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

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        4. Full-time report: Ffion Morgan scored what could prove to be a crucial goal for Cymru in the final moments of the match, but it’s Slovakia who head to Cardiff with the advantage following their 2-1 win in Poprad.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side made a positive start with Charlie Estcourt and Carrie Jones asking a few early questions of the Slovakian defence with goalkeeper Mária Korenčiová called into action.

          Missing a wealth of midfield experience with Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle out of the starting line-up, the home side quickly reversed the trend and began testing Cymru with Martina Šurnovská and Mária Mikolajová continually causing problems at the back.

          Cymru goalkeeper Olivia Clark was in superb form and had to be at her best as Slovakia finished the half as the stronger of the two teams. However, there was still time for Ceri Holland to put a fine ball behind the home defence but it narrowly passed Kayleigh Barton by at the far post.

          Slovakia took the lead immediately after the re-start. A defensive mix-up between Josie Green and Clark gifted the home side with a corner, and despite clearing the initial danger, Šurnovská fired a shot from the edge of the area to give her side the lead.

          On 58 minutes the lead was doubled. A foul from captain Angharad James was punished with a yellow card and a goal as Mikolajová took advantage of the situation with an incredible strike to give Clark absolutely no chance.

          Fishlock was introduced on 64 minutes and made a positive contribution with her creativity on the ball, but it was defender Gemma Evans who made a key contribution as her superb tackle on Šurnovská denied the forward a one-on-one opportunity with Clark.

          Cymru continued to push to reduce the deficit with Rowe and Barton going close. However, a fine finish from substitute Morgan in the final minute of the match has made a huge difference to this tie, and the momentum is very much back with Wilkinson’s side ahead of the 2nd leg.

        5. Jess Fishlock has made a big impression on the game

        6. 90' + 3'

          Substitution

          SOFIA ŠKERDOVÁ replaces KLAUDIA FABOVÁ

        7. 89'

          A massive goal as substitutes Fishlock and Morgan combine. A fine finish from Morgan and that could be absolutely crucial for Cymru.

        8. 88'

          Goal

          MORGAN Ffion Alys

        9. Rachel Rowe challenges for the ball

        10. 80'

          Substitution

          KATARÍNA VREDÍKOVÁ replaces KRISTÍNA KOŠÍKOVÁ

        11. 79'

          Substitution

          VICTORIA KALÁBEROVÁ replaces MÁRIA MIKOLAJOVÁ

        12. 79'

          Substitution

          KRISTÍNA PANÁKOVÁ replaces MARTINA ŠURNOVSKÁ

        13. 78'

          Yellow card

          MARTINA ŠURNOVSKÁ

        14. The Red Wall in Poprad

        15. Alice Griffiths plays the ball

        16. 73'

          Another big chance for Cymru from a corner but Barton’s header is saved. The response from Wilkinson’s side to going two goals behind has been impressive but they desperately need a goal now.

        17. 71'

          A huge moment for Cymru as Rowe’s effort sails narrowly wide. Another positive move from the visitors as they look to reduce the deficit, but in their attacking haste they cannot afford to concede a third goal.

        18. 67'

          A superb tackle from Evans to deny Šurnovská a one-on-one opportunity. That could prove to be a huge moment in the wider context of this play-off tie.

        19. 64'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Ffion Alys replaces HOLLAND Ceri

        20. 64'

          Substitution

          FISHLOCK Jessica Anne replaces JONES Carrie

        21. 64'

          A roll of the dice from Wilkinson as Fishlock and Morgan are introduced. A huge 25 minutes or so left for Cymru to get themselves back into this game ahead of the return match on Tuesday night.

        22. Rhian Wilkinson watches on

        23. 58'

          Slovakia double their lead. A foul from captain James outside was punished with a yellow card and a goal as Mikolajová takes advantage with a superb strike.

        24. 57'

          Goal

          MÁRIA MIKOLAJOVÁ

        25. 56'

          Yellow card

          JAMES Angharad

        26. 56'

          A good response from Cymru after conceding that goal with a lot more attacking urgency in their play. A big decision for Wilkinson now will centre around bringing on Fishlock, and if she is play a part in this game, when?

        27. Kayleigh Barton sums up Cymru’s frustration

        28. 49'

          Goal for Slovakia. A defensive mix-up leads to a corner and Šurnovská strikes from the edge of the area to put the home side ahead. A huge blow for Cymru early in this 2nd half.

        29. 48'

          Goal

          MARTINA ŠURNOVSKÁ

        30. Josie Green plays the ball out of defence

        31. 46'

          A half-time change for Cymru as Alice Griffiths replaces Charlie Estcourt as Wilkinson looks to address the chances that Slovakia were able to create in that opening half.

        32. Half-time verdict: Despite a strong start it proved to be a difficult half for Cymru as Slovakia created the better chances with Olivia Clark responsible for keeping it level at half-time. An important 15 minutes for Rhian Wilkinson now to reorganise and claim back control of the game.

        33. Captain Angharad James plays the ball

        34. 41'

          A positive move from Cymru but Holland’s cross just passes Barton by. No goals chances for both teams in what has been an open game.

        35. 40'

          Some desperate defending and another fine save from Clark. Cymru will be glad to hear the half-time whistle to regroup and organise as Slovakia are looking the most likely to score.

        36. 38'

          A great save from Clark to deny Šurnovská who was through goal. The best chance of the match falls to Slovakia.

        37. 35'

          Cymru testing Slovakia from both sides as crosses from Jones and Rowe are collected by goalkeeper Korenčiová as the score remains level.

        38. Hayley Ladd plays the ball forward

        39. 29'

          A big chance for Slovakia but Mikolajová drags her effort wide after Green failed to deal with a cross. This is a key period in the match and Cymru need to retain possession for longer.

        40. 27'

          An important interception from Green as Slovakia continue to cause problems for the Cymru defence. The home side are playing with real attacking determination.

        41. 23'

          The first booking of the afternoon is shown to Slovakia as Mikolajová is penalised for a foul on Barton.

        42. Carrie Jones in possession

        43. 20'

          Despite a strong start from Cymru, Slovakia have come into the game and are asking questions of the visiting defence. Little between the two teams as we approach the midway point of the opening half.

        44. ‘S’ for Sophie Ingle as she recovers from injury

        45. 11'

          Holland was a fitness doubt for Cymru heading into this play-off double-header but starts and has tried her luck from distance already.

        46. 9'

          A warning for the Cymru defence as Mikolajová gets the better of Estcourt and Green in the area, but it comes to nothing.

        47. 4'

          A positive start from Cymru as Estcourt forces goalkeeper Korenčiová into making an early save. The visitors on top in these initial stages of the match and playing with real intention.

        48. 1'

          We’re off! Slovakia kick-off what is a huge match for both nations. Come on Cymru!

        49. '

          Substitution

          GRIFFITHS Alice replaces ESTCOURT Charlotte

        51. Wilkinson excited

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to BBC Sport Wales ahead of kick-off.

          “I’m excited, it’s been a long three months,” she said. “We’re looking forward to it, but we’re not looking further ahead than what’s ahead of us.”

          Wilkinson also spoke about Cymru record appearance holder and goalscorer Jess Fishlock who is named on the bench as she continues her recovery from injury.

          “We have an incredible team and some real depth coming through and we want Jess 100% when we get back in Cardiff, and I’m sure she will be.”

        53. Last time

          Cymru return to action this afternoon for the first time since July when goals from Mary McAteer and Jess Fishlock proved enough to claim a 2-0 win over Kosovo in Llanelli.

          The victory rounded-off a successful group stage for Rhian Wilkinson’s side as they remained undefeated and claimed top spot.

        54. The Red Wall will be right behind Cymru in the Slovakian sunshine this afternoon.

        57. Just over one hour to kick-off as Cymru take on Slovakia at The National Training Centre in Poprad with the return match taking place at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 29 October.

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson is not taken their opponents lightly and has spoken this week about their recent performances and what makes them a tough side to beat.

        58. Team news

          Rhian Wilkinson has named her starting line-up as Angharad James captains Cymru for this huge play-off match against Slovakia.

        60. Paper round

          Cymru make back page headlines this morning as they prepare to take on Slovakia.

        61. Fitness update

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson and captain Angharad James spoke to the media in Poprad yesterday.

          “This is a performance camp so our best team will be on the field,” explained Wilkinson after confirming that both Ceri Holland and Jess Fishlock are fit to play.

          “Jess is ready to go and if she wasn’t she wouldn’t be here and that’s from her perspective as well, because she puts the team first on all things.

          “I have been impressed with Slovakia. They had some great passages of play against Scotland [in qualifying] and we disrespect them at our peril.

          “Slovakia have some real threats and they will hurt us if we don’t deliver our level of performance.”

          Watch the full press conference on RedWall+ here

        63. James ready for Slovakia challenge

          The Cymru squad completed their preparations at The National Training Centre in Poprad yesterday ahead of their huge UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 play-off against Slovakia this afternoon (4.30pm).

          “We’ve learned a lot over the last few years and we are here in this moment and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” said new captain Angharad James (below) to BBC Sport Wales.

          “It’s going to be a tough game, but we are ready and prepared and we will go out and give it everything we’ve got.”

        66. The Cymru squad have arrived in Slovakia ahead of their opening UEFA Women’s EURO play-off on Friday.

          The match takes place at The National Training Centre in Poprad before the return leg at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night.

        71. Play-off pain in the past for Clark

          Cymru goalkeeper Olivia Clark believes the squad are ready to move from the disappointment of the past as she discusses the upcoming play-off against Slovakia in the BBC Sport Wales column.

          “It’s obviously a big camp for us, but we are definitely not looking to get too far ahead of ourselves,” explained Clark. “One game at a time and we will play the game and not the occasion.

          “I think we have learned from previous campaigns and previous occasions and disappointments, and we are not dwelling on that.

          “It feels like a lot of players have arrived feeling good about where they are playing their football and how many minutes they are getting, a lot of players have moved to get more football, myself included.

          “Slovakia gave Scotland a tough game and we know it will be a tough game for us, they will see us as beatable and like any game at this level it is going to be intense, because it is a play-off. We are confident as a group going into this game but we are very focused.”

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

        73. Jones talks Slovakia challenge

          Carrie Jones spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the upcoming UEFA Women’s EURO play-off against Slovakia and her preferred position in the team.

          “Obviously we’re all excited and there’s a lot of noise around the games,” said the 21-year old who now plays for Swedish club IFK Norrköping. “We as a team, all we’re focusing on is the first game in Slovakia.

          “We’re keeping our feet on the ground as we know we have a big challenge coming up because we know that they will be a tough team to come up against.

          “We’ve done a lot of analysis, we have to stay present, take each day as it comes, train hard and then when the day comes to play the game we know what our role is, and we know what we have to do to execute the game-plan.”

          Jones, who made her senior Cymru debut at the age of 15 and has now made 28 appearances for her country, was also asked about her best position in the team. “I do believe that playing centrally is predominantly where my strengths come out,” she explained.

          “If I’m asked to play anywhere I will try and get my strengths out there, but I do think that is where I can express myself more and that’s where I play my best football.”

        76. Last meeting

          It has been almost a decade since Cymru and Slovakia last played each other in a women’s international as the two nations came together for a friendly double-header at Bangor in April 2015.

          A solitary goal from Cymru legend Helen Ward (below) was enough for Jayne Ludlow’s side to claim a 1-0 victory against their opponents in the opening match. However, Slovakia levelled matters in the return match two days later as they earned a 2-1 win,

          The opening goal from Nia Jones would prove to be nothing but a consolation for Cymru as Dominika Skorvankova equalised for Slovakia just before half-time and Veronika Klechova then completed the scoring with a header.

        79. For Us. For Them. For Her.

          The FAW has collaborated with spoken word poet Duke Al to highlight the importance of male allyship ahead of Cymru’s first UEFA Women’s EURO play-off against Slovakia.

          Martha Appleby’s poem struck a chord with many in 2021, offering a poignant reflection on the challenges faced by women in football and the sense of being overlooked when the FAW and Literature Wales Poetry competition winner said: “I am a girl, I am a footballer, I am invisible”.

          Responding to Appleby’s poem three years later, Duke Al brings a fresh perspective through his poetry not only by celebrating Cymru’s journey, but also underscoring the importance of male allies in supporting women’s football.

          Watch ‘For Us. For Them. For Her’ below.

        81. Wilkinson on Slovakia challenge

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to the media when announcing her squad last week and explained why she will not be taking anything for granted against Slovakia.

          “I’ve seen all their games,” said Wilkinson. “They’re a team that does what they do very well, and if you don’t respect the talents they have on that field, if you look past them for a second, they’ll hurt you. I think they’ve got some underrated talents and I don’t think their results reflect how well they can play at times.

          “We have to just look at it as the next game in front of us and that’s what I’m doing and that’s what all my staff will do, knowing that if we take care of what we can control, then I’m pretty confident that the results will follow. This team is good enough to do it.”

          Watch Rhan Wilkinson’s press conference in full on RedWall+ here

        84. Preparations

          The Cymru squad began their preparations on Monday for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 play-off against Slovakia as Rhian Wilkinson’s side look to move a step closer to the finals in Switzerland.

          New permanent captain Angharad James (below) was joined by all-time record appearance holder and record goalscorer Jess Fishlock as she continues her return to full-fitness. Cymru head to Slovakia for the 1st leg on Friday before the return match at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.

          “We know what it will do for football and Wales,” said Wilkinson. “You see the growth of the game and we all know that qualifying for a major tournament is exactly what we need to really light that spark.”

        85. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

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          Substitutes

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                Table

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                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

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