UEFA Women’s EURO: France Advances to Euro 2025 Quarterfinals with 4-1 Victory Over Wales
Updated Jul. 9, 2025, 6:54 p.m. ET
France is on track for the Women’s European Championship quarterfinals following a commanding 4-1 victory over Wales on Wednesday. Clara Mateo shone in the match, contributing to three of the goals. The Paris FC forward opened the scoring, earned a penalty converted by Kadidiatou Diani, and assisted Amel Majri for the third goal. France’s captain, Grace Geyoro, secured the win with a goal in the 63rd minute. This marks France’s tenth consecutive win in 2025.
Leading Group D with six points, France has a three-point advantage over both England and the Netherlands, while Wales sits at the bottom with no points after their first two matches in the tournament. England bounced back from an opening defeat against France by defeating the Netherlands 4-0 earlier on Wednesday. England is set to play Wales in their final group match on Sunday.
If France avoids defeat against the Netherlands in their next match, they will top the group.
Match Highlights
In the post-match comments, Majri, who was named Player of the Match during her first European Championship appearance, said, “Nothing is set. We know when we have a game, we play it to win.” Majri missed Euro 2017 due to injury and the latest edition in 2022 following the birth of her daughter casino 888 login. She expressed her excitement, stating, “I’ve always looked forward to playing at a Women’s Euro, so I’m really happy. It was a great performance as well from Clara Mateo.”
France’s Tactical Changes
French coach Laurent Bonadei opted to mix things up, making several changes to his lineup. Only four players, including the goalkeeper, remained from the previous match’s 2-1 win over England. Alice Sombath and newcomer Thiniba Samoura, both 21, formed the youngest-ever central-defensive partnership for France at a major tournament egames philippines.
Mateo put France ahead early with a well-placed finish from a corner big win 777 pagcor casino. jilicc.ph However, Wales quickly equalized in the 14th minute when Jess Fishlock, the team’s oldest player, scored the nation’s first goal in a European Championship, nudging the ball inside the right post.
Historic Welsh Celebration
In a record-setting moment, Fishlock, who is 38 years and 176 days old, became the oldest player to score in the tournament, breaking the previous record held by Northern Ireland’s Julie Nelson. Fishlock shared her thoughts, saying, “I guess I’ll take that as a compliment! I couldn’t get these accolades without my entire team behind me, so I’m very grateful, and maybe after the tournament I’ll let that sink in a little bit more.”
The celebrations from the Welsh squad were exuberant, and the goal seemed to momentarily disrupt the French players’ rhythm. It took a while for France to regain their focus. Then, in the 44th minute, Ceri Holland brought down Mateo in the box, resulting in a penalty 774 pub login. Diani converted the spot kick, which trickled in through the legs of Wales goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel just before halftime.
After the break, a mistake by Middleton-Patel contributed to France’s third goal, with Mateo stealing the ball from the goalkeeper and assisting Majri for the score in the 53rd minute. Geyoro capped off the match by netting France’s fourth goal after Diani’s cross evaded Middleton-Patel.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
What are your thoughts on France’s impressive performance in the tournament so far?