Ceri Holland Calls Wales’ Euro 2025 Play-off Winner Her “Most Important” Career Goal

Wales midfielder Ceri Holland has described her decisive extra-time goal, confirmed following a VAR review, in the Euro 2025 play-off semi-final win against Slovakia as the “most important” of her career. Holland’s goal, scored with eight minutes remaining in extra time, sealed Wales’ recovery. They overcame a 2-1 first-leg deficit, having initially fallen behind 2-0 in that match, to secure a 3-2 aggregate triumph. Wales is now set to compete against the Republic of Ireland in the play-off final, aiming to secure qualification for their inaugural major tournament. Speaking to Match of the Day Wales, 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. They made it difficult for us out there and to get the job done and see how much it means for everyone is incredible. 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.” She further added, “We are Welsh people, we are fighters. We wear the dragon on our heart. It’s sometimes about having a bit of composure but we never lack fight.” Holland also commented on their previous performance, saying, “We weren’t ourselves on Friday, we knew that. We had some tough conversations and put it right tonight.” Head coach Rhian Wilkinson expressed her belief that the nature of Wales’ victory will be beneficial as they pursue qualification for their initial major finals. Wilkinson remarked, “I’m exhausted. The players gave everything they had. I am a proud coach.” She continued, “We found a way to figure things out, that is how great teams are made.” Wilkinson concluded, “Momentum builds and we’ll learn so much from such a resilient display tonight.” Wilkinson highlighted that Wales’ performance was exemplified by their most-capped player, Jess Fishlock, who completed the entire 120 minutes of the match despite having recently returned from a six-week injury layoff. Fishlock not only scored Wales’ initial goal but also finished the game despite her recent injury, with the 37-year-old collapsing onto the field at the final whistle. Wilkinson stated, “Our performance was epitomised by Jess Fishlock who collapsed at the end of the game and had nothing left to give.” She added, “This is a sporting icon playing for Wales in front of her own fans. I apologised for keeping her on… but there was no way I was taking her off.” Wilkinson further elaborated, “She is the ultimate team player. She said if she had nothing left to take her off. I said ‘I will do what needs to be done.’ And I did that. I had to leave her on. She is phenomenal. I don’t take off Jess Fishlock in a game like that.” Highlights of the match, titled “Wales 2-0 Slovakia (AET): Highlights as Wales progress in Euro 2025 qualifying,” were also included.