Miedema brings up 100 international goals in Netherlands' Euro 2025 opener

Vivianne Miedema became the first player – male or female – to score 100 goals for the Netherlands as the Oranje began their Euro 2025 campaign against Wales.

Miedema, who entered the tournament on 99 international goals, scored the opener against Wales on Saturday after the Netherlands had struggled to break their opponents down.

Shortly before half-time, she twisted away from her marker twice just inside the box before curling a stunning strike into the top-right corner.

That took the Manchester City forward to 100 goals in 126 appearances for her country, who will also face difficult assignments against England and France in Group D.

Miedema is the 19th woman to score 100 international goals, but only the sixth European. 

Germany's Birgit Prinz (128), Scotland's Julie Fleeting (116), and Italy trio Patrizia Panico (110), Elisabetta Vignotto (107) and Carolina Morace (105) had previously achieved the feat.

Former Canada forward Christine Sinclair is the all-time record holder with 190 goals on the international stage, while seven players from the United States also have a century.

Only three male players have ever netted 100 international goals – Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo (138), Argentina legend Lionel Messi (112) and Iran's Ali Daei (108).

Miedema has scored twice as many goals for the Netherlands as the country's most prolific male players, with Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay netting 50 times each.

Miedema's landmark goal also took her to five in nine matches at the Euros, with her previous four arriving during their triumphant run under Sarina Wiegman in 2017.

She failed to net in two outings at Euro 2022, missing two matches due to a positive COVID-19 test as the Netherlands suffered a quarter-final exit against France.

Miedema is also the leading goalscorer in the history of the Women's Super League, netting 87 times in 117 appearances for Arsenal (80 goals) and City (seven goals).

She is five clear of her closest challenger, Tottenham captain Beth England, while her 36 assists are also the fourth-most in WSL history.

Miedema's partner Beth Mead – who she could face on matchday two at the Euros – leads those charts with 48, ahead of Katie McCabe and Lauren Hemp, who have 41 apiece.