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    Cymru vs. Canada | 2026 A Internationals – EQ Friendlies – Fixtures

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. Craig Bellamy provided his post match reaction to BBC Wales

          “A good performance, the intensity, you could see at times, when the ball lands, you’ve got to secure it.

          “Overall, I don’t like losing, I have to be honest, but performance-wise, I have to be happy.

          “I learnt that some of our senior boys were outstanding. Some of the young boys, we have to expose them.

          “We can see the gulf, we knew that was going to be the case. But if we don’t do it, when are we going to do it?”

        2. Harry Wilson, the EE Player of the Match, speaking to BBC Wales

          “We said before the game that there’s no such thing as a friendly game. I think overall it was a good workout for us.

          “We’re obviously disappointed to lose, but there’s a lot of positives to take.

          “We have to be on it when we play against teams above us in the rankings, we’ve got to make sure we’re perfect in everything we do.”

        3. Dan James speaking to BBC Wales after the match

          “I think we’ve got to take the positives. It comes down to a free-kick, it’s a great free-kick.

          “I thought we played well in spells, we know their quality and they’re a great team on and off the ball.
          “It’s just that final bit that we want to keep improving.

          “I think we showed character, we did create chances. We’ve just got to keep working on it.

          “It’s been a great camp, coming from Kazakhstan to get that 1-0 win. We’re obviously disappointed tonight but we’ve got three or four weeks until the next camp and we’ve just got to take everything out of this camp and improve next time.”

        5. Match summary

          This was an international challenge match chosen by Cymru manager Craig Bellamy for the test it would provide to his team. This was achieved in what was a very competitive game in Swansea.

          The match also allowed Bellamy to give debuts to Ronan Kapakio, Joel Colwill and Kai Andrews to assess their adaptation to senior international football ahead of October’s qualifier.

          The first half was open with both teams showing attacking flair. Canada came closest early on with a shot against the inside of the post and felt harshly treated when they didn’t get a penalty after a rash challenge from Kpakio in the box.

          For Cymru, Dan James had space in the 18-yard box to get a clean strike on goal but the ball went straight into the arms of St. Clair.

          Canada took the lead shortly before half-time when Derek Cornelius’ superb free kick was fired into the net out of Adam Davies’ reach.

          In the second half, Mark Harris nearly equalised from a corner with an overhead kick but it was cleared off the line by Luc De Fougerolles.

          In the final moments Sorba Thomas received a cross field pass from Davies before cutting it back to Harris whose shot went painstakingly wide of the post. Cymru were so close to a deserved equaliser.

        6. Full-time summary

          Cymru will feel that they should’ve equalised during the second half as they created the best chances to score. Craig Bellamy also provided debuts to Joel Colwill and Kai Andrews off the bench. Mark Harris had the best chances for Cymru in the second half with an overhead kick that was cleared off the line. Despite the defeat, both teams will feel this was a useful runout.

        7. 90' + 4'

          Substitution

          Joel Waterman replaces Nathan Saliba

        8. 90' + 1'

          Substitution

          Joel Waterman replaces Nathan Saliba

        9. 90'

          Thomas receives a diagonal pass from Davies and cuts it back to Harris whose shot goes painstakingly wide of the post. Cymru were so close to an equaliser there.

        10. 89'

          Yellow card

          Jayden Nelson

        11. 89'

          Yellow card

          Jayden Nelson

        12. 85'

          Substitution

          MEPHAM Christopher replaces CABANGO Benjamin

        13. 85'

          Yellow card

          NORRINGTON-DAVIES Rhys

        14. 85'

          Yellow card

          NORRINGTON-DAVIES Rhys

        15. 85'

          Substitution

          MEPHAM Christopher replaces CABANGO Benjamin

        16. 76'

          Substitution

          Jayden Nelson replaces Tajon Buchanan

        17. 76'

          Substitution

          Theo Bair replaces Tani Oluwaseyi

        18. 76'

          Substitution

          Mathieu Choinière replaces Ismaël Koné

        19. 76'

          Substitution

          Jayden Nelson replaces Tajon Buchanan

        20. 76'

          Substitution

          Theo Blair replaces Tani Oluwaseyi

        22. 76'

          Substitution

          Mathieu Choinière replaces Ismaël Koné

        23. A young fan cheers Cyrmu on for an equaliser.

        24. 73'

          A ball over the top of the defence from Davies finds Wilson’s run into the box who brings the ball down but sees it kicked away from him by an alert Canadian defender.

        26. 70'

          Substitution

          ANDREWS Kai replaces CREW Charles

        27. 70'

          Substitution

          THOMAS Sorba replaces KPAKIO Ronan

        28. 70'

          Substitution

          THOMAS Sorba replaces KPAKIO Ronan

        29. 70'

          Substitution

          ANDREWS Kai replaces CREW Charles

        30. 65'

          Substitution

          Jacob Shaffelburg replaces Ali Ahmed

        31. 64'

          Substitution

          Jacob Shaffelburg replaces Ali Ahmed

        32. 64'

          Substitution

          Junior Hoilett replaces Jonathan David

        33. 64'

          Substitution

          Junior Hoilett replaces Jonathan David

        34. 63'

          Substitution

          NORRINGTON-DAVIES Rhys replaces WILLIAMS Neco

        35. 62'

          Substitution

          KOUMAS Lewis replaces BROOKS David

        36. 62'

          Substitution

          COLWILL Joel replaces JAMES Jordan Anthony

        37. 61'

          Substitution

          COLWILL Joel replaces JAMES Jordan Anthony

        38. 61'

          Substitution

          NORRINGTON-DAVIES Rhys replaces WILLIAMS Neco

        39. 61'

          Substitution

          KOUMAS Lewis replaces BROOKS David

        41. 58'

          From a Cymru corner, Crew meets the ball at the far post but heads it into the arms of St. Clair.

        42. 57'

          Saliba strikes over the bar from 20-yards. It was a great opportunity to increase Canada’s lead.

        43. 53'

          Harris comes close from the corner with an overhead kick that’s cleared off the line by De Fougerolles.

        44. 52'

          James is released into the box by Harris but the ball is put behind by Sigur for a corner.

        45. 46'

          No changes at half-time for Cymru as they look to get themselves level.

        46. Second half

          Canada get the second half underway.

        48. Half-time summary

          It’s been an open game with both teams showing attacking flair. Canada came closest early on with a shot against the inside of the post and felt harshly treated when they didn’t get a penalty after a rash challenge from Kpakio in the box. For Cymru, Dan James had space in the 18-yard box to get a clean strike on goal but the ball went straight into the arms of St. Clair. However, the difference at half-time is Derek Cornelius’ wonderfully hit free kick.

        49. 42'

          Canada are awarded a free kick from outside the box and it’s taken by Cornelius who fires it past the reach of Davies in the Cymru goal.

        50. 42'

          Goal

          Derek Cornelius

        51. 41'

          Goal

          Derek Cornelius

        52. 38'

          Yellow card

          CREW Charles

        53. 38'

          Yellow card

          CREW Charles

        54. 36'

          Yellow card

          Tajon Buchanan

        55. 36'

          Yellow card

          Tajon Buchanan

        56. 33'

          Yellow card

          WILSON Harry

        57. 33'

          Yellow card

          WILSON Harry

        58. 25'

          Yellow card

          BROOKS David

        59. 25'

          Yellow card

          BROOKS David

        61. 14'

          Yellow card

          Richie Laryea

        62. 14'

          Yellow card

          Richie Laryea

        63. The Cymru XI

        64. 13'

          This is an open game with both teams having chances to score in the early exchanges. Canada have hit the inside of the post whilst James fired into the arms of visiting goalkeeper St. Clair.

        65. 1'

          KICK OFF

          This international challenge match is underway.

        67. Getting the warm-ups done in the rain.

        68. Bucket hats are essential today. Bwrw glaw.

        69. The players are out on the grass.

        70. Ben Cabango starts against Canada.

        73. Team news

          Craig Bellamy hands a debut to Ronan Kpakio and Charlie Crew is set to make his first start.

        75. This will be the first match for Cymru men’s team in Swansea since 2020.

        78. Tough test an opportunity for Bellamy

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy also spoke to the media on Monday and explained why it was his decision to take on Canada in Swansea this evening.

          “I chose them,” he explained. “I’m fully aware I could get beaten, but what would I gain from playing a lesser team? This is a tough game where there’s an intensity. We’ll see where we are. So it just gives us a good opportunity to be able to get better.

          “They are ranked better than us in the world. So that’s a definite incentive for us. We will pick the best team that we feel that’s available for this game to be able to get the best result.”

          “I haven’t been in a position where I could choose games because every game I’ve had to this date has always had something riding on it, points and qualifying. But now this game with Canada really fitted us.

          “I want that every game is tough, every game is intense. You’ve got to run, sprint and change direction and what if that ball goes over the top – no ambling back, ploddy players.

          “If we don’t do that against these type of teams we’re going to get hurt. That’s why these games are so important, we have to have the right habits.”

          Bellamy also called on the Red Wall to come out in their numbers to get behind his squad this evening in what is an important match ahead of October’s return to World Cup qualifying.

          “It’s always important, but the support needs to be there,” he added. “Everywhere we go, it’s got to be sold out. If it isn’t, I’m not happy. The players deserve that.

          “It doesn’t come from just one area, same when we’re in Cardiff. Everyone comes from everywhere to get there. So if you’re from Cardiff as well, you have to get down there to Swansea. That’s how I see it.

          “I believe it adds to our players, it helps them. I believe national teams, countries like ours, should be playing in front of full stadiums.”

        81. Davies ready for Canada test

          Cymru captain Ben Davies spoke to the media on Monday afternoon ahead of the International Challenge Match against Canada in Swansea.

          “The mentality we have within the group, we really feel that we can qualify for the World Cup,” said Davies. “We are determined to do that and every time we come on camp that’s the long-term focus for us. Playing teams like Canada will be a good test for us.

          “Every game that we have as a group has a big meaning for us. It’s a friendly but it’s a great chance for us to test ourselves some really good players.

          “As far as we’re concerned, we want to win the game, we want to put a good performance in and walk onto the field with the same pride we have every time we wear the Welsh shirt.”

          Head coach Craig Bellamy is expected to give an opportunity to some of the younger players in the squad following Dylan Lawlor’s impressive debut against Kazakhstan last week.

          “They’re a really important part of our group,” Davies explained. “Quite a few of them have been with us now for the last few camps. They work hard every day, show a lot of quality and they help the team as a whole.”

        87. Group J Update

          While Craig Bellamy’s Cymru were busy preparing for Tuesday’s International Challenge Match against Canada at the Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday, there was plenty of action in Group J of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

          North Macedonia moved back to the top of the group with a 5-0 win over Liechtenstein in Skopje, while Belgium claimed a convincing 6-0 victory over Kazakhstan in Brussels.

          The results mean that Cymru drop down to third in Group J but remain just one point behind North Macedonia. Cymru now return to competitive action against Belgium in Cardiff on 13 October.

        91. Preparations continue

          Head coach Craig Bellamy and his Cymru squad were back on the training ground this weekend as preparations continue ahead of the upcoming match against Canada at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday, 9 September (7.45pm).

          A goal from Kieffer Moore on his 50th international sealed a 1-0 win for Cymru over Kazakhstan in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Astana on Thursday to move Bellamy’s side to the top of Group J.

          Meanwhile, Canada claimed a 3-0 win over Romania in Bucharest on Friday through goals from Jonathan David, Ali Ahmed and Niko Sigur.

          Tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased here with prices starting at just £5 for children.

        93. Previous meetings

          There have only been three previous matches between Cymru and Canada as the two nations prepare to meet again at the Swansea.com Stadium in an international challenge match on Tuesday, 9 September (7.45pm)

          Cymru have the overall advantage over their opponents having won two of the three previous meetings although it was Canada that claimed the win when they first came together in Toronto back in May 1986.

          The first match would have historical significance for the game in Canada as a goal from Igor Vrablic and an own goal from the late Joey Jones in the opening half sealed a 2-0 victory for the home side. It was the first time that Canada had defeated a European nation in a senior international.

          The second match took place nine days later in Vancouver. Dean Saunders scored twice for Cymru before Malcolm Allen completed the 3-0 win in the final 10 minutes following his introduction from the bench.

          The last meeting between Cymru and Canada was watched by almost 11,000 fans in Wrexham as Paul Parry scored his one and only senior international goal to earn his side a 1-0 victory. Current head coach Craig Bellamy also started the match for Mark Hughes’s side.

        94. Tickets available for Cymru v Canada

          Cymru will take on Canada for the first time since May 2004 on Tuesday when the two nations meet at the Swansea.com Stadium (7.45pm)

          Head coach Craig Bellamy was named in the starting line-up at that match in Wrexham as Paul Parry scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory.

          Former Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch took charge of Canada in May 2024 and the side are currently ranked 28th in the FIFA Rankings while Cymru are in 31st place.

          “It’s a really, really good game due to how they press and how they trigger,” said Bellamy to Sgorio following the win over Kazakhstan on Thursday. “They’re the type and quality of opposition that I really wanted.”

          Tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased here with prices starting at just £5 for children.

        96. 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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