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    Cymru vs. Australia | Friendly match – Football – Female – A

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        6. Rhian Wilkinson on Jess Fishlock and the match

          Rhian Wilkinson speaking to BBC Match of the Day Wales: “We went for it, I think there was some great moments. We’re really showing that we can live with some of the best teams in the world, but we’re not fit enough yet to keep up standards to the 90th minute.

          “This is an exciting time for Mared to come through our system and academy, we’ve got Scarlett Hill stepping on the field, Tiana Teisar, Gwen Zimmerman started for us. That’s what we need to see at the beginning of a new cycle.

          “I’ll miss Jess a lot, she’s a phenomenal athlete, I was talking to Australia’s coach and it’s really a privilege to lead her and being her coach. I think she thinks she’s going to be walking away from the Welsh environment, but she’s not. My goal will be to wrangle her I just don’t know how yet.”

        7. Jess Fishlock

          Following the match, Jess Fishlock spoke to BBC Wales: “I’m so happy with our performance today, first half especially I thought we were great. To play the way we did I’m super excited for the group.

          “We will evolve, new generation after new generation. Today I was just playing a game at the end of the day, but at the end it sank in a little bit. I don’t want to be sad about it because I’ve had the best time ever.”

        9. MATCH SUMMARY:

          Jess Fishlock’s final international match ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat against Australia on what was an emotional afternoon for the Cymru legend at the Cardiff City Stadium.

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson handed 18-year-old defender Gwen Zimmerman her first senior cap while Safia Middleton-Patel was selected in goal. Fishlock captained the side on her 166th and final Cymru appearance and cut an emotional figure as she sang the national anthem for the last time.

          For the Matilda’s, Joe Montemurro named striker and all-time leading goalscorer Sam Kerr as captain on her return to the squad after a long-term injury, while Hayley Raso became the latest centurion as she made her 100th appearance for the side.

          Australia almost enjoyed the perfect start when Katrina Gorry tried her luck from outside the area in the opening minutes of the match, but her effort struck the crossbar. On the 10th minute, Fishlock was applauded by the fans in recognition of her contribution to Cymru during her exceptional international career.

          Cymru soon settled into the match with Ceri Holland proving to be particularly effective on the left and she combined well with Fishlock and Hannah Cain. However, Australia would take the lead on 28 minutes when Courtney Nevin’s free-kick deceived goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel and found the back of the net.

          The best chance for Cymru arrived a few minutes later as a fine through ball from Fishlock found Cain but her effort was saved by Teagen Micah. Cymru continued to push for a deserved equaliser, but it was the visitors that went into half-time with the advantage.

          Zimmerman made an impressive debut in defence and was replaced by Charlie Estcourt at half-time, and Cymru almost levelled minutes into the half as Fishlock was denied a dream moment on her final appearance by Micah. However, Mared Griffiths would soon enjoy her own special moment.

          Making her first senior start, the 18-year-old scored with a superb effort on 55 minutes to level. Cymru continued to match their opponents across the field but had to defend solidly while Amy Sayer almost put the visitors ahead on 73 minutes, but she fired over Middleton-Patel’s bar from close range.

          There was a cruel blow for Cymru on 85 minutes as Caitlin Foord found herself in space in the area and made no mistake as Australia regained the lead. It would prove to be the decisive goal as Cymru just couldn’t find a way back.

          There was a standing ovation on the 90th minute as Fishlock was replaced on her final Cymru appearance. Fishlock spoke in the days leading up to the match about passing the baton over to the next generation, and this performance showed plenty of signs of a bright future for this team.

        10. FULL-TIME VERDICT:

          A special afternoon ends in a 2-1 defeat for Cymru but there were plenty of positives for Rhian Wilkinson to take from this performance. Mared Griffiths opened her Cymru account with a superb equaliser on her first senior start to mark the start of a new era for this team, while Jess Fishlock made an emotional exit in the final moments of her 166th and last international appearance. Overall, it was a very encouraging performance from Cymru against a strong Australian side despite the narrow defeat, and an emotional end of an era for a true icon of the sport.

        12. 90' + 2'

          Substitution

          TEISAR Tianna replaces FISHLOCK Jessica Anne

        13. 90' + 1'

          Substitution

          M. Heyman replaces C. Foord

        14. 90' + 1'

          Substitution

          C. Vine replaces K. Clooney-Cross

        15. 90'

          The end of an era as Fishlock departs for the final time in a Cymru shirt. A standing ovation for the Cymru icon.

        16. 85'

          A cruel end for Cymru as Caitlin Foord makes it 2-1 to Australia as she finishes past Middleton-Patel from close range.

        17. 84'

          Goal

          C. Foord

        18. 82'

          Substitution

          JONES Carrie replaces GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw

        19. 82'

          Substitution

          HILL Scarlett replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        20. 77'

          An excellent attendance of 11,173 here this afternoon. Diolch to our Red Wall.

        21. 76'

          Substitution

          A. Kennedy replaces K. Gorry

        22. A big chance for Australia but Sayer fails to find the target from close range. A scare for Cymru as the visitors look to regain the advantage.

        23. 70'

          Two important blocks there from Holland and Morgan to deny Australia. Excellent defending from Cymru.

        24. 68'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Elise replaces CAIN Hannah

        25. 66'

          Substitution

          H. McNamara replaces H. Rasso

        26. 66'

          Substitution

          A. Sayer replaces S. Kerr

        27. 66'

          Substitution

          E. Carpenter replaces K. Torpey

        28. 65'

          A triple change for Australia, they will be disappointed to have surrendered the lead but Cymru more than deserved that goal.

        29. The ball left Griffiths’ foot and ended up in the net.

        31. 55'

          Goal

          GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw

        32. 55'

          GOAL! What a moment for Mared Griffiths as she scores her first senior Cymru goal on her first senior Cymru start. A superb strike from the teenager.

        33. 48'

          A great effort from Fishlock is saved by Micah. She is desperate to add to her 48 Cymru goals this afternoon.

        34. 46'

          We’re back underway at the Cardiff City Stadium with Cymru making one change as Estcourt replaces Zimmerman at the back.

        35. Prior to kick off, Kayleigh Barton was presented with a plaque to commemorate her service to Cymru. Barton retired following Cymru’s involvement at UEFA EURO 2025.

        36. HALF-TIME VERDICT:

          Cymru have more than held their own against a strong Australian side and will be disappointed to be 1-0 down, with Courtney Nevin’s fortuitous free-kick on 28 minutes proving to be the difference between the two teams at the midway point. Cymru have had chances, the best falling to Hannah Cain after a fine pass from Jess Fishlock, but she was denied by goalkeeper Teagen Micah on 33 minutes. There are plenty of positives for Rhian Wilkinson and her squad to take into the 2nd half as they look to turn this around.

        37. 44'

          Cymru are really pushing for an equaliser before half-time, and they deserve one too. It’s been a very encouraging performance so far.

        39. 33'

          Cain comes close to grabbing the equaliser but is denied by Micah in the Australian goal.

        40. 28'

          Goal

          C. Nevin

        41. 28'

          Australia take the lead through Nevin who finishes past Middleton-Patel, who was deceived by a run across her path from Kerr.

        42. 25'

          Fishlock comes close again for Cymru following a great run from Holland. The home side are competing very well.

        43. 24'

          A great block there from Ladd. Always a consistent performer for Cymru.

        44. Fantastic to see Sophie Ingle back in a Cymru starting XI.

        45. 15'

          Almost a dream moment for Fishlock but she skies her effort over the bar.

        46. 14'

          Cymru can be pleased with their start to the match as Griffiths’ shot from the edge of the area is blocked. Zimmerman is looking assured at the back on her senior debut too.

        47. 10'

          Applause rings around the Cardiff City Stadium on the 10th minute in recognition of Fishlock and her final Cymru appearance.

        48. Jess Fishlock’s final Cymru line-up.

        49. 5'

          The first big chance of the match for the visitors as Gorry hits the crossbar with a fine strike from just outside the area.

        50. 1'

          The anthems are complete and the pennants have been exchanged as Cymru kick things off. A great crowd have turned out to celebrate the international careers of Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton too.

        51. '

          Substitution

          ESTCOURT Charlotte replaces N/A

        52. Just 30 minutes to kick-off here in Cardiff…..

        54. Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has arrived.

        56. Kayleigh Barton has joined the party. 611 Cymru caps in one photo.

        57. The will be the first women’s international between Cymru and Australia.

        59. TEAM NEWS

          Rhian Wilkinson has named her starting line-up to take on Australia in Cardiff this afternoon.

          Teenage defender Gwen Zimmerman will make her senior international debut while Jess Fishlock will captain the side on her final Cymru appearance.

          Safia Middleton-Patel has been selected in goal while 18-year-old Mared Griffiths has also been included for what will be her second senior cap.

        60. For the last time….

        62. The stage is set as Cymru prepare to take on Australia this afternoon.

        65. THE END OF AN ERA

          Jess Fishlock will make her 166th and final appearance for Cymru this afternoon as Rhian Wilkinson’s side take on Australia at the Cardiff City Stadium (2pm).

          Fishlock made her senior international debut back in 2006 and is the all-time Cymru record appearance holder and goalscorer, and will be hoping to add to her tally of 48 goals today.

          The midfielder also made history in the summer as she became the first woman to score for Cymru at a major tournament with her goal against France, and with it became the oldest goalscorer ever in UEFA Women’s EURO.

          Over 10,000 tickets have been sold for what will be a special and emotional occasion.

        68. WILKINSON AND JAMES ON FISHLOCK LEGACY

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson and captain Angharad James spoke to the media on Friday afternoon and paid tribute to Jess Fishlock ahead of her final international appearance.

          “It’s going to be strange without her and I think the legacy that she will leave, she’ll leave her shirt in a better place,” said James. “I think what she and Gareth Bale have done for Welsh sport over the years is incredible.

          “I think Bale left his legacy within the men’s group and Jess will do the exact same thing for us. She’s fought so hard for us, she’s fought so much in the past, too, to create the environment that we’ve got now.”

          “Jess happens to be one of the proudest Welsh sportspeople you’ll ever meet,” added Wilkinson. “But she would have been great whatever country she came from. Had she played for a bigger nation the accolades would never end.

          “She’s a fantastic leader and a fantastic athlete. She’s been an amazing ambassador for Wales and she will continue to be. I have no doubt that that will not end just because she stops playing for Wales.”

        70. FISHLOCK’S FIVE KEY CYMRU GOALS

          Jess Fishlock as one more opportunity to add to her record 48 Cymru goals on Saturday when she makes her final appearance for Cymru against Australia at the Cardiff City Stadium (2pm).

          The midfielder opened her account on 30 March 2006 in a 1-1 draw against Israel in a World Cup qualifier in the capital in what was just the second of her 165 caps for her country. Fishlock’s first four Cymru goals were scored during that qualifying campaign.

          In September 2017, Fishlock scored the only goal of the game in Kazakhstan with a superb strike. It was a defining World Cup qualifying campaign for Cymru as Jayne Ludlow’s side kept seven clean-sheets and only a defeat to England on the final day denied them a first major tournament appearance.

          Fishlock’s 36th goal was scored against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Cardiff City Stadium in October 2022 in the World Cup Play-Off. Another excellent strike in extra-time earned Cymru a 1-0 victory but they would suffer a heart-breaking defeat to Switzerland a week later.

          Always a player for the big occasion, Fishlock again scored a crucial goal as her 46th Cymru goal levelled the EURO 2025 Play-Off semi-final against Slovakia and took the tie to extra-time. Cymru would win the match and then defeat the Republic of Ireland to make history with qualification for the finals in Switzerland the following summer.

          And it was at the those finals that Fishlock scored her most memorable goal as she became the oldest goalscorer in EURO history with her equaliser against France (below), and the first Cymru player to score at a major women’s finals. That was goal number 48 for her country.

        72. OVER 10,000 TICKETS SOLD

          Ticket sales for the match between Cymru and Australia at the Cardiff City Stadium have reached 10,000 and there is still time for you to be a part of what will be a very special occasion.

          Jess Fishlock will be making her final appearance for Cymru and head coach Rhian Wilkinson explained why this is a match you will not want to miss when she spoke to the media recently.

          “This is the last game and it’s one of these moments in sporting history that will be talked about,” said Wilkinson.

          “It’s 2pm on a Saturday and we’ve done that on purpose to make sure that there are as many young people, old people, Welsh people and footballing fans in the crowd as possible.

          “Don’t miss this opportunity, because it is quite literally the last one.”

          Tickets for the match can be purchased from the FAW ticketing website.

          Wales fans ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Group D Match between Wales and Netherlands at Allmend Stadion Luzern, in Switzerland on the 5th July 2025

        74. PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

          The Cymru squad were back on the training ground on Wednesday as preparations continued ahead of Saturday’s match against Australia at the Cardiff City Stadium (2pm).

          This will be the first meeting between the two nations and will also mark the end of an era as Jess Fishlock, Cymru’s all-time record appearance holder and goalscorer, will represent her country for the 166th and final time.

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has named eight uncapped players in her squad. “This will be my first friendly, as the coach for Wales against Australia, which is a crazy thing as it will be pretty much two years in charge,” said Wilkinson.

          “They’re never friendly in terms of wanting to win, but this is the first opportunity I’ve had to really look at some new players and the qualified players as well.”

          Cymru are also in action on Tuesday, 28 October, when they take on Poland at Rodney Parade (7.45pm). Tickets for both matches can be purchased from the FAW ticketing website.

        78. MORGAN ON FISHLOCK FAREWELL AND WSL RETURN

          Ffion Morgan also sat down with the media at the team base this afternoon and paid tribute to Jess Fishlock ahead of her international retirement as well as discussing her own return to the WSL.

          “Jess has been a part of everyone’s journey,” said Morgan. “So I think it’s just strange to think that this is her actual last match. She’s played a part in everyone’s journey. My first cap was Jess’s 100th. When I was growing up Jess was the superstar for Wales, she still is the superstar.

          “Every game and every experience that I’ve shared with her, it’s been super special. She always scores that goal, doesn’t she? The first of the Euros was like, of course, Jess was going to score that. Jess has her moments that are just perfect really.”

          During the summer, Morgan made the switch from Bristol City to West Ham United and is enjoying her return to the top-flight.

          “I wanted to make that step to the WSL again and play at the highest level that I can. I’m really enjoying it. The football’s great and the players are really good. So I feel taking that step now at the age I am, I really want to push on, and I feel like West Ham’s giving me that right now.”

        80. FISHLOCK OPENS UP ON CYMRU DECISION

          Jess Fishlock spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon and explained why she has decided to call time on her international career.

          “I made the decision after the Euros,” said Fishlock. “It wasn’t a decision that I made lightly, and it took me a couple months to really figure out what I wanted to do. I had a lot of conversations with my family and my partner and came to the decision that this was the right time to say goodbye.

          “There’s been so many highlights throughout my career because there’s been so much change, but I think to be able to leave now and remember the fans in Switzerland will forever be my highlight. I always wanted to be able to play and see a red wall cheering us on, even if we were losing.

          “In Switzerland I expected a lot, but I did not expect that, so that will stay with me forever.”

          Click her for more from Jess Fishlock on her international retirement

        82. WILKINSON LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson believes this international window will offer a glimpse into the future as her squad prepare to take on Australia and Poland.

          “This is the beginning of a new Euro cycle, a new four-year cycle begins,” said Wilkinson. “We know that we’ve got this great group of young players coming through our system that we’ve been developing through our academies, but equally through our talent ID.”

          There are eight uncapped players in the squad including Poppy Soper, Teagan Scarlett and Tianna Teisar who will be looking to make their senior debuts having been involved with previous squads.

          Meanwhile, Mia Ross, Annie Wilding, Gwen Zimmerman, Scarlett Hill and Amy Richardson are involved for the first time.

          “This will be my first friendly, as the coach for Wales against Australia, which is a crazy thing as it will be pretty much two years in charge,” added Wilkinson.

          “They’re never friendly in terms of wanting to win, but this is the first opportunity I’ve had to really look at some new players and the qualified players as well.”

          Click here for more from Rhian Wilkinson on the BBC Sport website

        84. SQUAD ARRIVALS

          The Cymru squad arrived in Cardiff on Monday ahead of the upcoming fixtures against Australia and Poland.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side take on Australia in the first meeting between the two nations at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 25 October (2pm) before taking on Poland at Rodney Parade on Tuesday 28 October (7.45pm).

          The match against Australia will mark the end of an era for midfielder Jess Fishlock as she will represent her country for the final time. Tickets for both fixtures can be purchased via the FAW ticketing website.

          Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, with discounts available for Red Wall members.

        86. RHIAN WILKINSON ON JESS FISHLOCK

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson sat down with the media on Friday morning and spoke about the contribution of Jess Fishlock as the midfielder prepares to play her final international match.

          “I think what we’re all realising and recognising now is that she is a generational player that has given everything for her country,” said Wilkinson. “She’s being recognised worldwide, which is appropriate for how much she’s loved playing for Wales and how much she’s given to do that.”

          “This is the last game and it’s one of these moments in sporting history that will be talked about. It’s 2pm on a Saturday and we’ve done that on purpose to make sure that there are as many young people, old people, Welsh people and footballing fans in the crowd as possible. Don’t miss this opportunity, because it is quite literally the last one.”

          Click here for more from Rhian Wilkinson’s press conference

        90. JESS FISHLOCK – THE END OF AN ERA

          Cymru legend Jess Fishlock will represent her country for the very last time against Australia in Cardiff on Saturday 25 October.

          The all-time Cymru record appearance holder and goalscorer made her debut back in 2006 and has played an integral role in the progress of the team and the women’s game as a whole of the last two decades.

          Fishlock calls time on her international career having finally achieved her dream of representing Cymru at a major tournament this summer, where she also set a new record by becoming the oldest goalscorer in the history of the UEFA Women’s EURO at the age of 38.

          Now is the time for the Red Wall to show their appreciation for a true Welsh sporting great as she wears the dragon on her chest for the final time.

          Tickets for the match against Australia can be purchased from the FAW ticketing website – Priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, with discounts available for Red Wall members.

        92. SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson her 26-player squad for the upcoming fixtures against Australia and Poland as her side return to action for the first time since the EURO finals.

          Josie Green, Ella Powell, Rhiannon Roberts, Lily Woodham, Rachel Rowe, Soffia Kelly and Esther Morgan all miss out through injury, while Jess Fishlock will make her final Cymru appearance in the first match against Australia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 25 October (KO 14:00).

          Tickets for both matches can be purchased here

        93. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

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