**Wales Captain Angharad James Confident of Major Euro 2025 Upset Against England**
Wales captain Angharad James has voiced her squad’s determination to achieve the unexpected as they prepare to face European titleholders England in a high-stakes Euro 2025 clash in St Gallen. Although Wales find themselves at the bottom of Group D and are still searching for their first-ever victory at a major tournament, James insists her team are fully prepared to defy expectations and potentially derail England’s hopes of progressing.
Despite suffering defeats in their opening matches—first a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands and then a 4-1 setback against France—there is a quiet confidence within the Welsh camp. Speaking ahead of the decisive fixture, James was adamant that the pressure is firmly on their more favoured rivals. “All the expectations are on England to deliver. They’re expected to dominate, but within our squad, the belief is palpable—we’re ready for what will be a huge challenge,” she stated.
Matches between Wales and England are always fiercely contested, regardless of the sport, and the upcoming encounter is no exception. The historic rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation, with James expressing how much her team relishes these high-profile moments. “These are the encounters you circle on your calendar. Our growth from the first to the second game has been significant, and now we’re aiming to reach another level against England,” she added.
The previous match against France featured a milestone moment for Wales, as veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock, at 38 years old, scored Wales’ first goal at a major international women’s tournament. Her goal, which briefly put the Dragons level against a strong French side, marked a proud achievement, though the final scoreline did not reflect the competitive balance of the match. “It’s the small moments that define games at this level,” James reflected. “From the outside, a 4-1 result against France might seem conclusive, but anyone who watched knows we were in it for long spells. We’re committed to closing those fine margins.”
To fuel their belief, the Welsh squad have been revisiting a celebrated defensive display from 2018, when they famously held England to a goalless draw at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium. A significant portion of the current squad, including James herself, featured in that stalemate and are drawing inspiration from the gritty performance. She remarked, “You never forget the feeling of taking points off England. We’ve spoken about it as a group—even as the squad has changed and welcomed younger faces, that sense of pride remains.”
Wales’ Euro 2025 campaign has tested the squad, but for James and her teammates, the adversity is serving as additional motivation. “Every time fixtures like this are announced, you know you’re in for a physical, competitive battle, which is what you want as a midfielder,” she shared. “We’ve made great strides over the last two matches, and there’s still another gear for us to find.”
With England needing a win themselves to secure passage into the tournament’s quarter-final stage, the dynamics of the match promise a fascinating contest. The Welsh captain noted the sense of anticipation, underlining that her team will approach the fixture with both freedom and determination, unburdened by external pressure. “We’ll use the next 24 hours to fine-tune our preparations, physically and mentally. Whatever happens, we’ll give everything for the shirt,” said James.
This match holds particular significance, not just for Wales’ tournament aspirations, but also for what it represents in the wider context of the Welsh women’s football journey. The blend of youth and experienced players in the current squad speaks to the progress made in recent years, with the team determined to showcase their resilience and ambition on one of women’s football’s grandest stages.
As the whistle approaches in St Gallen, supporters from both nations will be watching closely to see if Wales can conjure another famous result in this age-old rivalry. Regardless of the outcome, James and her teammates are determined to demonstrate that Welsh women’s football is moving forward—one historic moment at a time.