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    Cymru vs. Northern Ireland | 2026 A Internationals – EQ Friendlies – Fixtures

    Live

        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. Craig Bellamy speaking in his post-match press conference:

          “I was so disappointed in the first half, but the second half was a lot better. When I see the first half, that’s down to me, maybe I didn’t motivate them enough. We wasted a half there, and that can’t happen. Excuses are for other people, that’s not for us. What Northern Ireland do they do really well, so it was them as well.

          “We’ve got to stay in Nations League A. Now, how do we do that? Do we become more pragmatic? It’s a big ask, but we have to push for it. I’ll have two weeks off now, I’m done, emotionally, and I need this period to rest and spend time with my family and then look at where I can improve? Where can I get better?

          “I need to keep learning, going to see people, how I can get better and get this group to stay in League A. We’re not going to play-offs anymore, we’re going to be number one, that’s my aim.”

        2. Sorba Thomas has been voted your EE Seren Y Gêm following tonight’s fan vote.

        6. MATCH SUMMARY

          Cymru were held to a 1-1 draw by Northern Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium, as Craig Bellamy’s side responded strongly in the second half to earn a share of the spoils in this international challenge match.

          The fixture provided an opportunity for both nations to move forward following the disappointment of missing out on the FIFA World Cup Play-Off Final, with Cymru edged out on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Ireland defeated by Italy. Following that setback, both teams approached the contest with a focus on building momentum for the future.

          Cymru made a bright start in front of The Red Wall, applying early pressure and forcing a series of corners. Lewis Koumas was particularly lively in the opening stages, testing Conor Hazard with a well-struck effort as Cymru looked to take control.

          Despite that positive start, it was Northern Ireland who took the lead on 23 minutes. Jamie Donley reacted quickest after his initial effort struck the post, converting the rebound to put the visitors ahead. Northern Ireland grew in confidence following the goal and threatened again soon after, with Donley going close to adding a second as Cymru were forced to defend.

          Cymru responded well as the half progressed, with Joel Colwill seeing an effort blocked and Harry Wilson pulling the strings in midfield, but the hosts went into the break trailing.

          Bellamy’s side made an immediate impact after the restart. Within moments of the second half getting underway, Sorba Thomas latched onto a precise through ball from David Brooks and calmly slotted home to bring Cymru level.

          The equaliser sparked Cymru into life, and they pushed forward in search of a winner. Neco Williams saw a low effort saved following a clever free-kick routine, while Wilson went close late on as Cymru continued to apply pressure.

          Northern Ireland remained a threat on the counter, and Karl Darlow produced an excellent save to deny Eoin Toal from close range. In stoppage time, Callum Marshall headed over from a promising position as both sides searched for a decisive goal.

          Ultimately, the match ended level, with Cymru taking positives from their second-half performance as they look to build towards their next fixtures and move on from recent disappointment.

        7. FULL-TIME SUMMARY

          Cymru are held to a 1-1 draw by Northern Ireland after an improved second-half display. Jamie Donley gave the visitors a first-half lead, but Sorba Thomas responded immediately after the break with a well-taken equaliser. Cymru pushed for a winner and created chances, but were unable to find a decisive goal as the match ended level.

        8. 90' + 2'

          Northern Ireland’s Marshall has a free header in the box but the ball is directed over the crossbar.

        9. 90'

          3 minutes of added time.

        10. 88'

          Substitution

          NORRINGTON-DAVIES Rhys replaces DASILVA Jay Rhys

        12. 80'

          Substitution

          Paul Smyth replaces Terry Devlin

        13. 80'

          Substitution

          Tom Atcheson replaces Ethan Galbraith

        14. 78'

          So close from Wilson as he runs into the box to meet the ball for a strike, which he sends wide of the post.

        15. 77'

          With under 15 minutes left to play, can either team break the deadlock?

        16. 71'

          Substitution

          JOHNSON Brennan replaces THOMAS Sorba

        17. 71'

          Substitution

          AMPADU Ethan replaces LAWLOR Dylan

        18. 64'

          Substitution

          Brodie Spencer replaces Ciaron Brown

        19. 64'

          Substitution

          Jamie Reid replaces Jamie Donley

        20. 64'

          Substitution

          Brad Lyons replaces Patrick Kelly

        21. 64'

          Substitution

          BROADHEAD Nathan Paul replaces KOUMAS Lewis

        23. 61'

          Yellow card

          Ethan Galbraith

        24. 59'

          How didn’t Northern Ireland score there?! Darlow, that’s how. The Cymru keeper gets across his goal line to deny Toal’s free header in the box as a result of Galbraith’s original free kick into the penalty area.

        25. 57'

          At the free kick, a touch from Wilson sets up Williams who curls a low shot at goal, which is beaten away by replacement Northern Ireland goalkeeper Charles.

        26. 56'

          Brooks is grounded by a foul and Cymru are awarded a free kick outside the box.

        27. Sorba Thomas ❤️

        29. 46'

          Goal

          THOMAS Sorba

        30. 46'

          Substitution

          George Saville replaces Shea Charles

        31. 46'

          Substitution

          Callum Marshall replaces Isaac Price

        32. 46'

          Substitution

          Pierce Charles replaces Conor Hazard

        33. 46'

          Substitution

          JAMES Daniel Owen replaces COLWILL Joel

        34. 46'

          Substitution

          LAWLOR Dylan replaces CABANGO Benjamin

        35. 46'

          A fantastic start to the second half as Thomas levels the game for Cymru.

        36. 46'

          Thomas gets the second half underway for Cymru.

        37. HALF-TIME SUMMARY

          Cymru trail Northern Ireland 1-0 at the break at Cardiff City Stadium after Jamie Donley’s 23rd-minute strike. Cymru made a bright start, with Lewis Koumas forcing an early save, but Northern Ireland grew into the game and looked dangerous on the counter. Cymru responded well late in the half, with Joel Colwill going close as they pushed for an equaliser.

        38. 45'

          There’s 1 minute of added time.

        39. 44'

          The free kick is hit wide of Northern Ireland’s lefthand post.

        40. 44'

          Cymru have a dangerous free kick about 25-yards out from goal.

        41. 41'

          Desperate defending by Cymru as a scramble in the their box nearly sees Price have a chance to score but Sheehan blocks the shot.

        43. 39'

          Yellow card

          BROOKS David

        44. 35'

          Cymru lose possession high up the pitch and with Darlow off his line Price takes a long distance shot but its not high enough to evade the Cymru keeper who pushes away for a corner.

        45. 32'

          The pressure of Wilson’s trickery and Williams’ cross force Northern Ireland into conceding a corner.

        46. 30'

          Cymru nearly pull themselves level through Colwill but Toal blocks the effort. Cymru are getting themselves back in control.

        47. 27'

          Donley nearly scores a second as he finds space in between the Welsh defence to get on the end of a squared pass into the penalty box. Northern Ireland are on top.

        49. 22'

          Goal

          Jamie Donley

        50. 22'

          Northern Ireland get the ball in the back of the net after a period of nice play. Donley sees his first effort strike the post but made no mistake with the follow-up.

        51. The best chance of the half so far has fallen to Koumas, who drew a save from Hazard.

        53. The team photo formation 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

        54. 7'

          Koumas is looking lively as he shimmies away from his marker to open up the space he needs to shoot. It’s a decent strike but Hazard saved the effort for Northern Ireland.

        55. 5'

          Northern Ireland do well to withstand the pressure and get the ball back up the pitch, giving possession back to Cymru.

        56. 5'

          Thomas plays corner short and Dasilva crosses into the box and it’s booted behind for another corner.

        57. 4'

          Koumas forces a corner and Wilson sends a terrific ball into the box that’s headed away for another corner.

        58. 3'

          A lovely switch of play as Thomas sends a cross field pass to Brooks who does well to keep the ball in play. Northern Ireland under pressure here.

        59. 1'

          KICK OFF!
          Northern Ireland get the match underway.

        60. '

          Substitution

          LAWLOR Dylan replaces CABANGO Benjamin

        61. The anthems have been sung. Kick off is next.

        62. Harry Wilson wears the captain’s armband against Northern Ireland.

        64. Craig Bellamy has also handed a start to Ben Cabango.

        65. Josh Sheehan starts for Cymru 📸

        68. CYMRU XI 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

          Craig Bellamy has named his team for tonight’s game against Northern Ireland here in Cardiff. Joel Colwill makes his first start, Lewis Koumas gets the nod and Harry Wilson captains the team.

        70. Cardiff City Stadium is ready for this International Challenge Match.

        71. WILSON ON NEXT STEP OF CYMRU JOURNEY

          Cymru star Harry Wilson spoke to the media on Monday to reflect on Thursday’s penalty shoot-out defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina and explain why the match against Northern Ireland this evening is another important step in their journey.

          “The mood has naturally been down, obviously we’re gutted with how it finished,” said Wilson. “Everyone’s disappointed but the manager is big on that the past is gone now and we have another game to prepare for and get ready for.

          “It’s an experience we didn’t want, but we can’t affect that now. We’ll remember that night and try and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

          Cymru take on Northern Ireland in Cardiff on Tuesday as both nations were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Offs, with the visitors suffering a 2-0 defeat against Italy.

          “For us it’s another game for our country, another game where we get to put that shirt on and sing the anthem, so it’s a pleasure for us,” Wilson added.

          “People may see it has a bit of dead rubber game, but we see it as a game where we can improve, get better and another game in our journey of where we’re trying to get to.”

        74. BELLAMY ON WORLD CUP HURT

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy spoke to the media on Monday afternoon and discussed the hurt of missing out on a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

          “It has really hurt. I have to be honest, it’s hurt more than I anticipated,” said Bellamy. “When you see them (players) hurting so much, that hurts more. Seeing their disappointment really shook me.

          “If it’s going to hurt for a couple of days, then let it hurt, and then we move forward. Learn from the past and then, moving forward, look at motivation.

          “We’ve got a lot to look forward to, and we’ve got to start looking forward now because the simple fact is we have a game tomorrow night.”

          Bellamy also spoke about his future as Cymru look ahead to the next UEFA Nations League campaign and co-hosting EURO 2028. “The energy to refocus and go again is definitely still there,” he added.

          “I really enjoy this. We’ll talk more after Tuesday, probably because my mind is just so focused on the present moment. But it’s the best role in the world.

          “Nothing will ever compare to this so why would I want to wish it away? I’ve really enjoyed doing this and I still do.”

        76. PREPARATIONS

          The Cymru squad were back on the training ground this morning ahead of the match against Northern Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening (7:45pm).

          Both teams suffered the disappointment of defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Offs last week as Cymru lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties while Northern Ireland went down 2-0 against Italy.

          The focus is very much on the future for Craig Bellamy and his players now as they look to the next UEFA Nations League campaign that will see Cymru take on Portugal, Norway and Denmark in League A4.

        79. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

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          Substitutes

            Starting

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                Table

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                Match Info

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                Date & Time

                Referee

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