Wales's journey at the Women's Euro 2025 appears to be hanging by a thread despite the historic achievement of scoring their first-ever goal in a major tournament. The Dragons, placed in the daunting Group D alongside reigning champions England, former champions Netherlands, and formidable France, face an uphill battle to progress to the quarter-final stage.
In their opening match, Wales faced a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead, suffering a 3-0 defeat against the Netherlands. Despite a strong defensive effort in the first half, the Dutch side proved too strong, scoring goals on either side of the break.
The group is considered the "group of death". To advance in the tournament, Wales needs to secure a top-two finish in their group. With England and France also in Group D, this task is extremely challenging.
Adding to the difficulty, Wales will face France in St. Gallen. The team will also face England in the group stage.
Despite the tough road ahead, Wales's participation in the Women's Euro 2025 is a historic moment for Welsh football. After years of near-misses, the team finally qualified for their first major international tournament, sparking excitement among fans. Over 2,000 Welsh fans are expected to support the team in Switzerland.
The squad is led by captain Angharad James, one of four centurions in the team, alongside Jess Fishlock, Hayley Ladd and Sophie Ingle.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals. The knockout stage will involve extra time and penalties if needed. The winner of Group D will face the runner-up of Group C, which includes Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Sweden.
Wales's coach, Rhian Wilkinson, remains determined to see her team compete and make their mark on the tournament.