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    Cymru vs. Slovakia | 2025 European Women’s Championship – WEQ Play-offs Round 1

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        3. Player reaction

          Ceri Holland spoke about her pride after scoring an important goal for Cymru. She provided her comments to BBC Wales.

          “I think I’ve just scored the most important goal of my career. The fans were incredible but Slovakia made it really difficult for us tonight.

          “They made it difficult for us out there and to get the job done and see how much it means for everyone is incredible.

          “It’s everyone’s dream in this group to make a major tournament for our country. We’re on the cusp of it now but there’s still plenty of work to do.

        4. Manager reaction

          Rhian Wilkinson gave her post-match reaction to BBC Wales.

          “I have nothing to complain about after that, I’m thrilled.

          “We’d prepared for penalties, we knew Slovakia would give everything they have. They’re well coached and well organised but my team matched them tonight, I’m a very proud coach tonight.

          “We’ve got to keep building. Tonight was a phenomenal win, fantastic the way they didn’t quit on each other, we still have to be better but we know that.

          “Momentum builds and we’ll learn so much from such a resilient display tonight.”

        5. The EE Player of the Match was Ceri Holland.

        6. Match Summary

          Cymru have reached the Play-Off Final for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 following a 2-0 win in Cardiff against Slovakia to overturn a first-leg defeat.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s team have now set up a two-legged match against the Republic of Ireland in late November and early December. Tickets are on sale and can be secured by clicking here.

          Slovakia came into the match with a 2-1 lead and were confident of progressing but a much improved performance saw Cymru in complete control of the second-leg.

          As Slovakia looked to hold on to their slender aggregate lead, it seemed inevitable that their defence would eventually get breached and as half-time approached, Angharad James provided the pass that gave Jess Fishlock the opportunity to score and bring the tie level on aggregate.

          Extra-time was needed to decide the tie though after a somewhat wasteful second half when in front of goal with Ffion Morgan going close twice in succession right at the start of the second half and Ceri Holland also had her fair share of attempts.

          Fishlock did get the ball in the back of the net on two occasions but offside decisions thwarted Cymru.

          It looked like an offside flag would cancel out a third Cymru goal after Kayleigh Barton first hit the post after running through onto Fishlock’s defence splitting pass, before Holland fired the ball home. VAR intervened and confirmed that Barton was onside from the pass and it confirmed Cymru’s 2-0 lead.

          Slovakia’s battle was over as Cymru held that lead for the final five minutes of extra-time to book their place in the play-off final.

        8. Breathe it in!

        11. 115'

          GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!

          VAR overturns the decision. Cymru are 2-0 up and leading 3-2 on aggregate. Holland with the goal!

        12. 112'

          Barton hits the post, Holland puts in the rebound but the goal has been ruled out. VAR check underway.

        13. 106'

          The match is underway once again.

        14. EXTRA-TIME – HALF-TIME

          There’s 15 minutes left for Cymru or Slovakia to find the breakthrough or we could be heading to a penalty shoot-out here in Caerdydd.

        15. 103'

          The ball falls to Fishlock on the edge of the box, she strikes on the volley but her effort is off target.

        16. 101'

          After all the dominance during 90 minutes, extra-time is a lot more even between the teams as Welsh legs have tired.

        17. 91'

          EXTRA-TIME KICKS OFF

          The action is back underway at a nervy Cardiff City Stadium.

        18. 90' + 25'

          Goal

          HOLLAND Ceri

        19. FULL-TIME

          Extra-time is needed to decide this tie as the referee blows her whistle with the match 2-2 on aggregate.

          Cymru got the goal they so desired in the first half but have been somewhat wasteful in the second half with Morgan going close twice in succession and Holland also having her fair share of attempts.

          Fishlock did get the ball into the back of the net on two occasions but offside decisions thwarted Cymru.

          A big 30 minutes coming up in this play-off semi-final.

        20. 90' + 1'

          Barton heads on for Holland but the strike is hit wide and high as Cymru try to create another opportunity in the closing minutes of regulation time.

        21. 90'

          There will be 2 minutes of added time.

        22. 85'

          With five minutes left on the clock, extra-time looms as the match is all square on aggregate at 2-2.

        23. 84'

          Substitution

          MCATEER Mary replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        24. 84'

          Substitution

          BARTON Kayleigh replaces ROWE Rachel

        25. 83'

          Cymru give up possession allowing Morávková a clean run at goal. Thankfully for Cymru, she shoots wide of Clark’s goal.

        26. 78'

          Holland goes on a dangerous run into the box but a last ditch sliding tackle puts the ball behind for a corner.

        27. 77'

          Substitution

          PATRICIA FISCHEROVA replaces MÁRIA MIKOLAJOVÁ

        28. 76'

          Substitution

          KRISTÍNA PANÁKOVÁ replaces MARTINA ŠURNOVSKÁ

        29. 76'

          Yellow card

          DIANA BARTOVIČOVÁ

        30. 74'

          It’s important that Cymru keep their composure, they’re giving a lot the ball as Slovakia fail to hold onto it when in possession.

        31. 69'

          GÔÔÔ….. NOOOOOOO!!! Fishlock nets but it’s chalked off for offside…. AGAIN!

        32. 65'

          Substitution

          TAMARA MORÁVKOVÁ replaces PATRÍCIA HMÍROVÁ

        33. 65'

          Substitution

          LAURA RETKESOVÁ replaces SOFIA ŠKERDOVÁ

        34. 64'

          GÔÔÔ….. NOOOOOOO!!! Fishlock nets but it’s chalked off for offside.

        35. Morgan watches her shot go wide after two fantastic opportunities to give Cymru the lead on aggregate.

        36. 55'

          Substitution

          KLAUDIA FABOVÁ replaces DARINA HRÚZIKOVÁ

        37. 54'

          Holland is set free into the box but some committed defending sees her shot blocked and put behind for a corner.

        38. 48'

          Morgan set free again but shoots wide. What a chance that was! Cymru will feel they should have a two-goal lead here.

        39. 47'

          Morgan breaks into the box and the ball lands kindly for her after a challenge but she sends her strike wide.

        40. 46'

          A goal for either team could be enough to take them through to the play-off final for EURO 2025.

        41. 46'

          SECOND HALF!

          Slovakia get the match back underway.

        43. HALF-TIME

          That’s the first half that Cymru wanted. Rhian Wilkinson will be pleased to see a much improved performance in this second-leg against Slovakia.

          Cymru have dominated the play as Slovakia looked to hold on to their slender aggregate lead, however, it seemed inevitable that their defence would eventually get breached.

          As half-time approached, Angharad James provided the pass that gave Fishlock the opportunity to give Cymru the lead on the night and draw them level 2-2 on aggregate.

        44. 44'

          Fishlock through again… was she bundled over?! No decision from the referee and no VAR intervention.

        46. 40'

          A defensive blunder nearly hands Fishlock another goal as it’s played into her path. Korenčiová is alive to it and blocks the shot by narrowing the angle.

        47. 39'

          James gets the assist having played the ball through to Fishlock. It’ll be interesting to see how Slovakia react.

        48. 39'

          HERE WE GO!!!!! JESS FISHLOCK SCORES!!!!!

          It’s all level on aggregate at 2-2.

        49. 39'

          Goal

          FISHLOCK Jessica Anne

        50. 37'

          Woodham takes a corner and swings it to the far post. It appeared to be beating the keeper but Korenčiová grabs the ball underneath her bar.

        51. 34'

          Rowe sends a pass into the box for Morgan, who holds off a defender to shoot but her strike doesn’t have enough power.

        52. 33'

          Cymru are keeping the pressure on their opponents but so far Slovakia have held on to their slender aggregate lead.

        53. 26'

          Rowe has a great opportunity to score but mishits her shot. Cymru feel like they’re getting closer and closer here.

        54. 25'

          Free kick for Cymru and Woodham swings the ball into the box where the defence are not convincing in dealing with it. The ball is returned into the box but the keeper beats Fishlock to the ball.

        55. 19'

          Slovakia with an opportunity to get the ball into the box from a free kick but a wild kick sees the opportunity go high and wide.

        56. 11'

          Cymru are piling on the pressure here as the Slovak defence make a series of forced errors. An offside flag gives them some respite but this is a good start from Rhian Wilkinson’s team.

        57. 📸 Tîm Cymru

        58. 8'

          Woodham attacks the left wing and crosses into the box for Holland but the ball is taken out of the air by Kirenčiová.

        59. 7'

          Rowe goes on the attack for Cymru and has two options for a pass with Fishlock running through the defence on her left. Instead, she picked out Morgan with a reverse pass but the ball was cut out by the Slovak defence.

        60. KICK OFF!

          Cymru get this second-leg underway. The score is 2-1 on aggregate to Slovakia.

        61. '

          Substitution

          CAIN Hannah replaces GRIFFITHS Alice

        62. '

          Substitution

          GREEN Josie replaces WOODHAM Lily

        63. One match has already kicked off.

        66. The team news is in. Rhian Wilkinson has named 4 changes to the Cymru team that played in the first-leg against Slovakia.

          Rhiannon Roberts, Jess Fishlock, Ffion Morgan and Alice Griffiths all come into the starting XI.

        68. Slovakia are confident

          Ahead of the match, Slovakia player Patrícia Hmírová, told the Slovak Football Association website: “We did well in the first match and I hope that after the second-leg, it will be us who will enjoy progressing to the next part of the playoffs. I feel from the girls that we are ready to achieve this historic result.”

          Michal Švihorík, assistant manager of the national team, added: “We want to present ourselves with our game and fight for qualification. Although the first match was difficult, all the girls are healthy and we are very happy about that. We have not yet decided whether we will make changes in the lineup.”

        70. The players are in good spirits on their pre-match walk ahead of the second-leg.

        71. Words of support

          Hundreds of children have put pen to paper and have written poems to show their support for Cymru, who have reached the UEFA Women’s EURO play-offs for the first time.

          Literature Wales and the FAW teamed up to ask the children of Wales to celebrate Cymru’s achievement and show how inspiring they are using the power of poetry. Submissions were sent in droves by teachers and parents alike. From Anglesey to Narberth, Merthyr to Mold, Rhyl to Brecon, children from 6 – 16 years of age have been inspired by the Welsh women’s team, who stand on the brink of making history. 

          The Cymru squad, including, Manager Rhian Wilkinson and players Angharad James, Jess Fishlock, Hayley Ladd, Kayleigh Barton and many more, were surprised with the creative efforts of Wales’ creative children.

          Angharad James, Cymru Captain said: “We’re truly inspired by the support we’re seeing from schools and children all over Wales, it means the world to us. Reading these poems filled with passion, pride, and creativity has given us an extra boost ahead of Tuesday’s crucial game. ”

          Read more by clicking here

          Watch more by clicking here

        74. Press talk

          Cymru captain Angharad James, Jess Fishlock and head coach Rhian Wilkinson all sat down with the media on Monday afternoon to discuss the challenge ahead.

          “You can have an off-day and you can put it right – we are very grateful that we have another opportunity,” said Wilkinson as she reflected on the 1st leg defeat.

          “We are down at half-time. We have got to deliver and we know that. How do we improve? We show up as Wales. We show up as Wales in everything we do.”

          Click here to watch the full press conference on RedWall+

        77. Training in the rain

          The Cymru squad continued their preparations today ahead of Tuesday’s huge play-off match against Slovakia as the rain poured down in Cardiff.

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson confirmed that she has a fully-fit squad available as her side look to make amends for the 2-1 defeat to Slovakia in the 1st leg.

        79. James talks togetherness

          Angharad James (below) will lead Cymru out against Slovakia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night and spoke to the media earlier this afternoon.

          “We’ve had hard conversations and now we’ve prepared the right way to put things right,” explained James when asked about Friday’s 1st leg defeat. “Our togetherness is what sets us apart from any other team or nation. We get behind each other when we need to, and we can achieve big things.

          “Tomorrow is a very important game, we know the pressure is on us. Our support has been great for years, our away support has grown and they helped us with that last push. They’re on this journey with us and I’m sure we can make them proud.”

        82. Fishlock fitness confirmed

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson confirmed on Monday that Jess Fishlock (below) will start against Slovakia having recovered from injury, and the talismanic midfielder sat down with the media to look ahead to this crucial match.

          “Injuries are part of the game,” said Fishlock. “It was terrible timing, but I’m as ready as ever and I’m super excited for tomorrow, I can’t wait. We understand what the circumstances are, there’s 90 minutes to go and we don’t need to panic.

          “We had a bad game, it happens, and we would rather do that in the 1st leg than the 2nd leg. It’s up to us now to put in a performance that we know we’re capable of producing.”

          Fishlock came off the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Slovakia and made an immediate impression, as Cymru’s all-time leading appearance holder and goalscorer provided the assist for Ffion Morgan’s vital goal.

          “Playing for Wales, for me, just means the most,” she added. “I play each game as if it was my first or my last. Getting to a major tournament with your country is the pinnacle of your career, and we’re at a point where we feel we have a good enough group.”

        86. Back to it

          Preparations for the huge return match against Slovakia on Tuesday night continued today as the Cymru squad took to the training ground.

          The 2-1 defeat in the 1st leg of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Play-Off Semi-Final means that Rhian Wilkinson’s side have it all to do at the Cardiff City Stadium and will need the Red Wall to come out in force and get behind the team.

          Kick off on Tuesday is at 7.15pm and you can get your tickets here

        88. James expects better on Tuesday

          Cymru captain Angharad James is expecting an improved performance from her side on Tuesday night following the 2-1 defeat to Slovakia on Friday.

          “It’s half-time, we’ve got another home leg to come on Tuesday and it’s more important than ever,” said James to BBC Sport Wales following the defeat.

          Cymru must now turn the tie around at the Cardiff City Stadium to move a step closer to a first appearance at the finals of a major tournament.

          “Hopefully we can get a big crowd there to get behind us,” James added. “We’ll give it everything we’ve got. We’ll learn from it and we will be better for Tuesday.”

        90. Wilkinson calls on Red Wall

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson believes the home support can make a big difference to her side on Tuesday night as they look to reverse Friday’s 2-1 defeat against Slovakia.

          “My message to the fans is to come on out, support us, we need you,” said Wilkinson to BBC Sport Wales after the match. “This team thrives with the passion of the crowd behind them, and now that we’re a goal down, we absolutely need them in Cardiff.

          “Even for our confidence, just to get that goal over the line at the end means we come back home and start on the front foot in front of our fans, and hopefully playing our brand of football.”

          Kick off on Tuesday is at 7.15pm and you can get your tickets here

        93. As it stands

          Cymru return to the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night and looking to make amends for the 1st leg defeat against Slovakia in their UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Play-Off Semi-Final.

          Slovakia head to the capital with a 2-1 advantage from the match in Poprad on Friday night, but it could have been much worse for Rhian Wilkinson’s side as substitute Ffion Morgan (below) scored what might prove to be a crucial late goal to reduce the deficit.

          The winners of the match are expected to face the Republic of Ireland in the Play-Off Final following their 6-0 win over Georgia, and Cymru will need the support of the Red Wall like never before to turn things around against a tough and determined Slovakia side.

          Kick off on Tuesday is at 7.15pm and you can get your tickets here

        94. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

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                Gd
                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

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