Rhian Wilkinson’s side produced a spirited first-half performance but were ultimately undone by a clinical French outfit, who now top Group D with two wins from two.
France took the lead inside seven minutes when Clara Mateo volleyed home after Wales failed to clear a third successive corner. But Wales responded swiftly — Ceri Holland broke the offside trap and squared for Jess Fishlock, whose close-range finish was initially ruled out before being awarded following a VAR check.
Fishlock’s goal was not only Wales’ first at a major tournament, but also made her the oldest scorer in Women’s EURO history, aged 38 years and 176 days.
Wales matched France for much of the first half, showing composure in possession and threatening on the counter. However, a late challenge by Holland on Mateo gifted France a penalty just before the break, which Kadidiatou Diani converted — her scuffed effort trickling past Safia Middleton-Patel, who got a foot to it.
France extended their lead early in the second half when Middleton-Patel hesitated with the ball at her feet, allowing Mateo to steal possession and set up Amel Majri for a composed finish. Grace Geyoro added a fourth on 63 minutes, tapping in Diani’s cross.
Despite the scoreline, Middleton-Patel made several key saves to prevent further damage, and Sophie Ingle returned to action late on following a year-long injury layoff.
Wales must now beat England by four goals and hope France defeat the Netherlands to have any chance of progressing — a scenario Wilkinson herself described as “miracle territory.”
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