Euro 2025: Netherlands sparked by Miedema’s 100th goal beats Wales

LUCERNE, Switzerland (AP) — Netherlands great Vivianne Miedema’s 100th goal in international soccer was key to a 3-0 win over debut-making Wales at the Women’s European Championship on Saturday.

After Miedema’s injury-hit season, no one expected the all-time Dutch record goal-scorer to complete its opening game in the toughest of groups.

Those 70 minutes of Miedema were more than enough in a dominant win that gave Wales a tough lesson in its entry to major women’s tournament soccer.

The result and performance suggested the Euro 2017 champion — and 2019 World Cup finalist — was up to advancing from Group D. France won 2-1 against England, the defending champion, in the late game Saturday.

Miedema made her historic mark scoring with a delightful curling shot in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema, center, celebrates with her teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Euro 2025, group D, soccer match between Wales and the Netherlands at Allmend Stadion Luzern in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

“Special, very special,” Miedema told Dutch broadcaster NOS about the mark she eventually reached at age 28 after three years blighted by injury. Her 95th was scored in 2022.

The skill she showed to create the chance, by twice deceiving a defender when faking to strike the ball, seemed unlikely to that point. Miedema’s first touch had been heavy in the penalty area and she seemed to lack match fitness after so little game time at Manchester City this season because of knee and hamstring injuries.

Dutch surge

The Dutch were relentless in the second half, adding goals in the 48th by Victoria Pelova and the 57th by wing back Esmee Brugts.

It could have been more. The Wales crossbar was struck twice between the second and third goals by shots from Jill Roord and Jackie Groenen. Roord also struck a post with a first-half shot.

Netherlands’ Esmee Brugts, right, celebrates after scoring her side’s third goal during the Euro 2025, group D, soccer match between Wales and the Netherlands at Allmend Stadion Luzern in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

“This was a fantastic performance from the Dutch,” Wales coach Rhian Wilkinson said. “We have to make sure that those moments of lapses get fewer and fewer.”

Miedema’s exit let another recently injured star forward, Lineth Beerensteyn, return to action and the winger quickly looked dangerous.

Wales veterans’ debuts

Wales midfielder Jess Fishlock and Angharad James, who both play for Seattle Reign, made their tournament debuts in their 163rd and 133rd national team games, respectively.

“We have got to get used to this real fast,” Fishlock told the BBC, citing “lapses of concentration and focus” for the timing of conceding goals so close around the break.

Netherlands’ Esmee Brugts, center, scores her side’s third goal during the Euro 2025, group D, soccer match between Wales and the Netherlands at Allmend Stadion Luzern in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Wales captain James said first-game nerves could explain that “we looked a little bit sluggish. We’ll be disappointed with the result but I can’t ask any more of this group.”

Cooling down

The Swiss heatwave during Euro 2025 cooled a little to 81 degrees (27 C) for the 6 p.m. local time start in Lucerne. It still had an effect on Miedema.

“I told you already that I can’t deal with the heat,” she said in comments reported by UEFA. “I eventually started growing a bit (into the game).”

Wilkinson said the “really hot time in Switzerland” was new to the Wales players” “It’s not an excuse, we have got to figure it out.”

Netherlands players celebrate with their fans at the end of the Euro 2025, group D, soccer match between Wales and the Netherlands at Allmend Stadion Luzern in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Wiegman reunion next

The Netherlands next plays on Wednesday in Zurich against England, in a reunion with their former coach Sarina Wiegman.

Wiegman, who played 99 times for the Dutch, went on to coach her home country to that European title in 2017 and the 2019 World Cup final loss to the United States. Miedema, Groenen and Daniëlle van de Donk were starters in those teams and on Saturday against Wales.