Sophie Ingle Driven by Wales’ Historic Euro Qualification for Recovery

Sophie Ingle, sidelined since early September due to a knee injury, stated that Wales’ “incredible” achievement of qualifying for a major championship for the first time in the women’s team’s history serves as the most significant motivation for her rehabilitation from a severe knee injury. The 33-year-old Chelsea midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on 7 September during her club’s pre-season match against Feyenoord. This injury prevented Ingle from participating in the final stages of Wales’ Euro 2025 qualifying campaign. She observed her team-mates secure a 3-2 aggregate win on Tuesday, following the second leg of their play-off final against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. Ingle commented, “This is my aim now, I’ve got eight months to get back fit – as fit as I can – and hopefully be in with selection for this Euros.” She added, “Obviously it’s a daily grind but at least I’ve got an amazing aim to try and reach.” Hannah Cain and Carrie Jones scored goals at the Aviva Stadium, enabling Wales to secure their spot in next summer’s finals in Switzerland. This qualification follows previous unsuccessful attempts in the last three major tournaments. Ingle further stated, “It’s been so long in the seniors, 15 years, back-to-back campaigns and to watch the girls [qualify]… it was incredible.” She continued, “At the time when you miss out on campaigns and you watch the Euros or the World Cups that you’re not there, it’s tough as a player, individual, team.” Ingle reflected, “You think ‘little old Wales could be there’ but those learnings are so important for us as a group of players and staff, and the majority of the team have stuck together for at least 10 years now.” She concluded, “Obviously we’re adding a bit of youth in, a bit more experience into our team and to finally do it is honestly amazing.” Ingle expressed her belief that Wales’ long-awaited achievement of qualifying for a major championship will have a lasting impact as the women’s game continues to develop within the country. She remarked, “I think we’ve been fighting for so many years for so many different things off the pitch and then Friday night [in the first leg in Cardiff], to get a record crowd – we’ve been building for that for years and years, it doesn’t just happen over time.” Ingle further elaborated, “Now hopefully with us winning, us getting to a major tournament, that fan base is going to continue to grow, there’s going to be more girls and boys wanting to come to our matches and support us, and we’ll give back as much as we can.” She added, “It’s special, I think the women’s game now in Wales is going to skyrocket and I’m just so glad I’m a part of it, alongside many of my best friends over 10-plus years.” Ingle also highlighted, “It means so much to all of us, don’t get me wrong, but especially the likes of Jess [Fishlock], everything she’s done for Welsh football, for us as mates, team-mates over the years, just seeing how happy she is at the end of that game… I’m so glad we did it for her as well.”