Wilkinson Declares Wales Ready to Stun England at Euro 2025

Despite all of the attention being on England before their encounter in St. Gallen this Sunday, Rhian Wilkinson made it plain that Wales is not simply going to the Euros to play.

Wales, who have failed to gain a point during their stay in Switzerland, is in danger of being ousted from Euro 2025. However, Wilkinson emphasized the importance of being at the tournament, viewing it as a remarkable achievement in itself. Though she wants to focus on the positives, the Wales manager also signified that her team isn’t going to roll over for England as they seek to make an impact in their final match.

“I don’t think many people within women’s football realize that we’re here for the first time and we’re here to make an impression,” said Wilkinson.

“Part of that is celebrating our firsts, like Jess [Fishlock]’s goal, which we got to celebrate twice thanks to VAR. These moments are crucial to appreciate. Countries that have the luxury of expecting to qualify regularly have forgotten what an achievement it is to reach the pinnacle of the game at these major events. These women have fought tirelessly for this chance, and I won’t let us feel like we’re just here to take part; we’ll continue to celebrate.”

Wales opened the tournament with a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands but showed improvement in their performance against a rotated France side. Even though France took an early lead, Fishlock’s equalizer in the 13th minute marked Wales’ first-ever goal in a major tournament, leveling the score against a team expected to excel at the Euros.

Despite a 4-1 defeat, Wilkinson believes her side can learn essential lessons from both matches as they prepare for the vital clash with England. “I want them to play with freedom and courage. We’ve talked about that consistently. I love watching this team when they find their rhythm,” she noted.

“That’s what we want to replicate again. Our fan base has been outstanding, and we are so grateful for their support, so the least we can do is show up and give it everything we’ve got. They’re on this journey with us and recognize they’re here to celebrate something historic. We’re aiming for a win.”

A win would be even more special if it comes over their neighbors England, considering the historic rivalry between the two sides. Although Wilkinson hails from Canada, she understands the intensity of competition with neighboring nations and has been careful not to let her players get ahead of themselves.

“I know about the grudge match with my neighbors [the USA],” she said. “We’re preparing like we always do. I haven’t allowed them to focus on the England game until we wrapped up the match against France. But for me, this is just another incredible challenge. I can’t ignore the history; I’ve read about it.”

“For these women, it’s about recognizing the rivalry without letting it become bigger than it needs to be. This is a wonderful opportunity for women’s football and for both nations to showcase their talents in front of our families.”