Sport Wales
Sport Wales
FAWWales’ Euro 2025 adventure is over after a thumping defeat against England – but fans and former players were left hoping it is not the end of the journey.
The Lionesses’ 6-1 win over Rhian Wilkinson’s side confirmed Wales’ exit after a third straight loss.
The result ensured England’s Lionesses progress to the quarter-finals where they will play Sweden.
But, despite the scoreline, Wales’ players were told they could hold their heads high after an historic first appearance at a major finals.
Former striker Helen Ward said the heavy loss “was not how we wanted it to end” but added “the Red Wall is still behind them.”
Ex-Wales international Katie Sherwood added: “This was the first step – but we don’t want it to be the last time we qualify.”
Wales – who have never beaten old rivals England – needed an unlikely four goal win to give themselves any chance of progressing to the knock-out stages.
But those slim hopes looked over after just 13 minutes when Georgia Stanway scored from the penalty spot, before poor Welsh defending allowed Ella Toone (two) and Alessia Russo to make it 4-0 at half-time.
Beth Mead added another after the break before Hannah Cain smashed home to give a packed Wales away end something to cheer, although Agnes Beever-Jones did have the final say with a sixth late on.
Cain’s goal was a moment to celebrate with the consolation meaning a first Wales goal against England in 45 years, something former forward Ward called “a moment of history on a tough night”.
The result followed a 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands and a 4-1 loss against France to complete a chastening first ever major finals for Wales’ women.
But fans in Switzerland and at home remained grateful for the experience and the impact qualification could have.
Aimee Palmer, 20, from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, watched the game in Cardiff and said: “I think all those women on the pitch just feel like they’ve made a legacy for people in Wales.
“They’ve left a legacy for women’s football, and hopefully it’ll grow.”
Earlier, thousands of supporters had mixed in the Swiss sunshine in the official fanzone in the city’s Marktgasse area.
Competition organisers confirmed Wales had sold all of their 2,400 allocation while England had sold 2,100, although it was expected there were more fans of both sides helping fill the 18,251-capacity Arena St Gallen where tonight’s fixture took place.
Welsh Culture Minister Jack Sargeant was among them and, before the game, told reporters Wales fans had “taken over” St Gallen.
“Switzerland is our home for this game and this weekend, and what better way to celebrate the first time we’ve been in a major tournament than to bring the Red Wales and Cymru to Switzerland,” he told Sky Sports.
England fan Vicky Morgan, 40, from Surbiton in south west London, had travelled to Switzerland with Welsh friends Hannah Maddy, 39, from Barry and 43-year-old Jo McSweeney from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan.
“We’ve been friends for a very long time. We met while at Cardiff University but still stay close and have been in Switzerland for two days,” said Vicky.
“I was at the last final that we won [England are the defending champions]. It was an immense game and since then the game has just grown and grown.
“It’s great to see so many young fans watching the Lionesses. I’m a teacher myself so it has grown the game in schools as well.”
Among the estimated 3,500 Welsh fans in St. Gallen were representatives of the Wales women’s walking football squad.
Jane Clemence, 58, is from Cardiff and had travelled with teammates Leanne Williams, 47, from Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Juliette Payne, who’s lived in Merthyr Tydfil for 27 years.
Before the match, Jane said: “We’ve been to Sweden for the world walking football championships last weekend representing Wales in different age categories. The over-40s got into the semi finals and the over-50s reached the quarter finals. It’s a tough three days – 25 minute games, three or four times a day.
“We travelled across by train and boat to get here via Munich in Germany. You see the kids going around with the ladies’ names on the backs of their shirts, we didn’t have that in our day. It’s come on so much in the last 30 years.”