Cymru come from behind to remain undefeated

Cymru 1-1 Ukraine

• Ukraine take a shock lead in the match
• Kayleigh Barton comes off the bench to score
• Rhian Wilkinson’s team remain unbeaten in qualifying

Cymru will feel frustrated taking just the solitary point from this match as they created enough chances to win the European Qualifier for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 against Ukraine. 

It was from Cymru’s own doing that they fell behind in this fixture as a lack of concentration early in the match allowed Ukraine to capitalise on a loose ball for Veronica Andrukhiv to score into an empty net.

Andrukhiv was given a gift when Olivia Clark came wide to the edge of her box to supply a pass to Rhiannon Roberts. As Roberts hit a loose pass towards Sophie Ingle in-field, Andrukhiv capitalised to put the ball into unattended goal. 

Cymru didn’t let their heads drop but their performance was far from the polished showings against Croatia and Kosovo in their opening two matches. Ukraine, however, were always viewed as the tougher opponents in this qualifying group. 

Rhian Wilkinson’s team did manage to break down the Ukraine defence to level the game with Kayleigh Barton coming off the bench to score from the penalty spot. 

Cymru pressure resulted in a shot from Ceri Holland being blocked by the hand of Olha Basanska, which saw a penalty awarded. Barton stepped and expertly placed it into the back of the net. 

Cymru pushed hard for a winner with Barton, Holland and Fishlock all going close but Ukraine held on for the draw. 

The teams meet again on Tuesday, 4 June at the Rodan-Groklin Stadium in Grodzisk Wielkopolski, Poland.

Follow live updates from the game in the Match Centre and across the Cymru social media channels.