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

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. EXPLAINED: WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS

          Cymru’s journey towards the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil will continue this autumn after Rhian Wilkinson’s side secured a place in the play-offs. Having finished as League B Group B1 winners in the UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers, Cymru are among 32 nations who remain in contention for one of Europe’s remaining places at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

          Click here to find out how the play-offs work and what Cymru need to do to qualify for the World Cup.

        5. The EE Seren Y GĂŞm, voted for by the fans, is Ceri Holland.

        7. Confirmation that Cymru have topped their qualifying group. The draw for the play-offs takes place on 18 June. Play-off round 1 matches will be played 7-13 October. Click here for more.

        8. MATCH SUMMARY:

          Cymru produced an outstanding display to defeat Czechia 3-1 at Cardiff City Stadium and finish top of Group B1 in FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying.

          Knowing only a victory would be enough to leapfrog Czechia and secure a more favourable play-off path, Rhian Wilkinson’s side responded brilliantly after falling behind early on to claim a deserved and memorable win.

          The visitors made the perfect start when Michaela Khýrovå raced onto a ball over the top and calmly slotted beyond Safia Middleton-Patel after just six minutes.

          However, Cymru responded almost immediately. After sustained pressure around the Czechia penalty area, Sophie Ingle found Lily Woodham in space, sweeping home the equaliser in the 10th minute on the occasion of her 50th senior international appearance.

          Buoyed by the goal, Cymru grew into the contest and created the better openings before the break. Carrie Jones and Hannah Cain both went close, while Mared Griffiths was denied by goalkeeper Olivie Lukášová after being played through by Ingle. Czechia remained dangerous on the counter and struck the post through Kateřina Kotrčová, but the teams went into half-time level at 1-1.

          Cymru emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and took the lead within four minutes of the restart. Ceri Holland delivered a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area and Gemma Evans rose highest to glance a header into the far corner, sending Cardiff City Stadium into celebration.

          The hosts continued to dominate possession and territory as Czechia struggled to gain a foothold in the game. Their superiority was rewarded with a third goal on 73 minutes when Holland surged into the penalty area before squaring for Griffiths, who applied a simple finish from close range.

          Wilkinson’s side remained in control during the closing stages, although Czechia came close to reducing the deficit when Sabina Střížová struck the underside of the crossbar deep into stoppage time.

          The final whistle confirmed a deserved 3-1 victory for Cymru, who finish top of Group B1 and head into the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-offs full of confidence and momentum.

        9. FULL-TIME SUMMARY:

          Cymru secured a superb 3-1 victory over Czechia at Cardiff City Stadium to finish top of Group B1 and strengthen their hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. After falling behind to Michaela Khýrová’s early strike, Rhian Wilkinson’s side responded brilliantly through Lily Woodham’s equaliser. Cymru took control after the break and deservedly moved ahead when Gemma Evans headed home from Ceri Holland’s free-kick. The hosts continued to dominate and sealed the win through Mared Griffiths, who converted Holland’s low cross. The result sends Cymru into the play-offs with valuable momentum and confidence.

        10. 90' + 3'

          Střížová hits the underside of the crossbar but fortunately for Cymru it rebounds back out.

        11. 90' + 2'

          StĂĄrovĂĄ attempts to give Czechia some hope as she fires the ball through a crowded box but strikes wide.

        12. 90' + 1'

          Substitution

          ROSS Mia replaces INGLE Sophie

        13. 90'

          There will be 3 minutes of added time.

        14. 86'

          Czechia send a dangerous free kick into the Cymru box but the ball was met by James, who headed the immediate danger away for a corner.

        15. It was an incredible assist from Holland, who powered through the Czechia half of the pitch and into the box before setting up Griffiths. The Cymru scorer shows her appreciation here.

        16. 82'

          Hughes holds off her marker in the box to run and get a shot off. LukĂĄĹĄovĂĄ makes the save, collecting ball into her arms.

        18. 78'

          Substitution

          ROWE Rachel replaces JONES Carrie

        19. 78'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Elise replaces GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw

        20. 77'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Ffion Alys replaces WOODHAM Lily

        21. 77'

          Substitution

          Klára Cvrčková replaces Jana Žufánková

        22. 76'

          Substitution

          Nela Krejčířová replaces Kateřina Kotrčová

        24. 75'

          There’s just 15 minutes of the match left and Cymru are exactly where they want to be. There’s some breathing space between themselves and Czechia. Cymru are currently topping the group.

        25. 73'

          Goal

          GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw

        26. 72'

          GÔL! Griffiths makes it 3-1 as Holland squares a pass across the 6-yard box for an easy finish.

        27. 65'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Laura replaces CAIN Hannah

        28. 64'

          Substitution

          Sabina Střížová replaces Aneta Polášková

        29. 60'

          As the match hits the hour mark, Rhian Wilkinson will be pleased with what she’s seen in this second half so far. Cymru have got themselves in front and are dominating possession.

        31. 49'

          GÔL! Holland puts a free kick into the box where it’s met by the head of Evans, who is unmarked. She heads the ball on and into the net. Cymru lead!

        32. 49'

          Goal

          EVANS Gemma Jayne

        33. 46'

          Cymru get the second-half underway. This is a big half of football for Rhian Wilkinson’s team.

        34. 46'

          Substitution

          Barbora PolcarovĂĄ replaces Lucie BendovĂĄ

        35. HALF-TIME SUMMARY:

          Cymru and Czechia went into the break level at 1-1 in a tense FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium. The visitors struck first after five minutes when Michaela Khýrová raced through to finish clinically, but Cymru responded quickly through Lily Woodham, who swept home after good work from Sophie Ingle to restore parity. Rhian Wilkinson’s side grew into the contest and created the better opportunities, with Carrie Jones and Hannah Cain both going close as Cymru pushed for a second. Czechia threatened sporadically, hitting the post through Kateřina Kotrčová, but the teams remained deadlocked at half-time. Cymru need to win in order to top their group.

        36. 45'

          There’s one minute of added time in the first half.

        37. 43'

          Cymru are missing some chances here. Jones and Cain go close as half-time approaches.

        38. 41'

          A rare Czechia attack and they nearly score from it as Kotrčová breaks through and hits the post.

        39. 38'

          Woodham takes the corner, sending the ball to the near post where it’s easily cleared.

        40. 38'

          Another corner for Cymru as Cain’s shot is blocked for a corner after she received a cross from Holland on the right.

        41. 35'

          Yellow card

          Eva Bartoňovå

        42. 33'

          Cymru come close to taking the lead when Ingle plays Griffiths through into the box. Griffiths’ shot rebounds off LukĂĄĹĄovĂĄ to Jones, whose strike is deflected behind for a corner.

        43. 28'

          The ball is played into the box and it’s initially cleared, but only as far as Jones who hits a half volley that goes wide.

        44. 28'

          The ball is worked up the left with Woodham playing in to Cain. Intelligent play from Cain sees her deflect the ball off a defender for a corner.

        45. 22'

          Yellow card

          CAIN Hannah

        46. 22'

          Cain runs through onto a loose ball in the box but as LukĂĄĹĄovĂĄ collects into her arms, the Cymru attacker follows through and is shown a yellow card.

        47. 📸 Woodham celebrates her equaliser.

        48. 16'

          Woodham takes the corner and swings it into the near post, where a defender is able to head behind for another corner.

        49. 15'

          Holland does some good work on the right to trick a defender to open up space for herself to cross into the box. Under pressure, the ball is headed away for a corner to Cymru.

        51. 10'

          Goal

          WOODHAM Lily

        52. 9'

          GÔL! Woodham equalises for Cymru with an assist from Ingle. Cymru were applying pressure in and around the Czechia 18-yard box, where they overcommitted players leaving Woodham free to receive the pass.

        53. 9'

          Holland sends the free kick into the box but the Czechia defence heads away.

        54. 8'

          Cymru with the chance to get the ball into the Czechia box after Cain is fouled out on the left.

        55. 6'

          Goal

          Michaela Khýrovå

        56. 5'

          Czechia take an early lead as a ball over the top sees Khýrovå run through two defenders on the edge of the box to slot the ball into the net. Not the start Cymru wanted.

        57. 4'

          Cymru nearly pounce on some slack defending but Czechia goalkeeper LukĂĄĹĄovĂĄ and her defence avoid embarrassment.

        58. 2'

          It’s Czechia looking to apply the early pressure in this game with a dangerous free kick outside the box. It’s swung in but cleared by the Cymru defence. The ball lands at the feet of ČernĂĄ, who strikes wide for Czechia.

        59. 1'

          KICK OFF! Czechia get this game underway.

        62. The warm-ups are complete.

        64. Angharad James returns to the starting line-up and will captain Cymru this evening.

        65. CYMRU XI

          Rhian Wilkinson has named her starting XI for this evening’s match. Lily Woodham and Carrie Jones earn their 50th caps.

        66. The stage is set and Cymru must win against Czechia to finish top of their qualifying group for an easier play-off path on their journey to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

        67. Coch for Cymru in this final FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against Czechia for Brasil 2027.

        71. DOUBLE CAP MILESTONE FOR JONES AND WOODHAM

          Cymru duo Carrie Jones and Lily Woodham could both make their 50th senior international appearances on Tuesday in the decisive Group B1 match against Czechia.

          Jones is still just 22 and made her debut as a 15-year-old against the Faroe Islands in August 2019. Currently playing her club football in Sweden with IFK NorrkĂśping, Jones has established herself as an important part of this Cymru side under the last three head coaches and captained the side for the first time in the last match against Montenegro.

          Woodham, 25, also made her senior debut in the return match against the Faroe Islands in Newport a year later and scored with almost her first touch in the 4-0 win. The Liverpool defender has also evolved to become a key part of this Cymru side.

        73. WILKINSON ON CZECHIA TEST AND TRAVEL FRIGHT

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to the media on Monday afternoon and spoke about the challenge of taking on Czechia as well as the travel chaos that disrupted their journey to Montenegro last week.

          Cymru and Czechia are level on points at the top of Group B1 heading into this final match at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday (KO 18:00) with Cymru needing a victory to move above their opponents and potentially earn a more favourable play-off draw.

          “I think that there’s the luck of a draw whether you finish first or second,” said Wilkinson when asked about the implications of Tuesday’s result.

          “Yes, you have a slightly better opportunity finishing first, but I do think momentum-wise and confidence-wise – and for the players to really recognise the growth they’ve made in the last few years – I think it’s important that we win this game.

          “This is a huge game and I think it’s a challenge against a team that is in almost every single category equal to us.”

          Both teams surprisingly dropped points on Friday evening as Cymru were held to 1 -1 draw against Montenegro in Podgorica, and Albania earned a draw by the same scoreline in Prague.

          However, it was the journey to Montenegro that made more headlines as storms over Podgorica resulted in the Cymru plane having to divert to Italy, resulting in the squad arriving a day later than planned. Wilkinson explained on Monday that their plane was struck by lightening.

          “I think absolutely this is going to be a story forever and when they write their autobiographies, I’m pretty sure it will be a chapter,” she explained. “It is one of those things that we were never in danger, but it feels like it.

          “We know that if you’ve ever been on a plane that’s had heavy turbulence or you hit heavy winds, it’s just a frightening moment. It’s out of your control. We’re very glad that they made the right decision to divert and then that we were safely in Italy for a day.

          “It wasn’t just a travel delay, that was a real horror trip and a frightening one as well. There was the physical lack of sleep – a full night of lost sleep – and also a lot of stress.

          “It is one of those things that a lot of people are frightened of and then we have a scary moment there, so thank goodness everyone is healthy.”

        76. CZECHIA PREP

          The Cymru squad were back on the training ground on Sunday following the 1-1 draw against Montenegro in Podgorica on Friday night.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side now host Czechia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday (KO 18:00) to decide which team will top Group B1 and with it earn a more favourable draw in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Offs. Tickets can be purchased here.

          Czechia also dropped points on Friday night as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Albania in Prague. Both nations are now level on 11 points, but Czechia’s two-goal advantage means that Cymru must win to claim top spot.

        78. MEET THE REF

          Deborah Bianchi will take charge of the deciding Group B1 match between Cymru and Czechia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening.

          The 34-year-old from Italy has been a FIFA Referee since 2022 and the following year officiated three matches at the UEFA WU17 Finals in Estonia, including the semi-final between Spain and England.

          Also in 2023, Bianchi refereed the Cymru WU19 team when they hosted their UEFA qualifiers at Dragon Park. That Cymru side included both Mayzee Davies and Mared Griffiths, who have now progressed to the senior squad.

          Veronica Martinelli and Laura Gasparini are the Assistant Referees while Maria Marotta is the Fourth Official. All of the officials are from Italy.

        80. PREVIOUS MEETINGS

          There have been six previous meetings between Cymru and Czechia as the two nations prepare to meet once again to decide which team will claim top spot in Group B1.

          The current qualifying campaign opened in UherskÊ Hradiťte as Czechia and Cymru played out a 2-2 draw. The home side took the lead through Eva Bartoňovå before Hannah Cain equalised, only for Jana Žufånkovå to restore the advantage for Czechia early in the 2nd half.

          However, Cymru striker Elise Hughes (below) then came off the bench to make it 2-2 and score what has now proved to be a crucial equaliser for her side deep into added time.

          Cymru claimed their one and only victory over their opponents back in September 2009 as goals from Jess Fishlock and Emma Plewa sealed a 2-0 win at Llanelli in qualifying for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

          However, the Czechs claimed a 2-1 win in the return match in Prague the following month, with Fishlock again on target for the Cymru consolation goal.

          The two nations came together again at the Cyprus Cup in 2016 and again at the same competition in 2017. The Czech side won the first match 1-0 before the teams played out a 0-0 draw the following year.

          Prior to the current qualifying campaign, the two teams last played against each other in April 2019 in Newport. The friendly international again finished 0-0 and marked defender Loren Dykes becoming Cymru’s second centurion behind Fishlock as she won her 100th cap.

        82. AS IT STANDS

          Cymru and Czechia go head-to-head on Tuesday night in the decisive Group B1 match to determine which nation will win the group and with it earn a more favourable draw for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup play-offs. Tickets for Cymru v Czechia are available here.

          Both teams surprisingly dropped points on Friday evening as Czechia were held to a 1-1 draw by Albania in Prague, while Cymru failed to take advantage as they conceded an equaliser against Montenegro to also draw 1-1 and with it miss their chance to move top.

          Czechia now head into Tuesday’s match at the Cardiff City Stadium on the same points but with a two-goal advantage over Cymru, meaning that only a win for Rhian Wilkinson’s side will see them move above their opponents.

          Meanwhile, Montenegro head to Albania following that confidence-boosting point against Cymru needing a first win of the campaign, and by a significant scoreline, in order to claim third place and with it the final play-off place.

        84. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

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                Table

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                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

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