Ceri Holland: The Wales Euro 2025 Winner
Wales midfielder Ceri Holland, the Wales Euro 2025 winner, expressed her joy after scoring what she described as the “most important goal” of her career during Wales’ Euro 2025 play-off semi-final victory over Slovakia. Holland’s decisive strike came just eight minutes before the end of extra time, sealing a dramatic comeback for Wales. The team had trailed 2-1 from the first leg, having been down 2-0 at one point, but they fought back to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Reflecting on her goal, Holland stated, “I think I’ve just scored the most important goal of my career. The fans were incredible, but Slovakia made it really difficult for us tonight.” She emphasized the significance of this triumph, saying, “It’s everyone’s dream in this group to make a major tournament for our country. We’re on the cusp of it now, but there’s still plenty of work to do.”
Holland’s determination and spirit resonate with the wider ethos of the Welsh team. “We are Welsh people, we are fighters. We wear the dragon on our heart,” she asserted. Despite a rocky start in the first leg, Holland and her teammates engaged in tough conversations to regroup and deliver a more focused performance in the second leg.
Rhian Wilkinson Praises Ceri Holland and Team Resilience
Wales’ head coach Rhian Wilkinson also lauded Ceri Holland and the team’s resilience, expressing pride in their performance. “I’m exhausted. The players gave everything they had. I am a proud coach,” she said. Wilkinson noted that the manner of Wales’ win would serve as a crucial learning experience as they aim for their first major finals.
Wilkinson highlighted the contributions of team veteran Jess Fishlock, who returned from a six-week injury layoff to play the full 120 minutes. Fishlock scored Wales’ first goal and displayed remarkable tenacity despite her recent struggles with fitness. “Our performance was epitomized by Jess Fishlock, who collapsed at the end of the game and had nothing left to give,” Wilkinson remarked.
The coach admitted, “I apologized for keeping her on… but there was no way I was taking her off. She is the ultimate team player.” Fishlock’s dedication and performance encapsulated the spirit of the Welsh team as they now look forward to facing the Republic of Ireland in the play-off final.
With this victory, Wales is closer than ever to qualifying for a major tournament, igniting hope and excitement among fans and players alike. For ongoing updates on Ceri Holland and Wales’ journey in the Euro 2025 qualifiers, visit BBC Sports and explore detailed analyses at Eurasia Sports.
