Wales have all but bowed out of their first major tournament following a 4-1 defeat to France in their second group game of the EUROs.

The loss, combined with last Saturday’s defeat to the Netherlands, means next weekend’s clash with England is the last hope for Rhian Wilkinson and her side to reach the knockout stages.

Despite the disappointment, there were huge celebrations from the Red Wall when Jess Fishlock (who else?) netted Cymru’s first-ever goal on the big stage.

It took less than 10 minutes for Wales to fall behind. After Angharad James’ botched clearance was intercepted by Clara Mateo, the French forward volleyed it past Safia Middleton-Patel.

Cymru were level just five minutes later, a moment heard all the way from Switzerland to Cardiff. Ceri Holland latched onto a brilliant through ball from Gemma Evans. Through on goal, a covering tackle denied Holland just as she was about to pull the trigger.

The winger, however, didn’t give up on the chance. With a faint poke across the box to an unmarked Fishlock, Wales had their historic goal.

Celebrations were briefly muted as the referee’s assistant flagged for offside in the build-up. But jubilation resumed when the goal was confirmed, with Fishlock sprinting to the Cymru bench and leaping into the waiting arms of her teammates.

For the second time in two matches, Cymru couldn’t hold on to go into the break level.

Ceri Holland brought down Clara Mateo, who had turned Gemma Evans in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Kadidiatou Diani converted the penalty, albeit unconvincingly, as Middleton-Patel got a touch with her legs, but the ball trickled over the line.

Any hopes of an upset were dashed eight minutes after the restart when Middleton-Patel’s attempt to play out from the back was closed down by Mateo, who turned provider by squaring to Amel Majri to slot home.

In the 63rd minute, things got even harder for Wales as Diani’s cross took a slight deflection, wrong-footing Middleton-Patel and allowing Grace Geyoro to finish at the near post.

Wales will now aim to spoil England’s hopes of retaining their title when they take on the Lionesses in their final group game on Sunday. Only a win by a considerable margin, along with a French victory over the Netherlands, will be enough to see Cymru progress.

Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’ Women’s European Championship campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this July for free on S4C and S4C Clic.

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.