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Tuesday, April 21, 2026

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Wales give Albania a Cain-ing

Wales 4 (Cain 15,55, Hughes 35, Roberts 48)

Albania 0   

att: 4,485; at Wrexham F.C.

Hannah Cain struck twice as Wales produced another impressive performance to defeat Albania 4-0 in their FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier in Wrexham.

The forward opened the scoring early on, with a confident finish from a Mared Griffiths cross. Elise Hughes added a close range second, following a goalkeeping error by Raimonda Spahiu when she fumbled a harmless looking cross by Cain, shortly before the interval to give the hosts a commanding lead at half time.

Albania offered little threat throughout the contest, and any hopes of a recovery were effectively ended early in the second half when Rhiannon Roberts rose to head home Wales’ third goal. After her initial corner had been cleared, the ball was returned out to the left to Griffiths whose far post cross was met by a firm downward header from Roberts.

Cain then sealed the victory with her second of the evening – taking her tally to six goals in her last four international appearances – as Wales cruised to a comprehensive win. Hughes’ pass released Lily Woodham down the left and her low ball into the area was finished off by Cain from six yards out.

There was a memorable moment late on when, with eight minutes remaining, Phoebie Poole came on as a substitute to make her senior debut, the young Plymouth Argyle striker coming on to replace Cain.

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The result represents a second win in three games for Wales, who now sit on seven points at the halfway stage of the group phase as they continue their bid to reach a first ever Women’s World Cup.

Rhian Wilkinson’s side have, however, been displaced from top spot in Group B1 following the Czech Republic’s 5-0 victory over Montenegro. The Czechs now lead the group on away goals, and are widely expected to provide Wales’ toughest challenge as the two sides battle to finish first – a position that would offer a more favourable route through the play-offs later this year for a place at the 2027 tournament in Brazil.

With teams level on points separated initially by their head-to-head records, the destination of top spot could ultimately be decided when Wales welcome the Czech Republic for their final group fixture in June.

Wales: Safia Middleton-Patel, Rhiannon Roberts, Lily Woodham (sub Esther Morgan 75mins), Sophie Ingle (sub Hayley Ladd 75mins), Gemma Evans, Carrie Jones, Ffion Morgan (sub Charlie Estcourt 61mins), Angharad James, Elise Hughes (sub Rachel Rowe 61mins), Mared Griffiths, Hannah Cain (sub Phoebie Poole 82mins). Subs not used: Poppy Soper, Olivia Francis, Lucy Farrell-Shrouder, Ella Powell, Annie Wilding, Tianna Teisar, Mia Ross.  

Albania: Raimonda Spahiu, Arbiona Bajraktari, Leonora Dedgjonaj (sub Valentina Troka 80mins), Armera Tukaj, Arbenita Curraj, Klea Hamonikaj, Ilarja Zarka, Esmeralda Franja, Fortesa Berisha (sub 86mins), Mikaela Metalla, Megi Doci. Subs not used: Klesjana Spaho, Marinela Mema, Suzane Vuksani, Antigona Hyska, Aglia Iliadhi, Rexhina Maxhalaku, Sara Begallo, Xhesika Ndoj.