Vivianne Miedema has etched her name in the annals of football history by becoming the first Dutch footballer, man or woman, to score 100 goals for the national team. The milestone came during the Netherlands’ opening match of Euro 2025 against tournament newcomers Wales in Lucerne.
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Netherlands beat Wales 3-0Opened the scoring in the first halfIt was her 100th strike in Dutch coloursFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Wearing the captain's armband for the evening, Miedema led from the front. With the match locked in a stalemate heading into half-time, the Dutch forward found just enough space at the top of the box to unleash a shot that rippled into the net, giving her side a vital breakthrough. The goal not only helped the Netherlands take command of the match but also marked a moment of personal triumph for the 28-year-old, who has long been a pillar of Oranje’s success.
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Miedema's 100th goal also represents a powerful comeback story. She missed the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after suffering an ACL tear in December 2022, a devastating injury that sidelined her for a significant portion of competitive play. The gap between her 95th and 96th international goals spanned 22 months, a period marked by gruelling rehabilitation and uncertainty over her return to peak form. Adding to the remarkable nature of her achievement, all 100 of Miedema’s goals have come from open play, none from the penalty spot.
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Scoring 100 international goals is a feat few footballers ever achieve. It places Miedema in an elite group of global players who have demonstrated both longevity and elite scoring ability on the biggest stages. She will be back in action against the Lionesses on Wednesday in the next group stage encounter.