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    Albania vs. Cymru | 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – WEQ League Stage – Grp B1

    Live

        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. WILKINSON ON CYMRU WIN

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to the media following the 1-0 win over Albania at the Elbasan Arena.

          “Today was a hard day,” said Wilkinson. “I think we struggled in moments of the game, but I am really pleased that we found a way to win.

          “I think that is the mark of a good team, that on off-days – and today was an off-day – we managed to figure out a way to get three points.

          “It is a hard group. We have to make sure we show up in every game and I think we learned that today, that there are no gimmes, no givens in this group. We have got to make sure we earn the three points.”

        4. Rhiannon Roberts is your EE Seren y Gêm

        5. MATCH SUMMARY

          Rhiannon Roberts proved to be the hero for Cymru as her opening half goal earned her side a vital three points to keep the pressure on Czechia at the top of the group.

          Rhian Wilkinson made two changes to the starting line-up that defeated Albania 4-0 in Wrexham on Tuesday night as Rachel Rowe and Hayley Ladd replaced Carrie Jones and Elise Hughes. Albania made just one change as Alma Hila came into the team.

          Czechia moved clear of Cymru in Group B1 ahead of kick off with a 4-1 win away to Montenegro earlier in the day. An issue with the playing surface at the Elbasan Arena caused a slight delay to kick-off, but Cymru quickly settled into their stride and enjoyed long periods of possession while Albania looked to play on the counter-attack.

          Megi Doci was a key player for Albania in Wrexham on Tuesday and hit the bar early shortly after Hannah Cain had tested goalkeeper Rajmonda Spahiu at the other end of the field. Cymru took a deserved lead on 28 minutes when Roberts opened the scoring as she capitalised on a cross into the area from Lily Woodham.

          Sophie Ingle captained the side on her 150th senior international appearance and was denied a goal by the flag of the assistant referee just before half-time, while Mared Griffiths almost doubled the advantage in added time, but her effort went narrowly wide of Spahiu’s far post.

          Cymru continued to ask questions of the Albanian defence with Mared Griffiths, Ffion Morgan and Ingle all going close to extending the lead. However, Albania remained dangerous on the counter, and it was Ilarja Zarka who struck the bar on the hour mark with a superb shot that had Safia Middleton-Patel beaten.

          Although Cymru continued to enjoy the majority of possession, Albania kept themselves very much in the match as they pushed for an equaliser with every opportunity. Only some excellent defending ensured that Cymru would hold onto their slender advantage, with Middleton-Patel denying Fortesa Berisha with a fine save.

          Albania continued to ask questions of the Cymru defence before the final whistle, but the visitors would hold on for what could prove to be a crucial three points in this qualifying campaign.

        6. Full-time verdict: A much tougher test than Tuesday night but another clean sheet and three points for Cymru with a hard-fought 1-0 victory earned through an opening half goal from Rhiannon Roberts. Albania worked hard and pushed for an equaliser right up until the final whistle despite Cymru having the better possession. A night that will be remembered for the result more than anything else for Rhian Wilkinson’s side.

        7. 90' + 2'

          Substitution

          Valenita Troka replaces Mikaela Metalla

        8. 90' + 2'

          Substitution

          Valenita Troka replaces Mikaela Metalla

        9. 90' + 2'

          Substitution

          POOLE Phoebie replaces CAIN Hannah

        10. 87'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Esther replaces ROWE Rachel

        11. 87'

          Substitution

          POOLE Phoebie replaces CAIN Hannah

        12. 87'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Esther replaces ROWE Rachel

        13. Safia Middleton-Patel collects the ball

        14. 84'

          Yellow card

          EVANS Gemma Jayne

        15. 84'

          Berisha tests Middleton-Patel as her header is saved at the near post.

        16. 83'

          Substitution

          Sara Begallo replaces Armela Tukaj

        17. 83'

          Substitution

          Gresa Berisha replaces Ilarja Zarka

        18. 83'

          Yellow card

          EVANS Gemma Jayne

        19. 83'

          Substitution

          Sara Begallo replaces Armela Tukaj

        20. 83'

          Substitution

          Gresa Berisha replaces Ilarja Zarka

        21. Carrie Jones controls the ball

        22. 73'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Elise replaces GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw

        23. 73'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Elise replaces GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw

        24. 71'

          Excellent defending from Evans to prevent Albania from counter-attacking. Cymru need to be aware of the danger.

        25. Hannah Cain has caused problems for the Albanian defence this evening

        26. 68'

          Jones has seen plenty of the ball since her introduction and could be key to Cymru extending their lead as Hughes prepares to come on.

        27. 61'

          Substitution

          JONES Carrie replaces LADD Hayley

        28. 61'

          Substitution

          POWELL Ella replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        29. 61'

          Substitution

          JONES Carrie replaces LADD Hayley

        30. 61'

          Substitution

          POWELL Ella replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        31. Lily Woodham carries the ball forward

        32. 59'

          Zarka hits the bar for Albania with a superb strike that had Middleton-Patel beaten. That was a huge chance for the home side.

        33. 57'

          Cymru are enjoying plenty of possession but Albania are looking increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack.

        34. Rhian Wilkinson gets her message across

        35. 54'

          Ingle shoots but Spahiu denies her a dream goal on her 150th cap. Cymru are pushing for a second but Albania are also asking questions of their own.

        36. 50'

          Morgan tests Spahiu with a cross that the goalkeeper has to parry away.

        37. The Red Wall. Diolch for your amazing support.

        38. 47'

          Griffiths tries her luck from the edge of the area but her effort goes wide.

        39. 46'

          Cain kicks-off as Cymru start the 2nd half with a one goal lead.

        41. Half-time verdict: Cymru take a deserved lead into half-time through a goal from Rhiannon Roberts after 28 minutes. Albania have proved to be a tougher test for Rhian Wilkinson’s side than they were in Wrexham on Tuesday night, but it’s the visitors that have enjoyed the longer periods of possession and created the better chances on goal overall.

        42. 45' + 2'

          Griffiths almost doubles the lead but her header from a superb cross from Ingle goes narrowly wide.

        43. 44'

          Cymru look in control of this one but they need to be aware of Doci on the counter-attack. There’s still just the one goal in it.

        44. Rachel Rowe has a shot on goal

        45. 39'

          Ingle so close to scoring on her 150th cap but the assistant referee raises her flag for offside.

        46. 37'

          Yellow card

          Alma Hila

        47. 37'

          Yellow card

          Alma Hila

        48. 31'

          Yellow card

          Arbenita Curraj

        49. 31'

          Yellow card

          Arbenita Curraj

        50. Ffion Morgan carries the ball forward

        51. 28'

          Goal

          ROBERTS Rhiannon

        52. 28'

          GOAL! Roberts with her second in as many games as she bundles the ball over the line from a cross by Woodham.

        53. 24'

          Goal

          ROBERTS Rhiannon

        54. 22'

          Griffiths testing the Albanian defence with her deliveries from a string of corners.

        55. Sophie Ingle in possession

        56. 17'

          Albania proving to be a tougher test for Cymru this evening than on Tuesday night as Cymru are awarded their first corner of the match.

        57. 12'

          Ingle tries her luck from the edge of the area on her 150th cap but Spahiu makes a comfortable save.

        58. The Cymru starting line-up

        59. 10'

          Chances at both ends as Cain sees her effort saved by Spahiu before Doci hits the bar for Albania with a shot from out wide.

        60. 5'

          Albania captain Doci was their stand-out player in Wrexham on Tuesday and will be the one for Cymru to watch closely in this one.

        61. 1'

          Albania get things underway in the sun at the Elbasan Arena.

        63. Kick off delayed due to an issue with the playing surface at the Elbasan Arena.

        64. Final preparations with kick-off fast approaching.

        66. All smiles ahead of kick off in Elbasan.

        67. Cymru cap 150 for Sophie Ingle. Incredible achievement by an incredible player. Llongyfarchiadau.

        69. TEAM NEWS

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has made two changes to her starting line-up for the return match against Albania.

          Rachel Rowe and Hayley Ladd both start while Carrie Jones and Elise Hughes are named on the bench.

          Sophie Ingle makes her 150th senior appearance and will wear the captain’s armband.

          Meanwhile, Albania head coach Armir Grimaj has made just one change from Tuesday’s match with Alma Hila replacing Leonora Dedgjonaj.

        70. WELCOME TO ELBASAN

          The Elbasan Arena in Elbasan is ready to welcome Cymru as Rhian Wilkinson’s side continue their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign against Albania (5pm).

          Team news will follow shortly with Sophie Ingle set to make her 150th senior international appearance. Keep checking back for live updates as well as all the post-match reaction.

        74. INGLE PRIDE ON CYMRU MILESTONE

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson and Sophie Ingle were on media duty on Friday as the midfielder prepares to make her 150th senior international appearance.

          “Playing for Wales is up there and probably will be the best thing I’ve ever done in my career,” said Ingle. “Obviously at club level, winning league titles and FA Cups is great, but there’s no better feeling than putting on the Welsh shirt and playing with this bunch of girls.”

          Wilkinson also spoke about Ingle and reflected on Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Albania in Wrexham. “Age is a measure, right – we use it a lot in football.

          “But performance and what you are able to achieve in physical outputs, as well as just the output in the game, would make Sophie one of our top performers.

          “Wherever she is in her career will be her choice, but I hope as a coach that all my best players keep playing for as long as possible.

          Cymru are currently level with Czechia at the top of Group B1 at the midway point in the campaign, with Czechia just edging top spot having scored away goals than Cymru.

          “I was really pleased with the performance on Tuesday because what we have been asking for,” Wilkinson added. “hey are working hard to deliver and I hope we are able to put in back-to-back performances like that.”

        76. INGLE SET FOR HUGE CYMRU MILESTONE

          Sophie Ingle is set to become only the second player in Cymru history to make 150 senior international appearances when her side take on Albania at the Elbasan Arena on Saturday.

          The versatile midfielder continues to be an integral part of Rhian Wilkinson’s side and will emulate the achievements of Jess Fishlock as the only other player across the men’s and women’s national teams to reach 150 caps.

          The 34-year-old made her debut as a teenager against Azerbaijan back in 2009 and captained the side for almost a decade before handing over the armband to Angharad James in 2024.

          “She’s the best team-mate you could have and she’s led this group for such a long time,” said James. “She’s just a great person to have around, both on and off the field.”

          Click here for more on Sophie Ingle from BBC Sport Wales

        77. MEET THE REF

          Dutch official Lizzy Van Der Helm will take charge of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier between Cymru and Albania at the Elbasan Arena on Saturday (KO 5pm UK). The 36-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2018.

          Martina Boer and Isabelle van Gilst are the assistant referees while Wendy Gijsbers is the fourth official. All of the officials are from the Netherlands.

        79. CAIN HITTING CYMRU FORM

          Cymru striker Hannah Cain heads into Saturday’s return match against Albania at the Elbasan Arena in excellent form with six goals in her last four senior internationals.

          “I’m loving it right now,” said Cain to BBC Sport Wales following the 4-0 win over Albania in Wrexham on Tuesday. “The way we’re playing, we create chances and we’re scoring goals.”

          The 27-year-old was also on target at EURO 2025 with a goal against England in the final group game and is now the leading goalscorer in the current Cymru squad with 10 goals.

          Cain is also the top goalscorer in Group B1 of 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying with five goals from the opening three games. “I’ve got to say thanks to my team-mates because they’re putting them on a plate for me,” she added.

        82. AS IT STANDS

          There is very little to separate Cymru and Czechia at the top of Group B1 in 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying as the League Phase reaches the midway point.

          Both nations claimed convincing victories on Tuesday night as Cymru eased past Albania 4-0 in Wrexham while Czechia scored five without reply against Montenegro.

          With identical records, Czechia currently occupy top position through the fact that they have scored more goals away from home at this stage of the qualifying campaign. Both teams now play away on Saturday as Czechia head to Montenegro and Cymru travel to Albania.

          “We play them in the last game of our group stage,” said Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson in reference to Czechia following Tuesday’s win. “It’s not about their scores, it’s making sure we take care of our own business.

          “When you force things, that’s not how good football occurs. So we take care of our own business and they will mind their own.”

        83. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

                P
                Gd
                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

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