Wales fans were given a moment to savour with a first ever goal in a major tournament - but it wasn't enough to earn a first win at Euro 2025.

Jess Fishlock ensured the 1,800 Wales fans in Switzerland - and many more at home - witnessed history when she drew Rhian Wilkinson's side level in the first-half in St Gallen.

But Wales - the lowest ranked side in the tournament - couldn't stop heavily-fancied France powering to a 4-1 win.

It leaves Welsh hopes of reaching the knock-out stages hanging by a thread as they take on England in Sunday's final group game.

But that prospect did not stop fans celebrating a landmark moment as they watched Wales compete at the highest stage.

Former Wales striker Helen Ward said supporters had every right to be proud.

"The fans are fantastic," she told BBC Radio Wales Sport. "They have sung their hearts out for the majority of the game.

"In Lucerne and again tonight they've been brilliant. They've enjoyed it, embraced the moment and supported these girls from the kick-off until the end - and they'll be proud of this team despite the scoreline.

"And they'll know this isn't the end of the journey, it's just the beginning."

France had taken an early lead before Fishlock - Wales' most capped international and record goalscorer - levelled the scores after 13 minutes.

But a penalty in the dying stages of the first-half restored France's lead, before they went on to score twice more after the interval.

Former Wales men's international Danny Gabbidon said the significance of reaching this stage should not be underestimated.

"Wales are starting another chapter now. To be here is a massive achievement. A proud, proud moment," he said.

"But Wales want to be here every time there is a major tournament. Wales want to be a part of it."

Wales play again in St Gallen on Sunday when they face holders England at 20:00 BST who - having beaten the Netherlands earlier on Wednesday afternoon - are not yet guaranteed to go through.

But Wales would need to beat the Lionesses by five clear goals if they are to qualify at England's expense.

Fans are expected to again attend in big numbers having made the most of the pre-match atmosphere in St Gallen's fanzones.

Although Wales were once again the underdogs - as they were before Saturday's 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands in Lucerne - their travelling supporters had remained optimistic before kick-off.

"We've seen the French beat England, we've seen their tactics and we'll be up for it," said Jacqueline Davies, 64, from Aberdare.

"We're mega excited. We couldn't get to Lucerne but we're here for the next two matches."

Jacqueline travelled to Switzerland with her friend, Deborah Pagington, who was also with her when Wales beat the Republic of Ireland to secure qualification for Euro 2025 last December.

"We've been to Dublin and saw all the home matches," said Deborah, 63, from Newport.

"When we qualified, I was crying. That was an awesome night," Jacqueline added.

That win in Dublin was an historic moment for Wales, who had never before qualified for the finals of a women's major tournament.

It followed a journey that saw the national team not formally recognised by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) until 1993.

First Minister Eluned Morgan attended Wales' opening game against the Netherlands in Lucerne, men's head coach Craig Bellamy was in the crowd in St Gallen to cheer on Wilkinson's side.

Although qualification for the quarter-finals now looks difficult, reaching the tournament still has officials are predicting an explosion in the women's game in Wales, with more women and girls playing the sport as well as watching the national side.

Before the match, Lily Woodham's grandmother, Doreen Woodham, said she was "welling up thinking about it".

The 79-year-old from Cardiff said: "We're so proud. She's buzzing.

"They're determined. I don't care what the result is as long as they put in a performance and I'm sure they will."

"Since Wales qualified I've been really excited and every single night I've wished it was already time to go," said Harriet, 10, from Cardiff, who has travelled to Switzerland with her family.

"We've only missed two games in the last four years," said Rupert, her 12-year-old brother.

Their father James, 42, added: "It's absolutely massive for women's football.

"Harriet plays for Gwaelod Rangers, just down the road from us, and the numbers we've seen coming through there have been tremendous, a great increase. We're massively proud of Wales."

Helena Halios-Lewis who was born in Llantrisant and grew up in Barry, moved to Australia when she was two-years-old, made the trip to St Gallen with her family.

She said: "As soon as we heard they qualified for the Euros, we knew we had to be here.

"It's incredible - it's nothing like football in Australia, it's so different. It's an unbelievable experience."

Gareth Reid, 43 Llandysul, had hoped the team could celebrate a goal against France.

"It would be nice to have something on the line when we play England.

"This was always about coming out and performing, and putting our name on the map as with the men in 2016. Hopefully making this the first of many, not just a one off," he said.

Wales' preparations for the match had been disrupted the day before the game when their team bus was involved in a crash on the way to training at Arena St Gallen.

The FAW said all players and staff who were on the bus were uninjured, though an ambulance was at the scene attending to the driver of another vehicle.

The Wales training session scheduled to be held at the stadium on Tuesday was cancelled as a result, though the squad trained later in the day at their team base in Weinfelden, about 30 minutes from St Gallen.

The mother of midfielder Ffion Morgan reassured supporters the players were unaffected by the incident when she spoke to Radio Wales Breakfast.

"Our other daughter was on Facetime to her when it happened so we knew instantaneously what had happened," said Ruth Morgan.

"Nobody was hurt thankfully. The news was getting out and everybody has been a bit nervous, but everybody's okay and they continued to train yesterday."

Players were pictured smiling at training as they looked to cause an upset against a France side ranked 10th in the world - 20 places above Wales.

As well as those in Switzerland, Wales were cheered on by fans at home with watch parties arranged by clubs and communities throughout Wales.

FAW chair Alys Carlton said: "It's incumbent on us to use the momentum of Euro 2025 as a platform to drive further investment into the Women's game so that all girls in Wales have a chance - to represent their country on the world stage, but also just to play with their mates in the communities in which they live."