'My most important goal' - Holland thrilled by late Wales winner

Ceri Holland's extra time goal was given after a VAR review

Wales midfielder Ceri Holland says her winning goal in Wales’ Euro 2025 play-off semi-final victory over Slovakia is the “most important” of her career.

Holland’s strike eight minutes from the end of extra time capped Wales’ comeback as they fought back from a 2-1 deficit in the first leg – where they had trailed 2-0 – to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Wales will now face Republic of Ireland in the play-off final as they look to qualify for a first major tournament.

"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,” Holland told Match of the Day Wales.

"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.

"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.

"We weren't ourselves on Friday, we knew that. We had some tough conversations and put it right tonight."

'We found a way'

Boss Rhian Wilkinson believes the manner of Wales’ win will help them as they bid to qualify for a first major finals.

“I’m exhausted. The players gave everything they had. I am a proud coach,” she said.

“We found a way to figure things out, that is how great teams are made.

“Momentum builds and we'll learn so much from such a resilient display tonight."

Wilkinson felt Wales’ display was summed up by the performance of their most-capped player, Jess Fishlock, who played the full 120 minutes despite returning from a six-week layoff through injury.

Fishlock scored Wales’ first goal and completed the contest despite her previous injury, with the 37-year old collapsing to the turf at full-time.

“Our performance was epitomised by Jess Fishlock who collapsed at the end of the game and had nothing left to give,” Wilkinson said.

“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.

“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.”