3 June 2025, Swansea .com Stadium, Swansea
UEFA Women’s Nations League – League A, Group 4
In their final game before Cymru’s History Women head off to Switzerland to take part in their first ever tournament, Euro 2025, they faced Italy on a sunny Tuesday evening in Swansea.
Embed from Getty ImagesSurprisingly, only four changes were made to the Cymru side that lost to Denmark on Friday night. Jess Fishlock, Mayzee Davies, Ella Powell and Elise Hughes make way for Hannah Cain, Alice Griffiths, Carrie Jones and Rachel Rowe. The Italians also made changes bringing in Martina Lenzini, Angelica Soffia and Christina Girelli replaced Lucia Di Gugliemol, Barbara Bonansea and Martina Piemote who started against Sweden.
Embed from Getty ImagesCymru started off brightly in the Swansea sunshine but it didn’t take long for the cruse of conceding an early goal to strike again. Nine minutes into the game a corner taken by Manuela Giugliano, swung into the near post where Olivia Clark was crowded out and unable to clear the ball. It fell to Elena Linari who was able to score from two yards out.
Embed from Getty ImagesYet again during this campaign Cymru were on the back foot from the start, something that you can’t afford to do against the best teams in the world.
Just over twenty minutes into game, somehow a free kick was given after a shoulder to shoulder challenge by Lily Woodham on the touchline. The free kick was then taken almost ten yards in field. The said free kick was floated into the middle of the box where it was met by Christina Girelli, who headed the ball down and over the out stretched arm of Olivia Clark.
Embed from Getty ImagesEven though there was only just over twenty minutes on the clock, it felt like this game was already over.
The following twenty minutes, Cymru tried to fight back but rarely got into the Italian half. The midfield of Italy easily broke down any Cymru attack and had a few chances themselves. With less than four minutes left in the half, the visitors were able to strike again.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter the ball pinballed around between three players it made its way to the left hand touchline where the ball looked like it went out of touch (I’ve missed VAR this weekend). But Christina Girelli was able to carry on and took the ball to just outside the side of the box before crossing it in. Unfortunately it took a deflection before it made it to Sofia Cantore, who had advanced into the six yard box unmarked, and was free to head the ball home to make it three nil.
Just when you thought it was the end of the first half misery, Olivia Clark makes a great save but goes off injured after a few minutes delay. The resulting corner was met by Christina Girelli, whose header flicked off the head of Carrie Jones, leaving substitute keeper Safia Middleton-Patel with no chance.
Embed from Getty Images4-0 at half time and this was not the send off we were all hoping for. Yes, Italy are 17 places above, ranked 14th to our 31st, but we were all hoping for a closer game. Cymru came back into the game in the second half but it was too little too late against a side who had 22 shots on goal, 8 of which were on target.
The one Cymru bright spot came with eight minutes to go in the match. Just five minutes after coming on the living legend that is Jess Fishlock intercepted a ball ten yards in the Italian half. She went forward and then with an audacious clip of the keeper from 30 yards out, made it 4-1. The ball flew over the top of the back peddling keeper who was only five yards off her line, it hit the underside of the bar and over the line (and was given this time). What a player! Hopefully we will see more of this next month.
Embed from Getty ImagesA disappointing first half cost Cymru the match, with the only highlight being Jess’ goal. Although the most optimistic of Y Wal Goch would say we won the second half. At the end of the day, this result didn’t matter, the important games come next month, but it would have been nice to head off to ‘The Group of Death’ with a bit more of a confidence boost. As they say ‘a bad rehearsal means a good opening night’ hopefully.
Embed from Getty ImagesPob Lwc, Rhian and the squad. You have already made history now go and make some more.
Summary by Stephen @StephenJBaker. Stadium image courtesy of Bradford Timeline