
Jess Fishlock still believes as Wales throw Netherlands loss in the bin
Wales fell flat on their major tournament debut and sunk to the bottom of Group D following goals from Vivianne Miedema – her 100th at international level – Victoria Pelova and Esmee Brugts on Saturday.
However, the lowest-ranked team in the competition have no time to wallow as they head to St Gallen to take on a France side buoyant after a 2-1 win over England.
Fishlock, Wales' most capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, insisted a top-two finish remains in their own hands but only if they quickly draw a line under what happened at the weekend.
'I know us as a group, we will refocus, we will learn really fast and we're really excited to get back on the field on Wednesday,' the 38-year-old told BBC Sport Wales.
'If you're going to ask me if I still believe that (Wales can reach the knockout stages), then I will say, wholeheartedly, I still believe.
'The biggest message is not to dwell too much on the game and the loss. I think we really need to take what we need to take from it, move forward and throw the rest in the bin.
'That's my favourite saying: take what you need to take and throw the rest in the bin. It's not going to help you and if it's not going to help you, it's just going to hurt you.'
Fishlock was adamant Wales, who will be able to call upon Ceri Holland after she went down with cramp against the Dutch, will not be going out all guns blazing at the Kybunpark in order to prove a point.
'We don't have to win it in the first five minutes,' she added. 'We have to stay in it as long as possible and use the players that we have. We have some fantastic players that can cause damage to any team.'
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North Wales Chronicle
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an hour ago
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South Wales Argus
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At each stage England were faster to react and their six-goal total proved they were simply too much to handle for Wales. It represents the biggest margin of victory at the tournament so far, while Wales' goal difference of minus-11 is the worst on record in the group stages of a women's Euros. But Wales have reason to be proud While the performance left much to be desired on Sunday evening and saw Wales heading home from Switzerland, they have plenty to be proud of from their stint at the tournament. The debutants not only scored their first-ever major tournament goal to equalise early on against France, they managed to repeat the feat against an England side in their stride. Jess Fishlock's pass through to Cain demonstrated the levels Wales can rise to as she played the former Leicester player in behind with a perfectly weighted pass. Cain's finish was equally brilliant as she fired past Hannah Hampton into the far top corner with aplomb. For a first major tournament with a significantly smaller player pool than their opponents, they have not disgraced themselves in the 'group of death' and have given the travelling fans plenty to celebrate. A big win to secure progression from Group D! 🔒🙌 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 13, 2025 The Red Wall stands strong Despite travelling to Switzerland with a strong possibility that their side may not even win a match, Wales have brought the numbers for their first appearance at a major tournament. Nowhere was that more evident than in St. Gallen where red shirts flooded the city during the day before piling into Kybunpark for what proved to be their final game at the tournament. In fact, despite the gulf in expectations, the Welsh fans brought a 2,400-strong contingent for their allocated section, with plenty more spread out in the neutral seats, compared to the 2,100 sold for England's end. The red, yellow and green bucket hats were in full force, and the Welsh were in customarily fine voice with a goosebump-raising rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. The loudest roar of the night came in the 76th minute when Hannah Cain brilliant strike earnt a late consolation for Wales and gave the wall of red reason enough to commence celebrations.