MATCH REPORT | France 4-1 Wales: Les Bleues edge closer to quarter-finals in cruising victory | OneFootball

France saw off a spirited Wales (4-1) to top Group D and take a step closer to the EURO 2025 quarter-finals. Les Bleues need only a point in their final match against the Netherlands to secure their place in the knockout rounds, as they look for an end to their long wait for silverware.

France set an early pace and looked to hit Wales before they had time to settle. Les Bleues controlled the ball well, and it felt like only a matter of time before they would find the back of the net. Clara Matéo would end that short wait in the eighth minute.

The Première Ligue top scorer seemed to keep finding space behind the Welsh backline in the opening exchanges. She latched onto a pass slipped into the box, before firing a shot which Gemma Evans deflected wide. It felt fated that the resulting corner would find her, and her cleanly struck volley gave France the lead.

It would have been easy for Wales to capitulate, and it would also have been completely out of character. Five minutes later, with their first shot of the evening, Wales had the ball in the back of the net, as Jess Fishlock scrambled a poorly cleared ball past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

The noisy red wall was left to wait to celebrate a first goal at a major tournament. Ceri Holland was flagged offside in the buildup, but VAR overruled the on-field decision. France grew increasingly frustrated, their passes sloppy, and they struggled to find a way through an obstinate opponent. However, France would find their way back into the lead on the stroke of half time.

Matéo took control of the ball in the box, slipped past Evans and was brought down by a clumsy tackle from Holland. Kadidiatou Diani stepped up to the spot. She shot low and to the left. Middleton-Patel guessed the right direction, and her foot connected with the ball. But it was not enough, and the ball trickled over the line.

The game slipped away from Wales early in the second half when they were caught trying to play out from the back. Esther Morgan played the ball back to her keeper, which allowed Matéo to pounce. The striker stole possession and rolled the ball to Amel Majri, the midfielder fired from distance to give France a two-goal lead.

The France captain, Grace Geyoro, made it four in the 63rd minute with a simple tap-in. The midfielder the recipient of a cross from Diani that had tempted the Welsh keeper off her line and into danger.

Wales had a chance late in the game to halve the lead when Josie Green fired twice from close range but was blocked by desperate defending. However, that would prove to be The Dragons last chance to test a France squad that looks to have a point to prove at this Euros.

France: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin; Selma Bacha (Lou Bagaert 66’), Alice Sombath, Thiniba Samoura, Melween N’Dongala; Sandie Toletti (Sakina Karchaoui 78’), Grace Geyoro (Sandy Baltimore 75’); Melvine Malard (Kelly Gago 66’), Amel Majri, Kadidiatou Diani; Clara Matéo (Marie-Antoinette Katoto 75’).

Wales: Safia Middleton-Patel; Lily Woodham (Rhiannon Roberts 65’), Gemma Evans, Josie Green, Esther Morgan; Ceri Holland, Rachel Rowe (Carrie Jones 78’), Angharad James-Turner, Kayleigh Barton (Hannah Cain 64’); Jess Fishlock (Sophie Ingle 87’), Ffion Morgan (Lois Joel 78’).

GFFN | Nick Hartland