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

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        3. RHIAN WILKINSON ON CYMRU DRAW

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to BBC Match of the Day Wales following the 2-2 draw with Czechia.

          “I don’t think we can lie about the performance but I’m proud that we stuck in the game, good teams find a way,” she explained. “We had an off day and we found a way, which we haven’t done in the past.

          “Our passing standard and during transitional moments we weren’t at our best, but it’s a good point and a starting point.

          “We’ll keep putting attention on defending set-pieces, I haven’t looked back at the goals yet so I don’t want to say what went wrong but we weren’t strong enough.

          “We’re halfway through this camp, there are improvement areas, and we have to fix them. I thought all our finishers had a good impact, that’s another positive.

          “When we started playing through the midfield you could see our quality. We knew it was going to be a battle, so to get a point away from home is a good result.”

        4. The moment Elise Hughes spared Cymru from defeat

        5. MATCH SUMMARY:

          Elise Hughes secured a valuable point for Cymru deep into added time as the striker came off the bench to head home the equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Czechia.

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson named a strong starting line-up for what was the first competitive match since EURO 2025. All three centurions in Sophie Ingle, Hayley Ladd and captain Angharad James were named in the XI while Olivia Clark was the preferred choice in goal.

          Ceri Holland and Ffion Morgan caused some early problems for Czechia, but it was the home side that took the lead. Cymruโ€™s fragility from set-pieces was again apparent as Eva Bartoลˆovรก capitalised from a corner after 15 minutes and the goal gave Czechia a visible lift.

          Tereza Krejฤiล™รญkovรก, Michaela Khรฝrovรก and Jana ลฝufรกnkovรก were a constant problem for the Cymru defence, but having withstood the continued pressure, Hannah Cain levelled on 30 minutes as she made no mistake from a superb ball into the area from Lily Woodham to finish off an excellent team goal.

          Cain came close adding a second before half-time, but the striker was denied by a fine save Olivie Lukรกลกovรก, while captain Angharad James narrowly cleared the crossbar as she tried her luck from outside the area. The opening half ended with Czechia again unnerving the Cymru defence with a series of corners without success.

          Khรฝrovรก would prove to be a constant threat for Cymru in the second half as Wilkinson opted to replace Morgan with Carrie Jones. The visitors forced a couple of early corners after the restart but there would be a setback on 54 minutes as Czechia restored their lead.

          After being awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area following a foul from Jones, Bartoลˆovรก collected a loose ball before she twisted and turned to create enough space to deliver a perfect ball to the back post where Jana ลฝufรกnkovรก was free to head past Clark.

          Czechiaโ€™s confidence visibly increased and they enjoyed longer spells of possession as they took control of the game. The introduction of attacking duo Mared Griffiths and Elise Hughes offered a different dynamic in attack for Cymru, while Jones forced a fine save from Lukรกลกovรก on 76 minutes.

          Cymru continued to push for an equaliser but in the process were left open on the counter-attack. Czechia did not increase their advantage as Clark denied Polรกลกkovรก in one of their better chances before the final whistle, but with the match in added time, there was still more drama to come.

          Substitute Elise Hughes proved to be the Cymru hero as she headed a superb ball from Gemma Evans past Lukรกลกovรก in the 93rd minute to earn a share of the points. With Cymru and Czechia expected to challenge for top spot in the group, it could prove to be a huge goal in this qualifying campaign.

        6. FULL-TIME VERDICT: Substitute Elise Hughes earned what could prove to be a priceless point for Cymru in this qualifying campaign as she headed home an equaliser in added time to earn her side a 2-2 draw. However, Cymruโ€™s vulnerabilities from set-pieces were again apparent as Bartoลˆovรก and ลฝufรกnkovรก capitalised for the home side while Cain levelled for Cymru in the opening half with a well-worked team goal. Attentions now turn to the visit of Montenegro on Saturday as Wilkinsonโ€™s side look to take charge of the group.

        7. 90' + 5'

          Yellow card

          Franny ฤŒernรก

        8. 90' + 5'

          Yellow card

          Franny ฤŒernรก

        10. 90' + 4'

          Goal

          HUGHES Elise

        11. 90' + 3'

          Goal

          HUGHES Elise

        12. 90' + 3'

          GOAL! There it is! Hughes levels for Cymru with a fine header.

        13. 90' + 2'

          Cymru throwing everything forward now in search of an equaliser.

        14. Mared Griffiths comes off the bench on her 19th birthday

        15. 87'

          Substitution

          Kateล™ina Kotrฤovรก replaces Tereza Krejฤiล™รญkovรก

        16. 87'

          Substitution

          Denisa Veselรก replaces Eva Bartoลˆovรก

        17. 87'

          Substitution

          Kateล™ina Kotrฤovรก replaces Tereza Krejฤiล™รญkovรก

        18. 87'

          Substitution

          Denisa Veselรก replaces Eva Bartoลˆovรก

        19. 82'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Esther replaces WOODHAM Lily

        20. 82'

          Substitution

          ROSS Mia replaces JAMES Angharad

        21. 81'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Esther replaces WOODHAM Lily

        22. 81'

          Substitution

          ROSS Mia replaces JAMES Angharad

        23. 80'

          Substitution

          Kamila Dubcovรก replaces Michaela Khรฝrovรก

        24. 80'

          Substitution

          Kamila Dubcovรก replaces Michaela Khรฝrovรก

        25. 78'

          Polรกลกkovรก goes close for Czechia but Clark gets down well to make the save.

        26. 76'

          A great effort on goal from Jones but Lukรกลกovรก makes a fine save.

        27. Carrie Jones off the bench

        28. 69'

          Substitution

          Andrea Staลกkovรก replaces Michaela Khรฝrovรก

        29. 69'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Elise replaces CAIN Hannah

        30. 68'

          Substitution

          GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw replaces ROWE Rachel

        31. 68'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Elise replaces CAIN Hannah

        32. 68'

          Substitution

          Andrea Staลกkovรก replaces Jana ลฝufรกnkovรก

        33. 68'

          Substitution

          GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw replaces ROWE Rachel

        34. 67'

          Czechia look very much in control of this match now as Wilkinson looks to make double change with Griffiths and Hughes entering the field.

        35. 60'

          Khรฝrovรก causing plenty of problems for the Cymru defence. Czechia have had a real boost with that goal.

        36. Rhiannon Roberts plays the ball forward

        38. 54'

          Goal

          Jana ลฝufรกnkovรก

        39. 54'

          Goal! ลฝufรกnkovรก finishes past Clark after some excellent work from Bartoลˆovรก. Cymru concede again from a set-piece, this time a free-kick on the edge of the area.

        40. 54'

          Goal

          Jana ลฝufรกnkovรก

        41. Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson

        42. 47'

          Superb defending from Holland to deny Khรฝrovรก delivering what would have been a dangerous ball into the area.

        43. 46'

          Substitution

          JONES Carrie replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        44. 46'

          The 2nd half begins as Jones replaces Morgan for Cymru. It will be interesting to see how that changes things tactically for Wilkinson’s side.

        45. HALF-TIME VERDICT: Despite enjoying the better of the early possession, Cymru went a goal down as Bartoลˆovรก made no mistake from a corner after 15 minutes. However, although the home side caused problems for Wilkinsonโ€™s side, mainly through the pace of ลฝufรกnkovรก, Cymru equalised on 30 minutes as Cain finished a fine cross from Woodham. Both teams could have taken a lead into half-time, but it remains level with everything still to play for.

        46. 40'

          A great save from close range by Czechia keeper Lukรกลกovรก to deny Cain who is injured in the process. A great ball through to the striker from Holland too. A big chance.

        47. 37'

          A double effort on goal from Cymru as Morgan’s effort is blocked before James narrowly clears the crossbar. The game has really opened up now.

        48. Ceri Holland in possession

        49. 34'

          That equaliser has sparked Czechia back into this match as ลฝufรกnkovรก and Krejฤiล™รญkovรก ask serious questions of the Cymru defence.

        51. 30'

          Goal

          CAIN Hannah

        52. 30'

          Goal

          CAIN Hannah

        53. 30'

          Goal

          CAIN Hannah

        54. 30'

          GOAL! Cymru level through Cain as the striker makes no mistake from an excellent cross from Woodham. A great response from the visitors.

        55. The Cymru starting line-up

        56. 22'

          Cymru need to refocus after that set-piece setback as we reach the midway point in the opening half.

        57. Sophie Ingle controls the ball under pressure from Michaela Khรฝrovรก

        59. 16'

          Goal

          Eva Bartoลˆovรก

        60. 16'

          Goal

          Eva Bartoลˆovรก

        61. 16'

          Goal

          Eva Bartoลˆovรก

        62. 16'

          Goal

          Eva Bartoลˆovรก

        63. 16'

          Goal

          Eva Bartoลˆovรก

        64. 16'

          GOAL! Czechia take the lead from the resulting corner as Bartoลˆovรก finds herself in space at the back post and makes no mistake from close range.

        65. 15'

          Clark makes a great save to deny Polรกลกkovรก.

        66. 11'

          A decent spell of pressure from Czechia with Polรกลกkovรก looking a danger for the home side.

        67. Eight of Rhian Wilkinson’s starting line-up this evening have at least 50 senior international caps

        68. 5'

          Cymru enjoying the better of the early possession. Just one place between the two nations in the FIFA World Rankings so expect a close match.

        69. 1'

          We’re underway as Cymru kick off this new qualifying campaign.

        70. '

          Substitution

          JONES Carrie replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        71. The Red Wall are here in Czechia as the two teams emerge from the tunnel

        74. MEET THE REF

          Volha Blotskaya of Belarus will take charge of the match between Czechia and Cymru this evening. The 36-year-old has been a FIFA Referee since 2015.

          Laura Emerencia Szabรณ of Hungary and Hanna Nalivaika of Belarus are the Assistant Referees while Valiantsina Sakalovich, also of Belarus, is the Fourth Official. There is no VAR.

        75. The Cymru squad have arrived and kick off is fast approaching

        76. GROUP B1 UPDATE

          Albania are the early leaders in Group B1 following their 2-1 victory in Montenegro earlier this afternoon despite going a goal behind.

          Armisa Kuฤ put Montenegro ahead on 67 minutes but the visitors responded with two goals from Megi Doci to claim maximum points.

          Cymru take on Montenegro at Llanelli on Saturday, 7 March (KO 4:30pm). Tickets are available here.

        78. The stage is set as Cymru prepare to kick-off a new qualifying campaign.

        79. TEAM NEWS

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has named her starting XI for the opening match of the 2027 FIFA Womenโ€™s World Cup qualifying campaign against Czechia.

          Olivia Clark is the preferred choice as goalkeeper while Angharad James captains the side on her 140th senior international appearance.

          Fellow centurions Sophie Ingle and Hayley Ladd are also named in the starting line-up while Hannah Cain leads the front line.

        82. The Cymru squad took in the sights of Uherskรฉ Hradiลกtฤ› earlier today as they prepare to take on Czechia (KO 5:30pm GMT) in their opening World Cup qualifier.

        86. JAMES READY TO REALISE WORLD CUP DREAM

          Cymru captain Angharad James spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday’s opening World Cup qualifier against Czechia and the midfielder has her sights firmly set on reaching Brazil next summer.

          “The World Cup in Brazil, that would be pretty cool,” said James. “It’s in our sights, but we have to take it each game at a time. We have our eyes set on the future of course. We’ve spoken about that, the journey, and we spoke about it before the Euros too.”

          Cymru made history last summer as they made their major tournament debut at EURO 2025 under head coach Rhian Wilkinson, and the immediate target now will be to top Group B ahead of the World Cup play-offs. Click here for more on the qualification process.

          Czechia are Cymru’s main rivals for top spot in the group making Tuesday’s opening match potentially the most difficult. “It’s going to be a tough game,” James explained.

          “We’ve reviewed them and they’re a very direct team. They’re a team that are very good at what they do. We have to counteract that and bring our game to the game and hopefully, if we do that, we get the result we want.”

        89. PREP COMPLETE

          The Cymru squad have completed their preparations for Tuesday’s opening World Cup qualifier against Czechia as they trained at the City Stadium in Uherskรฉ Hradiลกtฤ›.

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson and captain Angharad James also spoke to the media earlier today to look ahead to the start of the new qualifying campaign.

          “What do we want our legacy to be? Is it that one qualification? Absolutely not,” said Wilkinson. “We want to be in the fight every major tournament and I think this team can absolutely do that.

          “I believe this team can absolutely qualify for the World Cup and we’re ready. We just have to deliver and it has to be consistent delivery of what we can do.”

        91. CYMRU ARRIVE

          The Cymru squad arrived in Czechia on Sunday evening ahead of their opening 2027 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the City Stadium in Uherskรฉ Hradiลกte on Tuesday (KO 5:30pm GMT).

          “I always think a new qualifying campaign feels like a new beginning and a new opportunity,” explained head coach Rhian Wilkinson. “I know the players feel the same way.

          “There’s a job to be done. Experimentation is one thing and getting the job done is another. There’s got to be opportunities for the players.

          “So we’ve got to make sure that I’m seeing everyone, that they’re showing what they can deliver, while at the same time making sure we’re taking care of the work on the pitch first.”

        93. CARRIE JONES EXCITED FOR NEW CAMPAIGN

          Cymru are preparing to take on Czechia in their opening World Cup qualifier on Tuesday and Carrie Jones is excited for the challenge ahead.

          โ€œIt would mean the world to reach a World Cup,โ€ said Jones. โ€œWe can now say weโ€™ve been to a EURO, but none of us can say weโ€™ve been to a World Cup, so thatโ€™s the next thing for us.

          โ€œWeโ€™ve got new, clear goals and we want to continue to inspire the next generation, which is still hugely significant for us. But, of course, for this camp itโ€™s pure focus on the next two games.”

          Still only 22, Jones has already made 44 senior appearances for her country and currently plays her club football in Sweden with IFK Norrkรถping.

          โ€œItโ€™s going to be a difficult game to begin with, we know that,โ€ she added. โ€œAll these games will have different challenges, whether we play home or away. Theyโ€™ll each bring something different, and weโ€™ll have to be well prepared.

          โ€œItโ€™s huge to start strong and set the tone for the campaign. Obviously, going away can bring many challenges but we have high expectations as a team, so we want to hit the ground running come Tuesday.โ€

          Click here for more from Carrie Jones

        95. HANNAH CAIN ON THE LESSONS OF 2025

          Cymru star Hannah Cain spoke to the media earlier this week ahead of the start of the new qualifying campaign and reflected on the highs and lows of 2025.

          โ€œI think you can look back at last year in two different ways,โ€ said Cain. โ€œYou can look at it purely on results and think it didnโ€™t go well, but on the other hand, the quality of opposition we faced was higher than weโ€™ve probably ever experienced.”

          Cain scored one of Cymru’s two goals at EURO 2025 but the side exited at the group stage following defeats to the Netherlands, France and England. However, the year ended on a high with a 3-2 victory over Switzerland.

          โ€œWe produced consistently good performances, we just couldnโ€™t quite get the end result in the final moments. In terms of the process and the progress we made over the year, thatโ€™s the main thing we need to focus on. We went to the EURO’s and played three of the toughest teams in the tournament.

          “Thatโ€™s exciting and thatโ€™s what you want as footballers. I donโ€™t think weโ€™ve ever been in that position before.

          โ€œOf course we want to win every game, score goals and be comfortable, but personally I enjoy getting better, and the only way you can do that is by really testing yourselves against top opposition and players.โ€

          Click here for more from Hannah Cain as she looks ahead to Tuesday’s match against Czechia

        97. PREVIOUS MEETINGS

          There have been five previous meetings between Cymru and Czechia as the two teams prepare to meet for the first time since 2019 in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

          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.

          The latest match between the two was in April 2019 in Newport. The friendly international marked defender Loren Dykes (below) becoming Cymru’s second centurion behind Fishlock as she won her 100th cap.

        100. PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

          The Cymru squad continued their preparations today ahead of their opening match of the new qualifying campaign away to Czechia next week before hosting Montenegro in Llanelli on Saturday 7 March.

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has named a strong squad for the opening two games as the side return to competitive action for the first time since last summer when they made their major tournament debut at EURO 2025.

          Hayley Ladd (below) is one of three centurions in the squad having made 111 appearances for her country, while Phoebie Poole, Olivia Francis and goalkeeper Poppy Soper are the three uncapped players named for these opening two games.

        103. WILKINSON ON NUMBER ONE SHIRT

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has confirmed that Olivia Clark and Safia Middleton-Patel will continue to share goalkeeping duties heading into the new qualifying campaign.

          “Both of them have had moments with their clubs, but we don’t have solid starters,” explained Wilkinson earlier this month. “Both of them have performed for Wales, but I don’t feel either of them has really grabbed the jersey yet.”

          “I try not to make it that it’s a combative environment. They know before they come in which games they’re going to be playing. I try to tell them that you’ve just got to perform for your game.

          “If they can do that consistently, they’ll grab the number one, but I do not feel one of them has taken that number one role yet.”

          Uncapped Poppy Soper is the third goalkeeper named in the squad for the opening two qualifiers against Czechia and Montenegro.

        105. PREPARATIONS BEGIN

          The Cymru squad have arrived on camp and were straight to business as preparations for the opening 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against Czechia began.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side take on Czechia at the City Stadium in Uherskรฉ Hradiลกte on Tuesday, 3 March (KO 5:30pm GMT) before returning to Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli to play Montenegro on Saturday, 7 March (KO 4:30pm). Tickets for the match are available here.

          โ€œWe want to be a nation thatโ€™s pushing the top countries in the world,โ€ said Wilkinson at the recent squad announcement. โ€œThe players are holding themselves to account and there were games last year that we should have won.

          “Weโ€™ve learnt so much against top opposition and I think we are starting to show how good we are and how good we can be in the future.โ€

        108. SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has named her 26-player squad to take on Czechia and Montenegro in the opening two games of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

          Three uncapped players feature in the squad, including Plymouth Argyle duo Olivia Francis and Phoebie Poole, while Lois Joel and Poppy Soper return to the squad after injury.

          Laura Hughes made her Cymru debut as the side defeated Switzerland back in December but injury has ruled the midfielder out of this international window.

          Meanwhile, Jess Fishlock returns to the Cymru camp in a coaching capacity for the first match against Czechia following her international retirement last year.

          โ€œJess is coming in as a technical assistant,” explained Wilkinson. “I know that as a former player who became a coach, itโ€™s quite a leap off a cliff. When the players have days off, you do not. Your day starts a lot earlier and ends a lot later.”

          Click here for more from Rhian Wilkinson’s squad announcement press conference

        109. 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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