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

    Live

        Live ReportMatch Summary

        3. Rhian Wilkinson speaking to BBC Match of the Day Wales:

          “I feel the team kept a really high quality of football, kept working, kept trying new things. A strong performance tonight. We’re a team that can play multiple shapes with players who can play multiple positions. It’s one of our strengths. We created a lot of opportunities and hopefully we’ll be more clinical next game.”

        4. MATCH SUMMARY

          Cymru produced an assured and dominant performance to claim a convincing 4-0 victory over Albania at the STōK Cae Ras.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side started with intent and were rewarded in the 15th minute when Hannah Cain opened the scoring, finishing confidently after meeting a well-delivered cross into the area. Cymru controlled possession throughout the first half and doubled their advantage on 35 minutes, as Elise Hughes capitalised on a goalkeeping error to tap home from close range.

          The second half continued in the same vein, with Cymru maintaining pressure and tempo. Rhiannon Roberts extended the lead shortly after the restart, heading in at the far post from an excellent delivery into the box. Cain then added her second of the evening on 55 minutes, converting from close range following a precise cross to make it 4-0.

          Cymru remained in control for the remainder of the match, limiting Albania to few clear opportunities while continuing to create chances of their own. The performance also marked a memorable moment for Phoebe Poole, who was introduced late on to make her senior international debut.

          The result strengthens Cymru’s position at the top of Group B1, as Wilkinson’s side continue their unbeaten start to the qualifying campaign with another confident and composed display in Wrexham.

        5. Nothing separates Czechia and Cymru at the top of the group.

        6. FULL-TIME SUMMARY:

          Cymru produced a dominant display to secure a convincing 4-0 victory over Albania in Wrexham. Hannah Cain scored twice, with Elise Hughes and Rhiannon Roberts also on target. Phoebe Poole was handed her debut, as Cymru controlled possession and limited Albania to few chances.

        8. 86'

          Substitution

          Mimoza Hamidi replaces Fortesa Berisha

        9. 86'

          Substitution

          Mimoza Hamidi replaces Fortesa Berisha

        10. 83'

          Substitution

          POOLE Phoebie replaces CAIN Hannah

        11. 83'

          As Cain leaves the pitch, she’s replaced by Poole who comes on to make her Cymru debut.

        12. 82'

          Substitution

          POOLE Phoebie replaces CAIN Hannah

        13. 80'

          Substitution

          Valenita Troka replaces Leonora Dedgjonaj

        14. 79'

          Griffiths run up the right and passes inside to Estcourt, who in turn gets the ball to Cain. On her hat-trick, Cain hits the ball painstakingly wide.

        15. 79'

          Substitution

          Valenita Troka replaces Leonora Dedgjonaj

        16. 75'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Esther replaces WOODHAM Lily

        17. 75'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Esther replaces WOODHAM Lily

        18. 75'

          Substitution

          LADD Hayley replaces INGLE Sophie

        19. 74'

          Substitution

          LADD Hayley replaces INGLE Sophie

        20. 74'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Esther replaces WOODHAM Lily

        22. 64'

          Griffiths with a cross-come-shot from out wide sees Spahiu scramble to stop the ball from dropping in at her far post.

        23. 61'

          Substitution

          ESTCOURT Charlotte replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        24. 61'

          Substitution

          ROWE Rachel replaces HUGHES Elise

        26. 60'

          Substitution

          ESTCOURT Charlotte replaces HUGHES Elise

        27. 60'

          Substitution

          ROWE Rachel replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        29. 55'

          Goal

          CAIN Hannah

        30. 55'

          Goal

          CAIN Hannah

        31. 55'

          Cain scores her second and Cymru’s fourth as she gets on the end of Woodham’s cross. It was an excellent ball into the box and a superb finish.

        33. 48'

          Goal

          ROBERTS Rhiannon

        34. 48'

          Roberts heads in at the far post from Griffiths’ long cross into the box. It’s 3-0 to Cymru.

        35. 48'

          Goal

          ROBERTS Rhiannon

        36. 47'

          Griffiths is back at it but her shot is deflected out for a corner.

        37. 46'

          Albania kick off the second half.

        40. HALF-TIME SUMMARY:

          Cymru took control of this game with a confident first-half display. Hannah Cain opened the scoring with a composed finish before Elise Hughes capitalised on a goalkeeping error to double the advantage. Dominant in possession, Cymru created chances while limiting Albania to minimal opportunities. Rhian Wilkinson will want to see more of the same from her team in the second half.

        41. 🫶 Elise Hughes

        42. 45'

          There will be three minutes of added time.

        43. 41'

          Space opens up for Ingle to shoot from outside the box and it’s a good effort. Spahiu saves but is unable to hold on to the ball. However, she gathers it up from the ground quickly.

        45. 39'

          Griffiths is enjoying herself down the right and as she crosses into the box, the ball is frantically turned behind for a Cymru corner.

        46. 35'

          Goal

          HUGHES Elise

        47. 35'

          Cain turns provider as her high cross looked like it was going to be collected by Spahiu. However, the goalkeeper drops the ball and Hughes is in the right place at the right time to make it 2-0.

        48. 35'

          Goal

          HUGHES Elise

        49. 34'

          Yellow card

          Klea Hamonikaj

        50. 34'

          Yellow card

          Klea Hamonikaj

        51. 31'

          James looks to set-up Griffiths for a shot but an Albanian defender gets in the way of the pass to relieve some pressure.

        52. 📸 Cain watches the ball roll over the line as she opens the scoring.

        53. 24'

          More danger for Albania as Woodham rounds Tukaj to get herself in the box. She squares the ball but Griffiths sees her attempt at goal go over the crossbar.

        54. 21'

          Cymru are enjoying the largest share of the possession here. They’re trying hard to find a second goal.

        56. 📸 The Cymru XI.

        57. 15'

          Goal

          CAIN Hannah

        58. 15'

          There’s the breakthrough for Cymru! Cain is on the end of Mared’s cross into the box to place the ball past Spahiu in the Albanian goal.

        59. 15'

          Goal

          CAIN Hannah

        60. 10'

          Hughes sets up Cain with a cross but resulting shot is scuffed wide. More good play from Cymru though, who look confident here in Wrexham.

        61. 4'

          Griffiths brings the ball forward with her pace as she finds plenty of room in the Albania half of the pitch. She sends a cutting ball through the 6-yard box but Cain is unable to meet it. That was great attacking play from Cymru.

        62. 2'

          First chance falls to Albania as Doci sends a free kick into the box. The connecting header in the box is sent wide and does little to worry Middleton-Patel in the Cymru goal.

        63. 1'

          KICK OFF! Cymru get this World Cup qualifier underway.

        64. Warm-ups completed. The anthems and kick off is next.

        65. Safia Middleton-Patel starts in goal this evening. She’s pictured here during the team’s warm-up.

        66. The final whistle has just been blown in today’s other game in Group B1 with Czechia winning 5-0 against Montenegro. Here’s the group table ahead of kick off in Wrexham.

        68. Angharad James captain’s the team this evening.

        69. Rhian Wilkinson has named her starting line-up for this match against Albania at the STōK Cae Ras.

        70. The dressing room awaits the arrival of the Cymru team. Rhian Wilkinson and her squad are expected to arrive at the stadium very soon.

        72. Pwy ydym ni? Who are we? A nation shaped by many identities, brought together under one flag. Together We Are Stronger

        73. STōK Cae Ras is the oldest international football stadium in the world.

        74. Angharad James and Sophie Ingle in deep conversation as the Cymru team take a pre-match walk.

        76. WILKINSON EXCITED FOR WREXHAM RETURN

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson is looking forward to returning to the STōK Cae Ras on Tuesday night as her side prepare to take on Albania.

          “I think being able to travel with this team and play at Cae Ras is a special thing to be able to do,” explained Wilkinson on Monday. “It’s a tight stadium, an old stadium. It’s got such energy coming out of it and I know the players are as excited as I am for tomorrow.

          “It’s such a special stadium so to have it filled with the red wall, with our fantastic fanbase, to hear that anthem being sung loud and proud, is a special thing. It’s a difference maker.

          “We want to keep traveling with this team to make sure that our young boys and girls across Wales are getting to see these special women in person. So I hope everyone is able to come out and see them, because this is a very good team.”

          Cymru are currently top of Group B1 but Wilkinson is expecting a tough test from Albania who are in third and just one point behind. “I’ve talked about how impressed I’ve been with some of their players,” she added.

          “They’re a team that will hurt us if we don’t do the basics well, so it’s a real challenge for us, an opportunity to raise our level and be excited about an opposition that will test us to be better than we were before.”

        78. JAMES LOOKING TO BUILD ON CAMPAIGN START

          Cymru captain Angharad James spoke to the media at the STōK Cae Ras on Monday afternoon as her side look to build on their undefeated start to 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying.

          “The preparations have been really good,” said James. “We’ve had a good solid week of prep time which you know we don’t usually get on a camp so it’s been really nice. It’s been exactly the prep that we need and wanted ready for Albania tomorrow.”

          Albania are currently one point behind Cymru in Group B1 and James will not be underestimating them ahead of this double-header with the return match taking place in Albania on Saturday.

          “I think it’s really important that we build,” she added. “We’ve had a good start to the campaign, having four points from the first two games, and I think in a way disappointed that we didn’t get the six. It’s testament to this group that’s where we feel our standards should be.

          “Albania are a very strong and good team at what they do. We have to respect that. First and foremost, we will concentrate on ourselves and our game plan, but we’re very cautious of what they can do and how they can hurt us.”

        80. MEET THE REF

          Katalin Sipos of Hungary will take charge of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier between Cymru and Albania at the STōK Cae Ras on Tuesday evening.

          The 39-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2019 and regularly officates in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Noemi Hegedus-Barath and Laura Emerencia Szabó are the assistant referees while Fanni Kovács is the fourth official. All of the officials are from Hungary.

        83. INGLE AND POWELL ON TARGET SIX POINTS

          Cymru duo Sophie Ingle and Ella Powell were on media duty earlier this week and spoke about the need to claim maximum points from the World Cup qualifying double-header against Albania.

          “Rhian [Wilkinson] said it on day one of camp that we are going for two wins. I think we’re all aligned with that,” said Powell (below). “We started the campaign relatively well. We’re at the top of the group, and that’s exactly where we want to stay. That is our goal.”

          Cymru take on Albania at the STōK Cae Ras in Wrexham on Tuesday, 14 April (KO 19:15) before heading to the Elbasan Arena for the return match on Saturday, 18 April (KO 17:00 UK).

          Ingle could make her 150th senior international appearance for Cymru during this international window to mark a significant milestone in her career.

          “It’s quite scary really to think that I’ve been here that long and played that many games,” she said. “Being on 148 caps now is such a great achievement and one in the moment you don’t really look at.

          “But every single game, I’ve loved putting on the Welsh shirt and if I reach 150 it’ll be another big achievement.”

          Click here to get your tickets for the match against Albania at the STōK Cae Ras

        85. PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

          The Cymru squad have been on the training ground this week as preparations continue for the Group B1 double-header against Albania.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side currently top the group ahead of Czechia after two games and they now return to action at the STōK Cae Ras in Wrexham on Tuesday, 14 April (KO 19:15) and tickets are still available here.

          “We’re looking to win the group,” said Wilkinson last week. “That’s the goal and the ambition, and we don’t want to be shy about saying that.”

          Click here for the full match preview and the qualification process for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup

        87. AS IT STANDS

          Cymru currently sit top of Group B1 after the opening two qualifiers as Rhian Wilkinson’s side prepare to take Albania twice in this international window.

          Czechia are second on goal difference having also claimed four points from their opening two fixtures, while Albania began the campaign with a 2-1 win over Montenegro and are third.

        89. SQUAD UPDATE

          The Cymru squad have arrived on camp ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying double-header against Albania.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side are currently top of Group B1 heading into this latest round of fixtures that will take place at the STōK Cae Ras in Wrexham on Tuesday, 14 April (KO 19:15) before the side head to Albania for the return match on Saturday, 18 April (KO 17:00 UK).

          Since the squad was announced last week, both Ceri Holland and Lois Joel have been forced to withdraw through injury, while Olivia Francis has been called up.

        91. SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

          Rhian Wilkinson has named her 25-player squad for the upcoming double-header against Albania in 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying.

          Goalkeeper Olivia Clark misses out through injury and is replaced by uncapped Lucy Farrell-Shrouder, while teenage defender Mayzee Davies makes a welcome return after suffering an ACL injury last summer.

          “We’re looking to win the group,” said Wilkinson at Thursday’s squad announcement. “That’s the goal and the ambition, and we don’t want to be shy about saying that.

          “Welsh football is really at an exciting time where our standards now are that we expect to be at every major tournament on the men’s and women’s side. That is a huge testament to the work being done by the association.”

          Click here for more from Rhian Wilkinson

        93. 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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