Vivianne Miedema hits century as Dutch sink Wales 3-0

Vivianne Miedema became the headline act of Euro 2025 qualifying on Friday night, scoring her landmark 100th international goal to spearhead the Netherlands’ commanding 3-0 victory over debutants Wales in Heerenveen.

Vivianne Miedema’s milestone lights up Euro opener

The Dutch No.9 needed only seven minutes to etch her name into history. Springing the offside trap, Vivianne Miedema coolly steered Esmee Brugts’ angled pass beyond goalkeeper Olivia Clark and wheeled away to raucous celebrations inside the Abe Lenstra Stadion. The strike drew her level with Brazilian icon Marta on the all-time international scoring charts and gave the Oranje Leeuwinnen the perfect platform from which to dominate.

Ruthless Netherlands overpower inexperienced Wales

While Gemma Grainger’s Wales side arrived buzzing on the back of reaching their first major women’s tournament, the gulf in quality quickly became apparent. Dominique Janssen thundered a 25-yard free-kick against the bar before Brugts doubled the lead on 27 minutes, clipping a clever finish after terrific work by Jill Roord down the right. The hosts monopolised possession—72% by half-time—constantly stretching Wales with slick rotation in midfield and aggressive overlapping runs from full-backs Lynn Wilms and Kerstin Casparij.

Miedema the orchestrator as well as the finisher

After the break, Vivianne Miedema dropped deeper to dictate play, demonstrating the evolution of her game since rupturing her ACL in 2022. Her disguised reverse pass released Roord, whose low cross was turned home by substitute Fenna Kalma to seal the points. Miedema’s spatial awareness and quick exchanges repeatedly carved Wales open, underlining why coach Andries Jonker reinstated her as the team’s tactical fulcrum.

Wales’ bright moments fail to yield reward

Credit is due to Wales for flashes of resilience. Jess Fishlock, earning cap No. 150, almost clawed a goal back with a curling effort that Sari van Veenendaal tipped onto the post. Centre-back Rhiannon Roberts marshalled a stretched defence with admirable resolve, and teenage winger Carrie Jones offered dynamism on the counter. Yet without injured striker Kayleigh Green, the visitors lacked a decisive cutting edge to convert rare opportunities.

Statistical snapshot

• Vivianne Miedema: 1 goal, 2 key passes, 85% pass accuracy
• Netherlands shots: 22 (10 on target); Wales shots: 6 (2 on target)
• Possession: Netherlands 68% – 32% Wales
• Kalma’s goal was her fourth in five international appearances

What the managers said

Jonker lauded his centurion striker: “Vivianne Miedema embodies our philosophy—intelligent movement, ruthless finishing and an unselfish willingness to create for others. Reaching 100 goals at 27 is astonishing.” Grainger remained upbeat: “We’ve taken a tough lesson from an elite side. The players will absorb it and grow; our Euro journey has only just begun.”

Group outlook and what’s next

The Netherlands, chasing back-to-back European crowns after triumphing in 2017, top Group A ahead of England and France, whose clash ended 1-1. A trip to Wembley to face England now awaits, where Vivianne Miedema will relish the chance to add to her phenomenal haul. Wales return to Cardiff to host France, aiming to register their first points and prove they belong among Europe’s elite.

How Vivianne Miedema reached 100: a timeline

1. Debut goal v. Switzerland (August 2013)
2. Hat-trick v. Belgium propels Netherlands to 2015 World Cup
3. Golden Boot at Euro 2017 with four goals, including two in final
4. Breaks Netherlands scoring record (60) aged just 22
5. Century completed tonight against Wales

Legacy beyond goals

Off the pitch, Vivianne Miedema continues to champion equal pay and visibility for women’s football. Her century is likely only the halfway point of an extraordinary career, but its symbolic weight will inspire the next generation of Dutch talent—many of whom cheered from the stands wearing her No. 9 shirt.

Our verdict

Wales deserved their moment on the big stage, yet the night belonged to Vivianne Miedema. Milestone goals often carry tension, but she dispatched hers with the composure of a player who lives for pressure. If she stays fit, the Netherlands remain genuine contenders to reclaim their European crown.

Opinion: Watching Miedema glide across the pitch felt like witnessing a masterclass in modern forward play—intelligent, economical and lethal. Her 100th goal doesn’t just pad a record; it sends a warning shot to every defence in Europe that she’s fully back and perhaps better than ever.