NETHERLANDS ROMP TO VICTORY OVER TOURNAMENT DEBUTANTS WALES
Andries Jonker’s side got their UEFA Euro 2025 campaign off to the ideal start, beating tournament debutants Wales 3-0 in Switzerland.
The Oranje started the match on the front foot, dominating possession, but Wales kept their shape brilliantly, frustrating the Dutch and limiting them to very little.
Jonker’s side had their first real chance after 35 minutes, when the excellent Jill Roord pounced on a loose ball outside the box before firing in a vicious effort which rattled the post.
Wales continued to defend resolutely and with 45 minutes on the clock, it looked as though they were going to go in at the break on level terms. That was until they were dealt a sucker punch in added time, with Vivianne Miedema breaking the deadlock with what was her 100th goal for her nation. The 28-year-old faked to shoot on the edge of the box, giving herself a yard of space she needed before wrapping a sensational effort past Olivia Clark and into the back of the net.
The Oranje did not have to wait long for a second goal, doubling their lead just three minutes into the second half. Danielle van de Donk smartly cut the ball back for Victoria Pelova who was on hand to rifle her effort past Clark from close range, giving Wales a monumental task for the remainder of the match.
The goals livened Netherlands up, with the Dutch all of a sudden bursting into life, the two-goal cushion giving them the confidence to go and play freely. They almost had a third just five minutes after netting their second, but once again Roord was denied by the woodwork. On this occasion, she made a clever run to latch onto a through ball before lifting her effort over Clark but put just too much on it and had to watch her effort smack the crossbar.
Esmee Brugts wrapped up all three points for Netherlands just before the hour mark, ghosting in at the back post to get on the end of a Pelova cross, calmly stroking a volley past Clark and into the back of the net.
Up next for Wales is France on Wednesday evening, while Netherlands will take on England on the same day.
