The Dutch women have had a successful start to the European Championship. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

Miedema's anniversary goal redeems the Dutch against Wales

Thanks in part to Vivianne Miedema's 100th international goal, the Dutch women started the European Football Championship with a clear victory

July 05, 2025

From: dpa

In Group D, the 2017 European champions prevailed 3-0 against underdogs and newcomers to the European Championship, Wales, in Lucerne. The 28-year-old captain, Miedema, now at Manchester City, scored the decisive 1-0 goal shortly before halftime (45th + 3') with a fine curling shot from 17 meters. Victoria Pelova (48th minute) and Esmee Brugts (57th minute) added further goals for the team of former Bundesliga coach Andries Jonker.

The confident performance should, for the time being, dispel any doubts that arose after the 0-4 defeat in the penultimate Nations League match against Germany. However, against a compact Welsh defense, the 2019 World Cup runners-up, wearing their light blue away kit, only found their stride after Miedema's goal.
Two goals and two hits on the crossbar

Andries Jonker, coach of the Dutch women's team. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

Pelova and Brugts converted their at times overwhelming superiority into further goals, with former Bundesliga players Jill Roord and Jackie Groenen also hitting the crossbar. After that, the Dutch barely did more than necessary, but were in control throughout. Their other group opponents are England and France.

For Jonker, who once coached VfL Wolfsburg and, on an interim basis, FC Bayern, the European Championship will be his last tournament as coach of the "Oranje Leeuwinnen" for the time being. The association did not want to extend the 62-year-old's contract.