Dai @colemans_dream takes a look at the convincing, and important win for Cymru.

Cymru took a giant stride toward a seeded place in the Euro 2025 playoffs with a convincing 3-0 win against the pre match table toppers, Croatia. Goals from Fishlock, Ingle and a late Barton penalty took Cymru back to top spot and in pole position for a return to League A in the next edition of the Nations League.

All in all, it was another successful night for Rhian Wilkinson who is still unbeaten in her tenure as Wales manager. With that being said, some questions still need to be answered. 

Cymru frankly dominated possession from the off and their high line meant that any time the ball was lost, we were able to regain control quickly. Sophie Ingle was a key cog in that particular wheel as she constantly recycled possession with some lovely one touch passes.

Whilst Fishlock and others sometimes get the headlines, Ingle’s controlled management of games often goes unnoticed at this was another masterclass from the former captain. It was her dummied touch on to Fishlock in fact which opened up space for the opening goal. Yet another Fishlock thunderbolt. 

Having flown straight in from Seattle you may expect Jess to be jet lagged but she showed no signs of that as one touch to settle herself was followed by another to pull the trigger. As the ball crashed into the back of the net off the underside of the bar, she wheeled away in celebration holding up 4 fingers on each hand.

That one took her to goal 44 as she equaled Helen Ward’s goal scoring record for Cymru. It will surely only be a matter of time before she takes the mantle of Wales’ leading scorer. What a gaping hole she is going leave behind when she eventually hangs up her Wales boots. A Welsh legend. 

Back to the match and despite heavily dominating Wales didn’t really trouble the Croatia keeper. One criticism of recent times is our struggles to break down a low block defence and whilst I offer no criticism of the performance, there were elements of this part of our game which do still need fine tuning. One too many touches on the edge of the box sometimes leading to losing possession when sometimes a shot from distance or a dink into the box may have been more effective. We were often quick to regain and recycle the ball however, due in no small part to the efforts of Rowe and James but the threat of a counterattack against us still loomed large.  

In fact a ball over the top from Croatia, with the score still at 1-0, put …. in behind and she used her pace well to outrun Roberts although thankfully her touch let her down and Clarke could gather comfortably. A timely reminder than the game needed a second goal and that Wilkinson has work to do ahead of the playoffs. Whilst our fullbacks didn’t push on as much as they have recently the ball over the top still posed a threat against us. How to manage that threat, to avoid a repeat performance of what unfolded against Ukraine recently should be a focus for the manager. 

Much to the relief of the travelling Red Wall and those watching at home, the second goal wasn’t far away. After a heavy spell of Welsh pressure which included a striking of the post and the bar (though the latter was offside), the ball was turned home off the inside of the woodwork. A great ball dinked into the box from Rowe wasn’t dealt with by the Croatian back line before the ball broke to Ingle.

Ingle celebrated her 140th cap with just her 6th goal as she pounced on the loose ball and lifted it perfectly over the advancing keeper onto the post and into the net. A perfect time to halt any hopes of a Croatian revival and put the game to bed. 

Although Croatia did try and push on into the game further, Olivia Clarke was largely a spectator. A few crosses and corners were the peak of the opposition pressure and although one strike hit the side netting the pressure amounted to nothing. Whatever comeback concerns remained, were dispelled by a late Kayleigh Barton penalty. She’s netted from the spot in her last 3 games and celebrated a powerful finish to the keepers right with a cupping of the ears, as the home fans booed her build up to the spot kick. A perfect response. 

All in all, job done. And at this stage that is all that matters. At least a point against Kosovo in Llanelli now means Wales will be confirmed as group winners, as well as the real prize at the moment, a seeded spot in the Euro 2025 playoffs. This would crucially keep us away from the “big guns” who fail to qualify from League A. Whilst the opportunity to face bigger nations in League A is a welcome bonus here, the focus must be on getting to a tournament. 

With one eye on the longer term, Wilkinson has done what it seemed at times Grainger was either unable or unwilling to do and use the bench, especially to give minutes to younger players. This has had a huge benefit from my vantage point since she has taken over, as players have come on and made a difference.

Morgan and Davies in particular caught my eye with their pace and direct running last night. Developing a “Plan B” for this side has long been something we have talked about and it seems Wilkinson is both aware of this need and is doing something about it which is very positive. 

Fundamentally, this will all help with what is undoubtedly our ultimate goal at the moment – Euro 2025. Wales’ appearance at a major tournament is still awaited and I’m confident many would travel and support our team in Switzerland should we get there. That first tournament is our biggest hurdle however and after heartbreak in the playoffs last time, ironically against the Swiss, that final hurdle needs to be overcome. Jess Fishlock deserves it. The nation craves it. Women’s football in Wales needs it. Almost ten years on from the men breaking their hoodoo, it is time for the women’s team to follow suit. 

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