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Saturday, June 13, 2026

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Wales bounce back to bounce Czechs

Wales 3 (Woodham 9, Evans 49. Griffiths 72) Czech Republic 1 (Khyrova 6)

Wales produced a good display to come from behind and defeat the Czech Republic 3-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium, finishing top of Group B1 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in the process.

Knowing that only a victory would be enough to leapfrog the Czech Republic and secure a more favourable play-off path, Rhian Wilkinson’s side responded brilliantly after falling behind early on to claim a deserved and memorable win.

The visitors made the perfect start when Michaela Khýrová raced onto a ball over the top and calmly slotted beyond the oncoming Safia Middleton-Patel after just six minutes of play.

However, Wales responded almost immediately and after a spell of sustained pressure around the Czech Republic penalty area, Sophie Ingle found Lily Woodham in space, and the full back swept home the equaliser on the occasion of her 50th senior international appearance.

Buoyed by the goal, Wales grew into the contest and created the better openings before the break. Carrie Jones and Hannah Cain both went close, while Mared Griffiths was denied by goalkeeper Olivie Lukášová after being played through by Ingle. The Czech Republic remained dangerous on the counter and struck the post through Katerina Kotrcova, but the teams went into half time level at 1-1.

Wales emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and took the lead within four minutes of the restart. Ceri Holland delivered a dangerous free kick into the penalty area and Gemma Evans rose highest to glance a header into the far corner, sending the Cardiff City Stadium into raptures.

The hosts continued to dominate possession and territory as the Czech Republic struggled to gain a foothold in the game. Their superiority was rewarded with a third goal on 73 minutes when Holland surged into the penalty area before squaring for Griffiths, who applied a simple finish from close range.

Wales remained in control during the closing stages, although the Czech Republic came close to reducing the deficit when Sabina Strizova struck the underside of the bar deep into stoppage time.

The final whistle confirmed a deserved 3-1 victory for Wales, who top Group B1 and head into the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-offs full of confidence and momentum.

Wales: Safia Middleton-Patel, Lily Woodham (sub Ffion Morgan 77mins), Gemma Evans, Sophie Ingle (sub Mia Ross 90mins), Rhiannon Roberts, Mayzee Davies, Ceri Holland, Angharad James, Mared Griffiths (sub Elise Hughes 77mins), Hannah Cain (sub Laura Hughes 65mins), Carrie Jones (sub Rachel Rowe 77mins). Subs not used: Olivia Clark, Poppy Soper, Phoebie Poole, Charlie Estcourt, Lois Joel, Esther Morgan, Ella Powell.  

Czech Republic: Olivie Lukasova, Lucie Bendova (sub Barbora Polcarova 45mins), Eliska Sonntagova, Aneta Polášková (sub Sabina Strizova 64mins), Eva Bartonová, Antonie Stárová, Jana Zufánková (sub Klára Cvrcková 77mins), Klára Cahynová, Michaela Khýrová, Katerina Kotrcová (sub Nela Krejcirova 77mins), Franny Cerná. Subs not used: Barbora Votíková, Vanesa Jílková, Aneta Pochmanová, Radka Hlouchová, Anna Šubrtová, Lucie Kroupová, Aneta Dedinová.