Sponsor Logo

    Albania vs. Cymru | 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – WEQ Play-offs Round 1

    Live

        Live ReportMatch Summary

        5. Wilkinson also had praise for the travelling fans, saying: “I’d just like to thank our fans who travelled all the way here. It’s incredible. I’m always blown away by our support.”

        6. Cymru manager, Rhian Wilkinson reflected on the match in her post match interview with BBC Wales saying:

          “A win away from home. We stuck with it; we learn to win on hard days, and today, it wasn’t our best, but we found a way to be away from home and get the win. We’re halfway there, and we need to make sure we take care of our business at home, but equally, push our standards a bit.

          “I didn’t think we defended really well today, but we didn’t quit. I’ve been in this job long enough to have seen that growth with this team. We’re finding ways to stick in the game, and we’ve got to be happy with that now because we’re away from home and in an environment where they made it really tough.

          “I’m absolutely pleased that we managed to keep a clean sheet; we got the goal. Now it’s time to rest and recover, and we’ll go again on the 13th.”

        7. Sophie Ingle speaking to BBC Wales following the match:

          “The second half was tough; they put a lot of pressure on us. The first half was quite comfortable, but it’s always tough when you’re only a goal up going into the second half. We panicked at times, but we dug deep and managed to keep a clean sheet away from home.

          “We need a bit more calmness in possession on Tuesday night, and we need to kill their counter-attack because they’ve got a couple of fast forwards. If we have a bit more control going into the second half on Tuesday, we should dominate like we did today.”

        8. MATCH SUMMARY

          Cymru leave Albania with the advantage in this tie following a 1-0 win, but this was a difficult night for Rhian Wilkinson’s side and there will be another tough test to come in the deciding return match next week.

          The visitors made three changes from the side that defeated Czechia 3-1 back in June as Esther Morgan, Rachel Rowe and Elise Hughes came into the starting line-up. Hannah Cain, Cymru’s top goalscorer in the first phase of the qualifying campaign with six goals, was named on the bench.

          Wilkinson’s side went into the match having won both previous matches against Albania in April this year, and dominated the early exchanges as they enjoyed plenty of possession without creating any clear chances on goal on what was a difficult surface at the Loro Boriçi Stadium.

          Despite being in control of the match, there were some nervy moments before Cymru took the lead midway through the half. A misplaced pass from Angharad James almost allowed Fortesa Berisha to find herself through on goal, while goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel then had to be at her best to deny Ezmiralda Franja.

          Cymru took the lead on 21 minutes when a corner from Lily Woodham was deflected past goalkeeper Rajmonda Spahiu, with Albania’s Franja appearing to have the last touch. Mared Griffiths was playing in an unfamiliar position on the right, but twice tested Spahiu during the opening half.

          A physical contest saw Esther Morgan and Albania captain Megi Doçi involved in a constant battle, while Cymru could have doubled the lead when Rachel Rowe fired wide from outside the area. Middleton-Patel was called into action to save from Berisha in the final moments of the half, but Cymru were good value for their lead.

          However, it was Albania who looked the more likely to score after the restart with Fortesa Berisha having their best chance on 52 minutes. Following a save by Middleton-Patel, the forward then struck the post from the rebound. Qendresa Krasniqi would then have the ball in the net, but it was disallowed for offside in the build-up.

          The introduction of Cain offered Cymru a different dynamic in attack, and on 70 minutes she capitalised on excellent ball from fellow substitute Scarlett Hill but could only drive her effort wide of the far post. With Albania pushing for an equaliser, Cymru depended on the counter-attacking pace of Cain and Carrie Jones.

          The chances continued to fall for both sides in the final 10 minutes, with Hughes twice being denied by Spahiu while Cain again failed to hit the target with her second effort. At the other end, the impressive Fortesa Berisha should have done much better when she drilled her shot over the crossbar from close range.

          Hughes and Cain both had further chances in the final exchanges but they were unable to add to their advantage as Olivia Francis came on for her senior debut, and Cymru will now take a one-goal lead into the 2nd leg on Tuesday night.

        9. FULL-TIME VERDICT

          Cymru leave Shkodër with a 1-0 victory and a clean-sheet, but this was not a comfortable win for Rhian Wilkinson’s side against a spirited and determined Albania. An own goal from a Lily Woodham corner midway through the opening half proved to be the deciding moment in the match, but there were multiple opportunities for the home side to level, with the impressive Fortesa Berisha the most likely goalscorer. Elise Hughes was twice denied by the excellent Rajmonda Spahiu in the Albanian goal, while Hannah Cain twice missed the target. The two sides will now do it all again on Tuesday night with this tie still very much in the balance.

        10. 90' + 5'

          Substitution

          FRANCIS Olivia Seren replaces GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw

        11. 90' + 5'

          Substitution

          FRANCIS Olivia Seren replaces GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw

        12. 90' + 1'

          Desperate defending in the Cymru ranks. A nervy finish here at the Loro Boriçi Stadium.

        13. 90'

          Substitution

          Valenita Troka replaces Fortesa Berisha

        14. 90'

          Substitution

          Valenita Troka replaces Fortesa Berisha

        15. 88'

          Cain with another chance for Cymru to double their lead but her effort again goes wide of the far post.

        16. 86'

          Substitution

          Sara Begallo replaces Mikaela Metalla

        17. 86'

          Substitution

          Sara Begallo replaces Mikaela Metalla

        18. 84'

          Yellow card

          HUGHES Elise

        19. 83'

          That’s an incredibly brave save from Spahiu to deny Hughes what looked a certain second goal for Cymru.

        20. 82'

          Yellow card

          HUGHES Elise

        21. 80'

          Substitution

          JOEL Lois replaces JAMES Angharad

        22. 80'

          Substitution

          JOEL Lois replaces JAMES Angharad

        23. 79'

          Albania waste another huge opportunity as F. Berisha drives her effort over the crossbar.

        24. 78'

          A chance for Hughes after some excellent work again by Hill on her 19th birthday, but Spahiu makes a comfortable save.

        25. Gemma Evans carries the ball out of defence

        26. 70'

          A great chance for Cymru on the counter-attack, after a concerning spell for Albania, as Cain shoots wide of Spahiu’s far post.

        27. 66'

          Another scare for Cymru as Krasniqi has the ball in the back of the net but the flag had already been raised for an offside in the build-up.

        28. Mared Griffiths attacks the Albanian defence

        29. 61'

          A good spell of possession for Albania with captain Doçi central to all their creative and attacking play. Cymru need to back in control of this one.

        30. Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson looks on

        31. 58'

          Albania really pushing for an equaliser as Cymru make a double change. The home side have been lifted by that great double chance for Berisha.

        32. 57'

          Substitution

          HILL Scarlett replaces MORGAN Esther

        33. 57'

          Substitution

          CAIN Hannah replaces ROWE Rachel

        34. 57'

          Substitution

          HILL Scarlett replaces MORGAN Esther

        35. 57'

          Substitution

          CAIN Hannah replaces ROWE Rachel

        36. 57'

          Yellow card

          Megi Doci

        37. 55'

          Yellow card

          Megi Doci

        38. 52'

          A huge double chance for Albania as Middleton-Patel saves from Berisha before she then hits the post with the rebound. That is a let-off for Cymru.

        39. 51'

          A decent effort for Cymru as Griffiths crosses for Jones but the forward is adjudged to have fouled her marker as her header drifts wide.

        40. Cymru captain Angharad James takes on Gresa Berisha

        41. 47'

          Something of a disjointed start to the 2nd half from Cymru as the ball is lost cheaply in a dangerous area.

        42. 46'

          Albania get the 2nd half underway.

        43. HALF-TIME VERDICT

          Cymru take a deserved 1-0 lead into half-time, but Rhian Wilkinson’s side have suffered some nervy moments despite having long periods of possession. Mared Griffiths has been a constant threat for Cymru in an unfamiliar position on the right and twice tested goalkeeper Rajmonda Spahiu, while at the other end of the field Safia Middleton-Patel had to be at her best to deny Ezmiralda Franja. Cymru took the lead midway through the half when Lily Woodham’s corner was deflected in off a group of bodies in the area, but Albania have grown into the match since that goal with Fortesa Berisha also testing Middleton-Patel in the final exchanges. Cymru still have a bit to do to take a positive result into the 2nd leg next week.

        44. 45'

          An increasingly physical contest as Albania make an enforced change. Cymru need to keep possession a bit better and not allow themselves to get dragged into a fight.

        45. 44'

          Substitution

          Xhesika Ndoj replaces Sara Maliqi

        46. 44'

          Substitution

          Xhesika Ndoj replaces Sara Maliqi

        47. 39'

          Yellow card

          EVANS Gemma Jayne

        48. 39'

          Yellow card

          EVANS Gemma Jayne

        49. 37'

          A great run from Berisha on the left but her effort is saved by Middleton-Patel. Cymru are not having everything their own way in this physical contest.

        50. Mayzee Davies in possession

        51. 34'

          Rowe with the effort from distance but her shot goes narrowly wide. A second goal before half-time could be huge in this tie.

        52. 33'

          Another nervy moment for Cymru as Albania’s all-time leading appearance holder and goalscorer, Doci, has an effort on goal blocked.

        53. 31'

          Griffiths with another strike after some excellent build-up play from Cymru, but Spahiu denies her for a second time in this opening half.

        54. Carrie Jones makes an attacking run

        55. 26'

          Yellow card

          Arbiona Bajraktari

        56. 26'

          Cymru looking a lot more comfortable with the ball following that opening goal, especially after a few nervy moments before they took the lead.

        57. 26'

          Yellow card

          Arbiona Bajraktari

        58. 22'

          Own goal

          Ezmiralda Franja

        59. 21'

          Cymru take the lead as Woodham’s corner deflects off a group of bodies in the area and beats Spahiu with Rowe the closest Cymru player. A big moment in the match.

        60. 21'

          Goal

          ROWE Rachel

        61. 21'

          A decent attack from Cymru but the cross from Griffiths is blocked for a corner with Hughes closing in on the defender.

        62. Esther Morgan challenges for the ball with Albania captain Megi Doci

        63. 17'

          A big chance for Albania as Franja capitalises on a defensive mistake but Middleton-Patel makes a crucial save. That will be a concern for Rhian Wilkinson.

        64. 16'

          A first effort for Cymru as Griffiths tests Spahiu at the near post but the goalkeeper makes the save.

        65. 15'

          That fright may have sparked something in Cymru as they immediately force a corner at the other end of the field.

        66. 14'

          A scare for Cymru there as James gives the ball away in a dangerous area but Berisha can’t control the ball with just Middleton-Patel to beat.

        67. 10'

          A comfortable opening 10 minutes for Cymru without creating any clear chances on goal. The chances will surely come as the game progresses.

        68. The Cymru starting line-up

        69. 5'

          Albania look happy to sit back and soak up the early pressure, Cymru will need to stay patient.

        70. 3'

          Cymru enjoying the early possession but already this does look like a difficult surface at the Loro Boriçi Stadium, and not one the players will want to trust.

        71. 1'

          Kick off in Shkodër as Cymru get things underway.

        72. Elise Hughes will lead the Cymru front line this evening

        73. The Red Wall has arrived in Shkodër

        75. Sophie Ingle and the Cymru squad complete their pre-match warm-up

        77. Safia Middleton-Patel starts in goal for Cymru in Shkodër.

        78. The Cymru kit for this evening

        80. TEAM NEWS

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has made three changes to the side that defeated Czechia 3-1 back in June as Esther Morgan, Rachel Rowe and Elise Hughes come into the starting line-up.

          Ceri Holland and Rhiannon Roberts both started in the victory over Czechia but are ruled out through injury, while striker Hannah Cain is named on the bench.

          Angharad James captains the side on her 146th senior international appearance.

          Meanwhile, Albania head coach Armir Grimaj has made three changes from the side that claimed a 5-2 win over Montenegro in their last match. Gresa Berisha, Sara Maliqi and Qendresa Krasniqi come into the starting line-up.

        83. Welcome to the Loro Boriçi Stadium. Team news to follow very soon as Cymru take on Albania.

        86. The Cymru squad took a pre-match walk around the city of Shkodër earlier ahead of their match against Albania at the Loro Boriçi Stadium.

        88. JAMES ON WORLD CUP DREAM

          Cymru captain Angharad James spoke to the media on Thursday about her ambition to lead her country at a World Cup Finals.

          “I’ve always wanted to play in a World Cup and I think if you ask the majority of the group, the way we turn up and train and play every day for our clubs is for moments like this with our national team,” said James.

          Last summer James captained Cymru at EURO 2025 as the side made their first appearance at a women’s major tournament. Now the side face Albania in a two-legged play-off, with Norway or Romania awaiting the winners in the next phase of qualification.

          “Every day I’ll make sure I do extras. I do everything that I can to best prepare myself and the team to reach the first World Cup. We know it’s not an easy road ahead of us.

          “It’s a big challenge. We’ve got a big game against Albania, we’ve got big games ahead of us and the road is never easy. But it’s one that I truly believe this group can get through.

          “With the help of the staff and the whole squad, we can achieve big things and reaching the World Cup would be the biggest honour.”

        90. FINAL PREPARATIONS

          The Cymru squad trained at the Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër in the rain earlier today in what was their final session before the match against Albania on Friday.

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson and captain Angharad James were on media duty later to look ahead to the challenge of taking on a side they defeated twice back in April this year.

        93. WILKINSON ON ALBANIA PLAY-OFF CHALLENGE

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to the media earlier as her squad completed their preparations for the opening FIFA Women’s World Cup 1st Round 1st Leg Play-Off match against Albania at the Loro Boriçi Stadium on Friday (5.30pm UK).

          “I think what I would say is that this is home and away, back-to-back play-off and we’ve had some experiences with this,” said Wilkinson. “We continue to grow through those and it’s about taking care of delivering a performance away and then making sure we come home and deliver another one in the next few days.”

          Cymru take on Albania in the return match at Parc-Y-Scarlets, Llanelli, on Tuesday 13 October and tickets can be purchased here. Meanwhile, Wilkinson has made a number of enforced changes to her squad through injury, but believes her available players are ready for the challenge.

          “I think it would be silly for me to say that having nine injuries was predictable,” she added. “I think that was out of the norm, If I could have had no injuries I would have, but equally this is football and we adapt and we are a small country.

          “They’ve trained with a great intensity, they’ve done their work off the pitch and really involved themselves in meetings. They’ve done everything they can to put themselves in the best possible position to get minutes.”

          Cymru defeated Albania twice last April during the League Phase of the qualification campaign, winning 4-0 at Wrexham before claiming a 1-0 win in Elbasan a few days later, but Wilkinson is taking nothing for granted.

          “I expect it to be a resilient performance from both teams, to stick in it and try to bring our best versions of ourselves,” said Wilkinson. “They give everything for their badge like we will for ours, so it’ll be a tough match.”

        95. MEET THE REF

          Eleni Antoniou of Greece will take charge of the match between Cymru and Albania at the Loro Boriçi Stadium on Friday night.

          The 41-year-old has been a FIFA Referee since 2014 and has officiated in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and UEFA Youth Championship Finals. In 2016, Antoniou took charge of the UEFA WU17 Championship Final between Spain and Germany.

          Antoniou has been part of the UEFA Elite Women Referees group since 2023 and will be assisted by Zoi Papadopoulou and Vasilia Tsiklitari who are also from Greece. Nadine Reichmuth of Switzerland is the Fourth Official.

          Athanasios Tzilos, also of Greece, will be the VAR and she will be assisted by Victoria Beyer of France.

        98. PREVIOUS MEETINGS

          Cymru boast a perfect record against Albania with two wins from the two previous fixtures between the two nations, with Albania yet to score a single goal in this fixture.

          Both previous fixtures between Cymru and Albania took place earlier this year as the two teams were paired together in the World Cup qualification group.

          Hannah Cain (below) was on target twice when the two teams met for the first time in April at the Cae Ras in Wrexham as Cymru claimed a 4-0 victory. Elise Hughes and Rhiannon Roberts were also scored for Rhian Wilkinson’s side in the win.

          The two nations then met a few days later in Elbasan and it proved to be a tougher test for Cymru. However, a goal from Roberts after 28 minutes proved to be the difference as Cymru won 1-0.

        101. DAVIES ON WORLD CUP MOTIVATION

          Cymru defender Mayzee Davies has spoken about her motivation and determination to qualify for a major tournament with her country after missing out on EURO 2025 through injury.

          Davies only turned 20 in August, but the Manchester City youngster had already made a big impression with her performances for Cymru as a teenager when she suffered an ACL injury just before the tournament in Switzerland.

          “It was so hard,” said Davies to BBC Sport Wales recently. “I was 18 going to my first major tournament. It was horrible, and I think everyone close to me felt it. And at the time, I didn’t realise how bad it was until I looked back and went how did I get through that?”

          Cymru now take on Albania in a two-legged play-off and the winners will face either Norway or Romania in another two-legged tie for a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup that will take place in Brazil next summer.

          “I want to get to the World Cup because obviously I missed out last time, so I want to feel what it’s like to go to a major tournament with Wales,” explained Davies. “It does give me that extra motivation. I love playing for Wales and I think we’re quite a passionate country anyway.

          “So I think to play in a World Cup for Wales, obviously in Brazil, it would be amazing. Not just for me and my family, obviously coming off the back of the injury as well, I think it would make it extra special if we got there.”

          Click here for the full interview with Mayzee Davies on the BBC Sport website

        103. PLAY-OFF PREP

          The Cymru squad have been back on the training ground this week as they prepare to take on Albania at the Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër on Friday (5pm UK).

          Despite injuries to a number of key players including Ceri Holland, Hayley Ladd and Rhiannon Roberts, head coach Rhian Wilkinson is confident the younger players in squad can make the most of their opportunities.

          “These are the camps that we’re grateful for a really integrated pathway across Wales,” Said Wilkinson at her squad announcement last week. “I think that we have a wonderful squad and real opportunity coming up this next camp for young players to really grab their spot.”

          Click here for more from Rhian Wilkinson

        106. SQUAD UPDATE

          There are two changes to Rhian Wilkinson’s Cymru squad for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off against Albania as defender Rhiannon Roberts and goalkeeper Poppy Soper have withdrawn through injury.

          Roberts scored the only goal of the game as Cymru defeated Albania 1-0 in Elbesan in April this year when the two sides met in the League Phase of the qualifying campaign (below).

          Chloe Williams and Lucy Farrell-Shrouder have been called up to replace them in the squad.

        108. SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has named her 25-player squad for the upcoming 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off against Albania.

          The squad includes six uncapped players, with teenagers Casi Gregson of Newcastle United and Heidi Hills of Tottenham Hotspur being called up to the senior squad for the first time.

          Meanwhile, Hayley Ladd, Ceri Holland, Mia Ross, Ffion Morgan, Laura Hughes, Ella Powell and goalkeeper Olivia Clark have all been ruled out of the two-legged tie through injury.

          The opening match takes place at the Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër, Albania on Friday 9 October (5pm UK), with the return match at Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli on Tuesday 13 October (7:15pm). Tickets can be purchased here

        109. 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