France vs Cymru
UEFA Women’s Euros – Group D
Kybunpark
July 9th 2025
Here we go again, Cymru’s second match in the 2025 Euros. After taking on the Netherlands on Saturday it was the turn of the French tonight. This competition has already been a dream for Y Wal Goch, cheering on Rhian and the team in their first ever tournament has been a privilege.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrench Manager Laurent Bonadei made seven changes to the side that beat our neighbours 2-1 on the weekend, with Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in goal, Alice Sombath and Selma Bacha in defence and midfielder Grace Geyora keeping their places in the team. Cymru on the other hand made four change to the side that lost to the Dutch 3-0. Safia Middleton-Patel replacing Olivia Clark. Hayley Ladd, Hannah Cain and Rhiannon Roberts being replaced by Rachel Rowe, Kayleigh Barton and Ffion Morgan.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe match started with the French attacking from the off and the curse of the early goal against Cymru struck again. A French corner after 8’ minutes was flicked on to Clara Matéo, who controlled the ball on her chest and volleyed home to take an early lead.
Then five minutes later, the moment the country had been waiting for. The first Cymru goal scored in an International tournament and who else scored it but Cymru’s greatest ever player, the legend that is Jess Fishlock.
Embed from Getty ImagesCeri Holland took the ball down the left and cut into the box. Just as she was going to shoot, the covering defender managed to block the ball. Somehow the ball came back to Holland who, while flat on her back after the challenge, managed to cross the ball into the six yard box for Jess to slide in to score. After what felt like a four hour VAR check the goal was given and we got to celebrate again, hir oes i VAR.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnfortunately each half in this tournament isn’t exactly 45’ minutes long. Once again in added time of the first half Cymru conceded. Clara Matéo cut across the box and was fouled by Ceri Holland and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Kadidiatou Diani stepped up to take the penalty, Saffi Middleton-Patel managed to get a foot to the ball but unfortunately the badly taken penalty spun into the back of the net.
Embed from Getty ImagesThen sadly for Middleton-Patel an individual error 8’ minutes into the second half. In an attempt to play out from the back she played a 1-2 with Esther Morgan, but unfortunately she was caught on the ball by Clara Matéo who knocked it back to Amel Majri who curled it in to make it 3-1.
Hopefully, Middleton-Patel doesn’t dwell on this mistake. She is still a young keeper with a bright future.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe game was over ten minutes later when a cross from the right hand side by Kadidiatou Diani took a couple of deflections taking it past the keeper to be bundled home from close range by Grace Geyoro.
Yes it was another defeat by a three goal margin, but let’s be honest we are playing three of the best teams in the world who are experienced at playing tournament football, Cymru on the other hand are at the start of their journey and on the bright side we got to celebrate a goal in an international tournament.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere could not have been a more deserving player to have scored the goal as well, one of the greatest players to pull on a Cymru shirt Jessica Anne Fishlock MBE.