It wasn’t the finish she’d dreamed of, or the result Wales hoped for. But in St Gallen, on a night when France ran out comfortable 4-1 winners, one moment belonged unmistakably to Jess Fishlock.
From the outset, France showed their class. Clara Mateo opened the scoring in the 8th minute, volleying home after a flick-on from a corner. But within five minutes, that dominance was interrupted by the moment Wales, and indeed the entire stadium, had waited decades for.
In the 13th minute, Ceri Holland’s sharp play down the left ended with Fishlock poking the ball home. It was Wales’ first ever goal at a major tournament, and Fishlock became the oldest player at 38 to score in a Women’s Euros match. The initial offside flag was overruled by VAR, sending waves of joy across the Red Wall.
What followed was emotional and raw. Fishlock, Wales’ all-time top scorer and record cap holder, had waited 20 years for this stage. To finally deliver, that was ‘Rose of the Rovers’ territory. You didn’t need to be Welsh to feel the pride.
“We should celebrate it properly”
Emotion permeated every second. When head coach Rhian Wilkinson later said, “We should celebrate it properly… they just don’t come around, these firsts,” you understood the weight of what had happened.
Yet France responded before the break. A clumsy foul by Holland gave away a penalty, coolly converted by Kadidiatou Diani. Early in the second half, an error by keeper Safia Middleton-Patel allowed Matéo to assist Amel Majri, and later Grace Geyoro sealed the night with a fourth.
Still, Wales never gave up. The final three goals didn’t diminish what Fishlock had achieved. Though a 4-1 loss leaves them on the brink, needing a ten goal win over England plus favourable results elsewhere, it won’t erase the magic of that 13th minute moment.
Fishlock’s first major tournament goal is a landmark for Welsh football, and for a career defined by service, sacrifice, and sheer relentless spirit. As she was substituted late on, the appreciation was deafening.
And this was also a moment for Sophie Ingle, who replaced Fishlock. After battling back from ACL surgery after a year out, this was part of her tale too.
It was far from the storybook ending she might have penned. But that goal, that historic strike, is the kind of memory you live for. Etched deep into Wales’ footballing heart and legacy forever.
France, now on six points, seek to finish their group stage quest with a win against the Netherlands on Sunday. And thus, topping group D.
