Fishlock stunner not enough against impressive Italy 

Cymru 1-4 Italy

• Italy take advantage of Cymru’s defensive frailties 
• Olivia Clark is injured during the first half 
• Jess Fishlock scores a stunner 
• Cymru’s next match will be Netherlands on 5 July at EURO 2025

This was not the send-off Cymru wanted in their final game before the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 finals in Switzerland next month. After a frantic start to the match that saw the action go end-to-end, it was Italy who took the initiative to take advantage of Cymru’s defensive frailties before Jess Fishlock produced a stunning consolation goal. 

Elena Linari opened the scoring when she was on the end of a corner kick at the far post. Having been allowed both time and space, she struck the ball into the top left-hand corner.

Italy’s second goal came from a free kick out wide on their right-wing. Manuela Giugliano placed the ball straight onto the head of Cristiana Girelli who put the ball past Olivia Clark unchallenged.

For Italy’s third goal, Sofia Cantore was left completely unmarked and in space inside the box where she received a cross from Angelica Soffia. She was left with an easy goal to score.

The fourth goal was scored in first half added time after Clark had initially saved an effort turning it behind for a corner. The Cymru goalkeeper was forced off through injury and replaced by Safia Middleton-Patel. Her first action was to face down that corner. However, Giugliano’s corner was put into the back of the net by Girelli.

Cymru didn’t really produce many clear-cut chances in this game but Jess Fishlock came off the bench to score an unbelievable strike that saw the ball go in off the underside of the crossbar towards the end of the match to make it 4-1. 

Cymru’s second half performance was better than their first, however, League A of the UEFA Nations League has been a steep learning curve for Rhian Wilkinson’s team at the top level of European football. Whilst they’ve failed to win a match, they have produced some battling performances and drew twice against Sweden.

However, in every defeat there are lessons to be learned and Cymru manager Rhian Wilkinson and her squad will take all they can from this Nations League experience as they look ahead to the summer.