I’ll leave you with Louise Taylor’s report from Switzerland…
That’s all from me! Head over to join Scott Murray as he guides you through France v England.
Next up for both teams, with games to be played on Wednesday:
England v Netherlands
France v Wales
Wales midfielder Jess Fishlock tells BBC Sport: “To concede just before half-time and then so quickly after half-time... probably lapses of concentration and at this level, you switch off and you get punished.
“We are probably going to be a little bit disappointed in ourselves that we didn’t get in and regroup the way we normally do. But this is the level and we have to get used to it real fast.
“What I do know is that we are going to regroup and get better as this tournament goes on. I think we have learned we can’t switch off and we have to be better on the ball. At this level you have to keep the ball and move the ball and create space. We’ll figure it out.”
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson tells BBC Sport: “It was a tough game. We know we’re in a hard group but, equally, it’s about Wales showing up and showing who we are as a team and a country. Getting into the half at 0-0 would have gone a long way. In the second half, that quick goal definitely hurt us.
“We’re going to have to grow and learn from this. We’re looking forward to the next game now.”
Team news is in for France v England. Lauren James starts for the Lionesses, replacing Ella Toone in midfield.
France: Peyraud-Magnin, de Almeida, Lakrar, Sombath, Bacha, Karchaoui, Jean-Francois, Geyoro, Baltimore, Katoto, Cascarino.
Subs: Lerond, Samoura, Toletti, Malard, Majri, Diani, Mateo, Gago, Mbock, N’Dongala, Bogaert, Picaud.
England: Hampton, Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter, James, Walsh, Stanway, Mead, Russo, Hemp.
Subs: Moorhouse, Charles, Toone, Le Tissier, Clinton, Morgan, Agyemang, Kelly, Beever-Jones, Park, Wubben-Moy, Keating.
Here’s a look at THAT Miedema goal…
Vivianne Miedema! 💯
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 5, 2025
That's her 100th goal for her country.
Right on the stroke of half-time. #WEuro2025 #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/pxN5oDiOFk
Wales can take a few positives from that – namely the first half performance. Rhian Wilkinson’s side defended well and showed good organisation for the first 45 minutes, but that moment of magic from Vivianne Miedema changed everything. Wales were unable to respond after that and the game was decided when Victoria Pelova got the second. Esmee Brugts’ goal was the icing on the cake for Netherlands.
FULL-TIME: Wales 0-3 Netherlands
It’s a comfortable win for Netherlands in Lucerne.
90+2 min: Netherlands have a corner and the ball is sent straight into the box. Roberts heads it away, but only as far as Groenen just outside the area. The midfielder goes for the shot and, although the contact isn’t great, it bounces through everyone in the box and almost catches Clark out. It just runs wide in the end.
90+1 min: Five minutes have been added on.
89 min: Wales are still pushing for a goal. Woodham attempts a cross from the left, but it flies behind for a goal kick.
86 min: Netherlands break forward in numbers as Pelova plays the ball inside from the left to Beerensteyn who passes it back out to Grant on the right. The winger goes for the shot, with her effort on target, but Woodham gets there to make a goal-line clearance.
83 min: Beerensteyn puts the ball in the net from a ridiculously tight angle, but the flag is up! What a strike nevertheless.
81 min: A substitution for Netherlands now as Caitlin Dijkstra replaces Buurman.
79 min: Another change for Wales as Carrie Jones replaces Holland.
76 min: Holland is down and in some discomfort. Looks like it could be cramp.
74 min: Beerensteyn gets her first chance at goal after receiving a through ball. She goes to shoot just inside the box and forces a great save from Clark before her effort hits the side netting.
71 min: Another two changes for Netherlands. Goalscorers Brugts and Miedema are replaced by Sherida Spitse and Lineth Beerensteyn.
70 min: The ball is sent to Grant on the right, who carries it into the box before shooting, but her effort is dragged just wide.
67 min: Holland does well to keep the ball in on the right before making her way into the box. She weaves her way through some blue shirts before taking one too many touches and running it out for a goal kick.
64 min: Netherlands have also made two changes, with Van de Donk replaced by Chasity Grant and Casparij making way for Lynn Wilms.
63 min: Wales make a triple change, with Fishlock replaced by Rachel Rowe, Cain making way for Ffion Morgan and Kayleigh Barton on for Green.
60 min: I have to say, just a few seconds before that goal from Brugts, Groenen almost scored the goal of the tournament so far. The midfielder unleashed a fantastic strike from around 30 yards out and smashed the crossbar with her effort.
58 min: Pelova receives the ball just outside the box and sends a looping cross to Brugts at the back post, who taps it in to make it three.
Wales 0-3 Netherlands (Esmee Brugts, 57)
Brugts makes it three and that’s surely the points wrapped up now!
Updated
55 min: With a two-goal advantage, Netherlands are looking even more comfortable on the ball now. They have no problem in playing it around the back for the time being.
52 min: That goal has really put a spring in Miedema’s step. The forward turns Roberts before playing a fantastic curling pass to Roord in the centre with the outside of her boot. The midfielder goes for goal but rattles the woodwork again!
51 min: The worst possible end to the first half for Wales was then followed by the worst possible start to the second. The Red Dragons have a mountain to climb now.
49 min: A long ball is played over the Wales defence and through to Van de Donk on the right, who squares it across to Pelova near the penalty spot. The Arsenal star then drills her shot past Clark and into the bottom-left corner.
GOAL! Wales 0-2 Netherlands (Victoria Pelova, 48)
Pelova makes it two!
Updated
46 min: Wales made a change at the break, with Ella Powell replacing Morgan.
KICK-OFF: Wales 0-1 Netherlands
We’re back under way!
That was Vivianne Miedema’s 100th goal for Netherlands. Unstoppable.
𝐆reatest 𝐆oalscorer. 💯🇳🇱
— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 5, 2025
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒: Legendary number for a legendary player. 🌟#NothingLikeOranje #PoweredByGASSAN | @gassandiamonds pic.twitter.com/Cwjx6xFEkb
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Despite the current scoreline, Wales should be proud of that first-half performance. They were very well-organised and defensively solid up until added time. The Red Dragons are not out of this one yet, far from it.
HALF-TIME: Wales 0-1 Netherlands
Netherlands lead at the break thanks to a magic moment from Miedema.
45+4 min: She hadn’t had the best match up until that point, but all Miedema needs is one moment of magic.
The forward receives the ball from Van de Donk on the left, just outside the box, before dropping her shoulder TWICE and unleashing a spectacular strike into the top-right corner. Absolutely brilliant.
A huge gut punch for Wales, however.
GOAL! Wales 0-1 Netherlands (Vivianne Miedema, 45+3)
Wow. What a stunning strike from Miedema!
Updated
45+1 min: We’re into three minutes of added time.
44 min: Wales attempt to replicate something from the training ground with that corner as Holland plays the ball short to Fishlock, who passes out to Woodham, but the full-back’s effort flies over the crossbar.
42 min: Green attempts an audacious shot from just outside the box, forcing a sliding challenge from Brugts, who deflects the ball behind for a corner.
41 min: There is a brief pause in play after Holland gets the ball to the face following an attempted clearance from Brugts. The Wales star is able to play on.
38 min: Another long ball is played over to Miedema, who takes a heavy touch before sending a pass back across goal. There is nobody there to meet it, but the flag is up anyway.
35 min: Janssen plays a long ball over the Wales defence and Evans attempts to head it clear, only for it to fall to the feet of Roord. The Dutch midfielder, who is playing on the left wing, goes for goal and rattles the post with a thunderous shot. The best chance of the match by far.
Updated
32 min: Netherlands break forward and Roord looks to make a cross, but her effort is intercepted by James.
It comes back out to Pelova, who looks to cross in again, but another interception is made.
30 min: Brugts plays a long ball over the Wales defence and through to Miedema, who breaks into the box. The forward looks to cut inside but Evans tracks back to make the tackle.
28 min: Holland quickly jumps in to steal the ball from Kaptein in midfield and wins a foul in the process.
Updated
25 min: Wales have a free-kick following a foul on James from Janssen. The ball is sent straight into the box and Evans brings it down before attempting to play it back across, but her pass is wayward.
24 min: Woodham is booked for time wasting while taking a throw.
22 min: Van de Donk looks to play forward but Evans intercepts her pass. The Wales defence has been solid so far.
20 min: Wales start to press forward through Holland on the right, who looks to cross but her effort is intercepted and Netherlands can clear.
17 min: There’s almost a game of pinball happening in the box as several Wales players are forced into making a series of blocks from multiple shots just in front of goal. Netherlands can’t seem to get through.
16 min: Miedema makes her way into the box now, turning sharply before going for goal. Her effort is blocked and Wales can clear.
15 min: The ball is played through to Van de Donk in the Wales box, but Morgan gets across to put the challenge in.
12 min: Kaptein loses the ball to James in midfield and the Wales captain plays it forward to Fishlock, who goes wide to Holland. The forward then sends a cross deep into the box, but there’s just a bit too much on it for Morgan to reach.
10 min: Pelova turns away from James in midfield before looking to play Miedema through, but her pass is cut out by Evans.
8 min: Brugts passes the ball to Miedema in the box, who looks to take it with the outside of her boot. The forward’s touch is a bit too heavy and Evans can shield it for a goal kick.
5 min: Chance for Netherlands as Roord tests Clark with a shot from the left of the box. The Wales goalkeeper punches the ball up without clearing and Pelova comes flying in to go for goal, but Clark can eventually scramble it away.
Updated
4 min: Wales haven’t really had the chance to sit comfortably with the ball yet. The possession is all Netherlands’ so far.
1 min: Wales kick-off, but Netherlands come flying out of the blocks with Groenen rapidly tracking down a back pass. She is unable to win possession, however, and the Red Dragons deal with it well.
Updated
KICK-OFF
We’re under way in Lucerne!
Updated
Both teams will now take part in a moment of silence before kick-off to pay tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who both died in a tragic car accident on Thursday.
Updated
The Welsh players are singing their national anthem with such passion, you can really tell just how much it means to each and every one of them to be here. Incredible.
The teams are out. The national anthems are about to be sung…
Matt Dony has a message for Wales…
“Dewch ymlaen, ferched! Ysgrifennwch stori newydd. Rydyn ni i gyd y tu ôl i chi, ac rydyn ni i gyd yn gyffrous!
Nothing offensive, I promise! ‘Come on, ladies. Write a new story. We’re all behind you, and we’re all excited!’”
The Dutch fans are just great, aren’t they?
Lucerne = 𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗝𝗘! 🤯🧡#NothingLikeOranje #WEURO2025 #YoureInvited pic.twitter.com/SwLnDev9oL
— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 5, 2025
We have the legendary Chelsea manager, WSL icon and United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes on board as a columnist this month. Here is what she had to say in her column this week…
Sophie Ingle defied the odds to return from an ACL injury just in time to make the Wales squad for Euro 2025. The 33-year-old midfielder tore her cruciate ligament during a pre-season friendly against Feyenoord last September. She was subsequently sidelined for the entire 2024-25 season but did enough in training to impress Rhian Wilkinson and persuade the head coach to give her a place on the plane to Switzerland. Speaking to ITV Sport about her return, Ingle said: “I’m just loving being back with the team, being back on the grass, feeling like a footballer again after nine months, it’s just really special. To be back with the girls after such a long time and spend proper, quality time with them, I can’t wait. It’s the Euros and we’ve never been before.”
“Lucerne is noted primarily for its majestic lake and gorgeous medieval city centre, but it is also a part of central Switzerland where gently rolling hills give way to jagged Alpine peaks. For Wales, this tourist magnet marks the potentially awkward junction between the heady optimism of an exhilarating journey towards their first major tournament and the reality of the formidable challenge posed by Saturday’s opening match against the Netherlands.”
Today’s match officials
Referee: Frida Klarlund
Assistant Referees: Fie Bruun, Heini Hyvönen
Fourth Official: Hristiyana Guteva
VAR: Momčilo Marković
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson insists her team can do “something special” in Switzerland this summer despite being the lowest-ranked side. Speaking head of the opening Group D match, she said: “When you watch Wales, you can expect to see a courageous team. A team that’s ready to compete with the very best in the world.
“I’ve inherited a team at the exact right moment for them to do something special. They’re a testament to all the people that came before and all the players that came before, and that my arrival was maybe just that kind of new coach at that right time who was able to ask them to do things that maybe in the past they weren’t ready for, and that now, they’re ready to try. My staff has done a great job at creating an environment where error is not punished, and it is a safe environment where we ask them to push themselves to the limits of their ability – because why wouldn’t we?”
Wales midfielder Jess Fishlock spoke to Louise Taylor last month about making history and cementing a legacy at Euro 2025…
Team news
Wales starting line-up: Olivia Clark; Josephine Green, Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans, Lily Woodham; Angharad James (C), Jess Fishlock, Hayley Ladd; Ceri Holland, Hannah Cain, Esther Morgan. Substitutes: Poppy Soper, Safia Middleton-Patel, Sophie Ingle, Kayleigh Barton, Rachel Rowe, Elise Hughes, Charlotte Estcourt, Lois Joel, Ella Powell, Carrie Jones, Alice Griffiths, Ffion Morgan.
Netherlands starting line-up: Daphne van Domselaar; Kerstin Casparij, Dominique Janssen, Veerle Buurman, Esme Brugts; Jackie Groenen, Daniëlle van de Donk, Wieke Kaptein; Jill Roord, Vivianne Miedema (C), Victoria Pelova. Substitutes: Lize Kop, Danielle de Jong, Lynn Wilms, Caitlin Dijkstra, Romée Leuchter, Lineth Beerensteyn, Sherida Spitse, Chasity Grant, Renate Jansen, Katja Snoeijs, Damaris Egurrola, Ilse van der Zanden.
If you’re checking out our Wales page, you might as well also look at our Netherlands team guide to read up on Andries Jonker’s squad.
As we edge closer to kick-off, be sure to check out our Wales team guide to become acquainted with Rhian Wilkinson and her team.
Preamble
Hello, hallo and welcome to coverage of Wales v Netherlands at Euro 2025. For Wales, today is a historic one. It is their first-ever match at a major tournament, a huge milestone for the nation. Despite being drawn in what many consider to be the ‘group of death’, Rhian Wilkinson believes her team can do “something special” in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Netherlands have been in this position plenty of times before. They are no strangers to European glory, having won the competition in 2017 under the guidance of now-England manager Sarina Wiegman. When it comes to experience, Oranje certainly have the upper-hand. But, of course, anything can happen in tournament football.
Kick-off for this one is at 5pm BST – join me!
