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

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        6. Cymru captain Ben Davies spoke to ITV after the match. “We’re disappointed with the result but we’re probably more disappointed that we didn’t show how good we can be,” he explained.

          “Credit to England, they were good tonight, but we knew we could be better as well. Two of the three goals were pretty sloppy from our perspective and then you end up on the backfoot.

          “We’re a small nation that’s always been punching above our weight, games like this are tough but we’ll keep standing up and keep fighting every time.”

        8. Match Summary

          This match was effectively over as a contest as England went 3-0 ahead after just 20 minutes. Cymru would improve after half-time, and Craig Bellamy will be relieved that there are no immediate injury concerns for his players ahead of Monday’s match against Belgium.

          However, the manner of the goals conceded will need to be addressed if Cymru are to make this a successful qualifying campaign.

          England enjoyed the perfect start as captain Declan Rice delivered a corner to the back post inside three minutes. Marc Guéhi did well to keep the ball in play and Morgan Rogers made no mistake as Cymru failed to clear their lines. A similar situation arose after 11 minutes, and this time Ollie Watkins finished past goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

          Bukayo Saka showed his world-class ability after 20 minutes as he made space for himself on the edge of the area and drilled a superb shot into the far corner of the net. England continued to dominate possession with Cymru shell-shocked from the situation they found themselves in.

          Watkins should then have added a fourth just before half-time, but he failed to convert a cross from Elliot Anderson from close range and injured himself in the process.

          Marcus Rashford replaced Watkins for the 2nd half, but it was Rogers who almost scored his second of the night a few minutes after the restart, but his effort rattled the crossbar. At the other end, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was called into action to deny David Brooks and substitute Chris Mepham.

          Bellamy’s side enjoyed a lot more of the ball in the final quarter of the match as both teams made several changes. Cymru certainly made things more difficult for their opponents and had chances to reduce the deficit before the final whistle. However, England maintained their three-goal advantage to claim a comfortable victory.

          Cymru cannot afford to dwell on this defeat with Belgium the visitors to the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday night for what is a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Bellamy will now need an immediate reaction and response from his squad after a difficult night at Wembley if his side are to complete this qualifying campaign on high.

        9. Full-time summary

          The damage for Cymru was done in the opening half as England roared to a three-goal lead inside 20 minutes. Craig Bellamy’s side struggled to make any impression on the game as England dominated possession for long periods, but an improved display in the 2nd half will provide some positivity ahead of Monday’s huge match against Belgium. Cymru had chances to reduce the deficit, but this was a comfortable victory for England overall and one that Bellamy and his players will want to quickly move on from.

        10. 81'

          A crucial block from Rodon to deny Gordon who was clean through on goal.

        11. 80'

          Substitution

          Myles Lewis-Skelly replaces John Stones

        12. The support of the Red Wall has not wavered all night.

        13. 77'

          Harris heads over as Cymru continue to push to try and get themselves back into this match. The visitors are having a lot more of the ball since both team made a number of changes.

        14. 76'

          Substitution

          KOUMAS Lewis replaces JOHNSON Brennan

        15. 76'

          Substitution

          HARRIS Mark replaces MOORE Kieffer Roberto Francisco

        16. 72'

          Yellow card

          Djed Spence

        17. 72'

          Pickford again called into action to make a good save from a header by substitute Mepham. Another positive piece of play from Cymru.

        18. 70'

          Substitution

          Jarrod Bowen replaces Bukayo Saka

        19. 70'

          Substitution

          Morgan Gibbs-White replaces Morgan Rogers

        20. 69'

          Substitution

          Jordan Henderson replaces Elliot Anderson

        21. 69'

          Substitution

          Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaces Declan Rice

        22. Cymru defender Jay Dasilva challenges England’s Bukayo Saka.

        23. 64'

          Substitution

          SHEEHAN Joshua Luke replaces AMPADU Ethan

        24. 64'

          Substitution

          JAMES Jordan Anthony replaces WILSON Harry

        25. 64'

          Substitution

          MEPHAM Christopher replaces DAVIES Benjamin Thomas

        26. 64'

          Substitution

          KPAKIO Ronan replaces WILLIAMS Neco

        27. 63'

          Cymru are definitely getting into the faces of the England players a lot more since the restart. A string of changes coming up for the visitors as Bellamy looks to Monday’s huge match against Belgium.

        28. 60'

          Dasilva blocks an effort from Saka to give England another corner. They have been dangerous from these set pieces.

        29. 56'

          Cymru enjoying a brief period of possession which culminates with Pickford having to make a save from Brooks. A positive piece of play from the visitors.

        30. Harry Wilson controls the ball.

        31. 52'

          Rogers so close to getting his second of the night but his effort rattles Darlow’s crossbar.

        32. 51'

          Cymru simply cannot afford to give England an inch. One mistake and Gordon almost makes them pay as the home side force another corner.

        33. 46'

          Cymru get the 2nd half underway with the same starting XI. Just the one change from England as Rashford replaces the injured Watkins. It will be interesting to see when Bellamy calls on his bench.

        34. Half-time summary

          A disastrous start for Cymru as England opened up a three-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes through Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka. Thomas Tuchel’s side have been dominant throughout the half and Watkins should have made it four before half-time, but he failed to hit the target from point-blank range. Plenty for Craig Bellamy to consider and address ahead of the next 45 minutes, especially with Belgium to come on Monday night.

        35. 45'

          A few shoots of positivity from Cymru as they put some pressure on the England defence, but the score remains the same.

        36. 40'

          England fail to make it four as Watkins misses from very close range after a cross from Anderson to the far post. Watkins appears to have injured himself in the process as he collided with the post.

        37. 35'

          Yellow card

          Marc Guéhi

        38. Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy watches on as England take a three goal lead at Wembley.

        39. 30'

          The second time in four games that Cymru have been three goals behind at this stage. Bellamy’s side responded in the 2nd half against Belgium in Brussels and he will need his players to produce again tonight.

        40. 28'

          Rice places his free-kick over the bar. One of England’s first efforts not to hit the target.

        41. 27'

          Yellow card

          WILLIAMS Neco

        42. 20'

          Goal

          Bukayo Saka

        43. 20'

          Saka makes it three for England with a superb finish. Simply unstoppable once he had that time and space in the area.

        44. Ethan Ampadu plays the ball forward under pressure.

        45. 16'

          A comfortable save for Darlow as Rogers looks for his second of the night. England are showing no signs of easing up just yet.

        46. 11'

          Watkins scores England’s second goal as Cymru struggle to clear the ball. The continued pressure from the home side is really paying off for Thomas Tuchel’s team.

        47. 11'

          Goal

          Ollie Watkins

        48. The Cymru starting line-up.

        49. 7'

          England dominating possession in the early exchanges and they already have a goal to show for their efforts so far.

        50. 3'

          England take the lead from the resulting corner. Rogers with the finish after some good work from Guéhi to keep the ball in play. The worst possible start for Cymru.

        51. 3'

          Goal

          Morgan Rogers

        52. 2'

          An early scare for Cymru as Gordan plays a ball across the area. A first corner for England.

        53. 1'

          The national anthems have been sung and England kick us off at Wembley Stadium.

        54. '

          Substitution

          Marcus Rashford replaces Ollie Watkins

        56. Ben Davies will captain Cymru tonight on his 99th senior international appearance.

        60. Former Cymru head coach Rob Page is at Wembley Stadium tonight as a pundit for ITV. Page was in charge of Cymru at EURO 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is now the head coach of Liverpool U21’s.

        62. The Cymru squad have arrived at Wembley Stadium and look in good spirits as they check out the surroundings.

        64. The Red Wall

          Around 7,000 Cymru fans will be in attendance at Wembley Stadium this evening and a great atmosphere is expected for an international fixture that dates back to 1879.

          The match is a sell-out as both teams prepare to return to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying next week when Cymru take on Belgium in Cardiff and England head to Riga to face Latvia.

          Wales fans begin to arrive at Wembley ahead of the international friendly fixture between England & Wales at Wembley Stadium, London, England

        65. Team news

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy has made seven changes to his starting line-up from the team that were defeated 1-0 against Canada in Swansea last month.

          Bellamy has named a strong side to take on England with Karl Darlow, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Liam Cullen, Brennan Johnson, Kieffer Moore and Jay Dasilva all returning to the first XI.

          Ben Davies captains the side on what will be his 99th senior international appearance, while Neco Williams earns his 50th senior cap. Brothers Rubin and Joel Colwill are both named on the bench.

          England head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed yesterday that striker Harry Kane would not feature this evening but he is named as a substitute. Meanwhile, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon are all included in the England starting line-up.

        67. A dedicated ‘Alzheimer’s Society International’ fixture

          Cymru and England will take part in a powerful and emotional moment of unity at Wembley Stadium this evening as players will walk out side by side with fans living with dementia.

          In a landmark initiative delivered by Alzheimer’s Society and The Football Association (FA), supported by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), 22 fans living with dementia, nominated from across Wales and England, will walk out alongside the players in place of the traditional child mascots.

          Click here for more on this initiative including a video with former Cymru star Joe Ledley

        69. Welcome to Wembley

          Wembley Stadium is ready to host Cymru and England this evening in the first match between the two nations since the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

          Team news will follow very soon and check back here throughout the night for all the pre-match build-up, live match updates and all the post-match reaction.

        72. Darlow celebrates birthday ahead of Wembley debut

          Cymru goalkeeper Karl Darlow turned 34 on Wednesday and celebrated his birthday with the rest of the squad as he prepares for a long-awaited first appearance at Wembley Stadium this evening.

          “I’ve been slightly unfortunate and it would be nice to finally tick it off the list.” explained Darlow earlier this week. “It’s one of the biggest and the best stadiums in the world. As a footballer you want to be playing in the biggest stadiums and testing yourself on that level.”

        76. Remembering Wembley 1977

          The latest match artwork published ahead of tonight’s match against England recognises Cymru’s one and only victory over England at Wembley Stadium back in 1977.

          Leighton James scored the only game from the penalty spot just before half-time, but one of the main talking points surrounding the match took place before kick-off when the Welsh national anthem ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ was not played. However, the players decided to take matters into their own hands.

          Terry Yorath was Cymru captain that night and explained more in an interview with the Western Mail in 2016. “There had been a bit of an issue with the two sets of fans at the previous match at Wembley,” said Yorath. “As such, the English FA decided they wouldn’t adhere to our request and play the Welsh anthem. We were far from happy about that.

          “So we had a little bit of a meeting and decided if the band weren’t going to play it, then we would stand there and sing it ourselves. Officials were coming up to say the match has to start, but we weren’t moving. Nor did we feel under any pressure to move.

          “They stood in front of us, looking on as if we were a bit daft. But we weren’t daft. This was an important point of principle which we felt very strongly about. We stood there and sang the anthem ourselves. We felt that if they weren’t to play our anthem, then they shouldn’t have played the other one either.

          “To play one, and not the other, was wrong in our eyes. Unfortunately, the Welsh FA weren’t in a position to do anything about it because England were the hosts. It was their game. But we could do something ourselves as players… and we did.”

        80. Bellamy looking for the best version of Cymru at Wembley

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy also spoke to the assembled media at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday evening and explained how his side will approach the challenge of taking on England.

          “It’s difficult circumstances at an incredible place like Wembley, but to us it is excitement,” said Bellamy. “We’re not here as tourists, to enjoy the occasion. We’re here to be the best version of ourselves, and that allows you to be excited and also to have fun as well. I honestly believe if you play this England team and you defend deep you’ll die a slow death, and I’m not into that.”

          Bellamy was also asked about his opposite number, England head coach Thomas Tuchel, and the revealed the preparation that has gone into this International Challenge Match.

          “Thomas is a top manager,” explained Bellamy. “It’s been really nice looking at a lot of England’s games under him, but also I watched a lot of games at Dortmund as well. I went back because I’ve seen a bit of similarity to what I see with the team right now and what he’s trying to transfer with England.

          “Let’s be the best versions, but most importantly enjoy it and for myself to enjoy it. We see England’s strengths, we see their weaknesses, and for us, it’s history we’re always aware of and always respectful of, but to us, it’s game by game.

          “We will be able to take a lot from this game to prepare for the Belgium game. It’s beneficial to what we’re going to be up against on Monday.”

        82. Davies excited for England challenge

          Cymru captain Ben Davies spoke to the media at Wembley Stadium earlier this evening ahead as his side prepare to take on England tomorrow night.

          “England are a really good team,” said Davies. “They’re a strong team and they make it difficult for you. It’s a very good test for us and as a group we’re excited for the challenge. We know where we want to go and to get there we have to put in good performances against teams like England.”

          The last match between the two nations took place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as England claimed a 3-0 victory in the final group match to confirm Cymru’s early exit from the tournament.

          “We didn’t really show what we were about,” explained Davies when asked about that last match. “I’m hoping tomorrow we give a better account of ourselves. We’ve prepared really well this week and we’re looking forward to it. There’s a confidence in the group that we will put on a better show this time than we did last time.

          “Every game against England is going to be competitive and there’s a big sense of pride on the line. We’ve prepared well and we want to come here and win, even though it’s a friendly. It’s about testing ourselves against this level of opposition and we really want to come out here, give it our best shot and be as prepared as possible for the qualifiers coming up.”

        87. Meet the Ref

          Urs Schnyder will take charge of the International Challenge Match between England and Cymru at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night (7:45pm).

          The 39-year-old from Switzerland has been a FIFA official since 2019 and recently took charge of the UEFA Champions League match between Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle United.

          Marco Zürcher and Benjamin Zürcher are the assistant referees while Sven Wolfensberger is the fourth official. Lukas Fähndrich is the VAR and will be assisted by Michèle Schmölzer. All of the officials are from Switzerland.

        89. When Merthyr Tydfil defeated England

          Cymru have claimed 14 victories over England since the very first meeting between the two nations back in 1879, with one memorable result occurring just before the outbreak of the Second World War as Cymru claimed a 4-2 victory inspired by players from Merthyr Tydfil.

          In what would prove to be the final British Home Championship until 1946, Cymru and England took to the field at Ninian Park in October 1938 with a reported 55,000 fans in attendance.

          Cymru started brightly and took an early lead when Dai Astley took advantage of a clever pass from Leslie Jones. England equalised controversially after 30 minutes when Tommy Lawton converted a penalty awarded for handball, but while Cymru responded through Idris Hopkins as he headed in from free-kick, the great Stanley Matthews levelled to make it 2-2 at half-time.

          England came out a stronger outfit for the 2nd half, but Cymru regained the lead on the hour when Bryn Jones finished calmly after being set up by Astley. The fourth goal followed as Astley scored his second as he beat his marker and slotted the ball past England goalkeeper Vic Woodley. The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes, with fans rushing the pitch to celebrate the 4–2 win.

          Remarkably, the Cymru goalscorers that day and captain Dai Richards all hailed from Merthyr Tydfil. However, Cymru would suffer a 3-2 defeat to Scotland in the next match before competing the competition with a 3-1 win over Ireland in Wrexham.

        92. Bellamy on Tuchel ahead of Wembley showdown

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy has praised opposite number Thomas Tuchel as his side prepare to take on England at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night (7:45pm).

          “Tuchel’s an incredible manager, his record is proven,” explained Bellamy. “His tactical detail is top level and I wanted to be up against that – see how you’re going to adapt because he will. I will get to learn from that. I’d love to get to that level.

          “England have a ridiculous squad. They have a transfer market value of £1.4bn, ours is £170m. If you were a boxing promoter, you wouldn’t put us together. It wouldn’t be allowed.

          “We don’t go off values, but the simple fact is they don’t just have one team. One right-back went out injured the other day and there’s only 24 more to go! They’ve got 60-odd players. I’d love us to be stacked like them.”

        95. Preparations continue

          The Cymru squad were back on the training ground this morning ahead of two huge tests against England at Wembley Stadium on Thursday evening before taking on Belgium in Cardiff next Monday.

          Defender Ben Davies (below) could become the latest Cymru centurion during this international window having made 98 appearances for his country since his debut against Scotland in October 2012.

          Meanwhile, Neco Williams is set to earn his 50th senior cap despite having only turned 24 earlier this year. Williams went straight into the senior squad as a teenager from the U19’s in September 2020 and has kept his place since then as one of Cymru’s most consistent performers.

        97. Bellamy on a new Cymru era

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy spoke to the media last week about his decision to take the role just over a year ago and having to lead his country into a new era without Gareth Bale.

          “I was told before [being appointed] that it was all falling off a cliff,” said Bellamy. “The king [Gareth Bale] has gone. But I only saw it as like, ‘no, there’s a lot of good players here’. Wait until the next couple of years, this machine’s going to get stronger.

          “I want us in there on a consistent basis because that’s where we play the best teams. We need to be in tournaments because we play the best teams. If we want to be a top football nation, which we’ve flirted with at times, I want us to be able to try and do it all the time.”

          Click here for the full article on the BBC Sport website.

        98. Squad update

          Cymru will be without Aaron Ramsey and Dan James for the international double-header against England and Belgium through injury.

          Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill have been added to the squad in their absence as head coach Craig Bellamy prepares to take on England at Wembley Stadium on Thursday before his side return to competitive action against Belgium in Cardiff on Monday evening.

        103. Previous meetings

          There have been 104 previous fixtures between Cymru and England dating back to January 1879 when England claimed a 2-1 win at the Kennington Oval in London.

          England have won 69 of the previous meetings between the two nations compared to Cymru’s 14 victories and there have been 21 draws. The most recent meeting took place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar when England won 3-0 (below).

          The last Cymru victory over England was in May 1984 when Mark Hughes scored the only goal of the game at the Racecourse in Wrexham, while Cymru’s one and only win at Wembley Stadium was in May 1977 when the Leighton James scored from the penalty spot in another 1-0 victory.

          Earlier this year we took a closer look at five defining fixtures between Cymru and England played over the bridge, including that solitary Wembley win. Click here for some of the most memorable moments from this famous international fixture.

        105. Squad announcement

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy has announced his squad for the October double-header against England and Belgium.

          Aaron Ramsey returns to the squad for the first time since his move to Mexican side Pumas UNAM. The 34-year-old has not played for Cymru since the UEFA Nations League fixtures against Türkiye and Montenegro last September. Ramsey is the leading goalscorer in the squad for Cymru with 21 goals from his 86 appearances

          Jay Dasilva, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Nathan Broadhead return to the squad after missing the last international window. Meanwhile, Cardiff City’s Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio and Joel Colwill all made their Cymru senior debuts in September and keep their place in the squad.

          “He’s fit and I haven’t had that luxury with him,” said Bellamy about Ramsey this week. “When I look back at that first game, he was immense. He has the brain and that’s never going to go.

          “We have legs in and around him that could really benefit from his type of profile. What I’ve seen is a player when fit that still has a lot to offer in the way we play. He’s a player I massively admire.

          “As we get older, we all have to manage ourselves, and probably you gain more experience in being able to manage yourself. But at the same time, his club have really worked with him on that as well, which is brilliant for us.”

        106. There is no live report available for this match

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