Wales may be on the verge of bowing out of Euro 2025 following a 4-1 defeat to France, but coach Rhian Wilkinson voiced her pride with history-maker Jess Fishlock at the heart of that emotion.
At 38 years old, Fishlock became the oldest scorer in European Championship history when she found the net in the 13th minute in St Gallen, registering Wales’ first-ever goal at a major women’s tournament.
It was a moment that transcended the scoreline and gave Welsh fans a memory to treasure.
“She’s on the field, and she scores that goal, and everyone knows that is one of those moments that we should celebrate,” said Wilkinson.
“We should celebrate it properly, because they just don’t come around — these firsts — very often.”
The strike was initially ruled out for offside before VAR overturned the decision, confirming Fishlock’s place in the record books.
Despite conceding three more to a clinical French side, the emotional weight of that one goal far outweighed the defeat for Wales’ travelling supporters, who erupted in song and applause when Fishlock was substituted late on.
Wilkinson, visibly moved after the match, was emphatic in her praise for the Seattle Reign midfielder.
“I don’t think you have many players anywhere in the world who are such servants to their nation,” she said.
“She plays in Seattle. That flight is terrible, terrible, and she’s never turned down Wales, and she’s done it for years… and you know, she’s at the twilight of her career, and whenever she chooses to call it a day, she has demonstrated what it is to be a proud Welsh woman who will give everything to her country and to her team.”
Though Wales now require a miracle — a five-goal win over reigning champions England and for France to beat the Netherlands — Wilkinson remains focused on the bigger picture.
“I’ve never been prouder. This team, they just keep surprising me,” she added.
“To be that courageous and to show up against one of the best teams in the world… to score our first Euro goal, it was amazing. I’m very proud today.”
Wales always knew they were in a very difficult group, facing three European powerhouses in France, England, and the Netherlands.
But Wilkinson said the performance against France, despite the scoreline, marked a significant step forward.
“Results are secondary to performance, I say that all the time,” she said.
“I’d rather lose 4-1 and play and show courage than lose 1-0 and just sit and not actually give our fans something to cheer — and boy, did we cheer.”
Fishlock, who made her Wales debut 19 years ago — also in Switzerland — admitted the occasion meant more than words could fully express.
“I’m very grateful, and maybe after the tournament I’ll let that sink in a little bit more,” she told ITV.
“I’m really proud of these girls tonight. We were in it and doing exactly what we expected to do.
“I think the biggest learning for us in this entire tournament so far is in the little moments — we just have to be a little bit better. But we’re so close and I’m so proud of this group tonight.”
Captain Angharad James added: “I’m so happy for Jess, this was her moment. She’s worked so hard as an individual in the last 20 years, and I’m so proud she got her moment.”
"Wales is a minnow on the world stage and they've earned the right to be here and to represent our amazing country and now we get to see the difference.
“The difference between the top teams and where we're at.
For Wilkinson, Fishlock’s legacy goes beyond statistics or silverware.
“Her career spans the whole of Welsh history on the women’s side and we are minnows,” she said.
“We are at the very cusp of what we’re going to be doing in Wales with women’s football and Jess is leading that charge… and I am completely in awe of this moment and this group.”
