Simon Davies
BBC Sport Wales
Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales
FAW
After a goal against France, Jess Fishlock was unable to add to her Euro 2025 tally on her record-extending 165th appearance for Wales.
Wales’ 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 group stage 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”.
Getty Images
Many Wales fans stayed long after the final whistle in St Gallen to salute the team, with forward Ffion Morgan making sure she captured the moment
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.
Angela Roberts, 40, from Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd, said: “I’m sad about the tournament ending, but not I’m not sad about the team or their performance at all.
“They’ve done us all proud, they gave it their all. Yes there were some mistakes and we could have been better but we had a tough group and we gave it our best and showed what Wales can do.
“The important thing now is for the players and the FAW to kick on and progress and make sure we’re here at every Euros.”
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.”
Dylan Davies, 18, from Carmarthen travelled to St Gallen to watch cousin Angharad James captain Wales, and he said he remained proud of her and the side.
“It was a bit sad to end as we were hoping to get perhaps get a draw but it was a tough group and I’m still proud of her and our country. We’ve enjoyed every single minute of it,” he said.
Dylan Davies from Carmarthen cheered on cousin, Wales captain Angharad James, in St Gallen
Nikki Brewer of Aberaeron, Ceredigion, travelled to Switzerland for the games and said she hoped the appearance on the biggest international stage would lead to more girls playing football.
“The whole atmosphere was fantastic,” she said.
“So many young girls were here watching and they just have to be inspired. Even losing, they will be so inspired.”
Nikki and Karen Brewer from Aberaeron hailed the atmosphere at the tournament, with Karen saying Jess Fishlock’s goal against France was the high-point for Wales fans
Watching the match from a Cardiff bar, Mali Thacker-Elliot, 20, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, said: “Even just to see them score one goal in the Euros is amazing.
“Women’s sport had come to far in the past few years and to go and watch these games has been so much fun.”
Phoebe Williams, 23, from Cardiff, said it was “an unreal feeling”, as she cheered on the side from her home city.
“I’m so proud of the girls for getting into the tournament. Obviously it’s a disappointing result but it’s a huge achievement for just getting into the Euros,” she said.
“It’s definitely going to inspire the younger generation coming up through the grassroots.”
Gwion Jones, 23, from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, said the loss was “a little bit disappointing” but getting “one goal at least against the English” softened the blow.
“We don’t have much expertise in major tournaments, but it will be good to build on this and do better in the future,” he added.
Phoebe Williams says it’s an “unreal feeling” to see Wales’ women compete in a major tournament
Sarah Morris, 38, from Cardiff was at the game with friends and added: “I think it’s put a stronghold down. We are not looking back now – this is Welsh football going forward.”
Peter Barnes, 64, from Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, added: “They will learn from it – they’ll be back next time and even better. It was great seeing so many little girls and families in the crowd – it will be great for women’s football.”
Katie Evans from Cardiff, Lisa Starkey from Pembrokeshire, Charlotte Armstrong from Pembrokeshire and Sarah Morris from Cardiff all spoke of their pride at the side in St Gallen
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.”
Members of the Wales women’s walking football squad made the journey to St. Gallen to support Wales
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.”
Additional reporting by Bethan Bushell and Lena-Zaharah Mohammed
