Wales suffer heavy defeat to crash out

Simon DaviesBBC Sport WalesChris WathanBBC Sport WalesFAWAfter a objective in opposition to France, Jess Fishlock was unable so as to add to her Euro 2025 tally on her record-extending one hundred and sixty fifth look for Wales.Wales’ Euro 2025 journey is over after a thumping defeat in opposition to England – however followers and former gamers had been left hoping it’s not the top of the journey.The Lionesses’ 6-1 win over Rhian Wilkinson’s facet confirmed Wales’ exit after a 3rd straight group stage loss.The consequence ensured England’s Lionesses progress to the quarter-finals the place they may play Sweden.However, regardless of the scoreline, Wales’ gamers had been informed they may maintain their heads excessive after an historic first look at a serious finals.Former striker Helen Ward stated the heavy loss “was not how we wished it to finish” however added “the Pink Wall remains to be behind them.”Ex-Wales worldwide Katie Sherwood added: “This was step one – however we do not need it to be the final time we qualify.”Wales – who’ve by no means crushed previous rivals England – wanted an unlikely 4 objective win to present themselves any likelihood of progressing to the knock-out levels.However these slim hopes appeared over after simply 13 minutes when Georgia Stanway scored from the penalty spot, earlier than poor Welsh defending allowed Ella Toone (two) and Alessia Russo to make it 4-0 at half-time.Beth Mead added one other after the break earlier than Hannah Cain smashed residence to present a packed Wales away finish one thing to cheer, though Agnes Beever-Jones did have the ultimate say with a sixth late on.Cain’s objective was a second to have a good time with the comfort that means a primary Wales objective in opposition to England in 45 years, one thing former ahead Ward referred to as “a second of historical past on a troublesome night time”.Getty ImagesMany Wales followers stayed lengthy after the ultimate whistle in St Gallen to salute the staff, with ahead Ffion Morgan ensuring she captured the second The consequence adopted a 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands and a 4-1 loss in opposition to France to finish a chastening first ever main finals for Wales’ ladies.However followers in Switzerland and at residence remained grateful for the expertise and the influence qualification may have.Angela Roberts, 40, from Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd, stated: “I am unhappy in regards to the match ending, however not I am not unhappy in regards to the staff or their efficiency in any respect. “They’ve achieved us all proud, they gave it their all. Sure there have been some errors and we may have been higher however we had a troublesome group and we gave it our greatest and confirmed what Wales can do. “The essential factor now’s for the gamers and the FAW to kick on and progress and ensure we’re right here at each Euros.”Aimee Palmer, 20, from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, watched the sport in Cardiff and stated: “I believe all these ladies on the pitch simply really feel like they’ve made a legacy for individuals in Wales.”They’ve left a legacy for girls’s soccer, and hopefully it’s going to develop.”Dylan Davies, 18, from Carmarthen travelled to St Gallen to observe cousin Angharad James captain Wales, and he stated he remained happy with her and the facet.”It was a bit unhappy to finish as we had been hoping to get maybe get a draw nevertheless it was a troublesome group and I am nonetheless happy with her and our nation. We have loved each single minute of it,” he stated. Dylan Davies from Carmarthen cheered on cousin, Wales captain Angharad James, in St GallenNikki Brewer of Aberaeron, Ceredigion, travelled to Switzerland for the video games and stated she hoped the looks on the most important worldwide stage would result in extra ladies taking part in soccer.”The entire environment was unbelievable,” she stated. “So many younger ladies had been right here watching they usually simply should be impressed. Even dropping, they are going to be so impressed.”Nikki and Karen Brewer from Aberaeron hailed the environment on the match, with Karen saying Jess Fishlock’s objective in opposition to France was the high-point for Wales fansWatching the match from a Cardiff bar, Mali Thacker-Elliot, 20, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, stated: “Even simply to see them rating one objective within the Euros is wonderful.”Girls’s sport had come to far up to now few years and to go and watch these video games has been a lot enjoyable.”Phoebe Williams, 23, from Cardiff, stated it was “an unreal feeling”, as she cheered on the facet from her residence metropolis.”I am so happy with the ladies for moving into the match. Clearly it is a disappointing consequence nevertheless it’s an enormous achievement for simply moving into the Euros,” she stated.”It is undoubtedly going to encourage the youthful era developing by means of the grassroots.”Gwion Jones, 23, from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, stated the loss was “a bit bit disappointing” however getting “one objective no less than in opposition to the English” softened the blow.”We do not have a lot experience in main tournaments, however it will likely be good to construct on this and do higher sooner or later,” he added.Phoebe Williams says it is an “unreal feeling” to see Wales’ ladies compete in a serious tournamentSarah Morris, 38, from Cardiff was on the sport with buddies and added: “I believe it is put a stronghold down. We aren’t trying again now – that is Welsh soccer going ahead.”Peter Barnes, 64, from Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, added: “They’ll study from it – they’re going to be again subsequent time and even higher. It was nice seeing so many little ladies and households within the crowd – it will likely be nice for girls’s soccer.”Katie Evans from Cardiff, Lisa Starkey from Pembrokeshire, Charlotte Armstrong from Pembrokeshire and Sarah Morris from Cardiff all spoke of their delight on the facet in St GallenEarlier, hundreds of supporters had combined within the Swiss sunshine within the official fanzone within the metropolis’s Marktgasse space.Competitors organisers confirmed Wales had bought all of their 2,400 allocation whereas England had bought 2,100, though it was anticipated there have been extra followers of either side serving to fill the 18,251-capacity Area St Gallen the place tonight’s fixture happened.Welsh Tradition Minister Jack Sargeant was amongst them and, earlier than the sport, informed reporters Wales followers had “taken over” St Gallen.”Switzerland is our residence for this sport and this weekend, and what higher approach to have a good time the primary time we have been in a serious match than to deliver the Pink Wales and Cymru to Switzerland,” he informed Sky Sports activities. England fan Vicky Morgan, 40, from Surbiton in south west London, had travelled to Switzerland with Welsh buddies Hannah Maddy, 39, from Barry and 43-year-old Jo McSweeney from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan.”We have been buddies for a really very long time. We met whereas at Cardiff College however nonetheless keep shut and have been in Switzerland for 2 days,” stated Vicky.”I used to be on the final remaining that we gained [England are the defending champions]. It was an immense sport and since then the sport has simply grown and grown.”It is nice to see so many younger followers watching the Lionesses. I am a instructor myself so it has grown the sport in colleges as effectively.”Members of the Wales ladies’s strolling soccer squad made the journey to St. Gallen to assist WalesAmong the estimated 3,500 Welsh followers in St. Gallen had been representatives of the Wales ladies’s strolling soccer squad.Jane Clemence, 58, is from Cardiff and had travelled with teammates Leanne Williams, 47, from Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Juliette Payne, who’s lived in Merthyr Tydfil for 27 years.Earlier than the match, Jane stated: “We have been to Sweden for the world strolling soccer championships final weekend representing Wales in several age classes. The over-40s received into the semi finals and the over-50s reached the quarter finals. It is a powerful three days – 25 minute video games, three or 4 instances a day.”We travelled throughout by practice and boat to get right here by way of Munich in Germany. You see the children going round with the women’ names on the backs of their shirts, we did not have that in our day. It is come on a lot within the final 30 years.”Further reporting by Bethan Bushell and Lena-Zaharah Mohammed