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Saturday, June 6, 2026

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Wales pegged back by late goal

Montenegro 1 (Djokovic 79) Wales 1 (Cain pen 40)

Wales were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Montenegro in Podgorica, dropping two vital points in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign after a late equaliser denied them victory.

Carrie Jones captained Wales for the first time as head coach Rhian Wilkinson rotated her starting line up with one eye on Tuesday’s decisive home fixture against Czechia in Cardiff. Travel disruption saw the Welsh side arrive in the Montenegrin capital a day later than scheduled, though Wilkinson insisted there would be no excuses.

Mindful that Wales had won 6-1 when the sides met back in March, Montenegro set up defensively from the outset, sitting deep in numbers and looking to frustrate their visitors. Wales enjoyed the majority of possession but found it difficult to carve out clear opportunities against a well organised home defence with limited space between the lines.

Wales adopted a more direct approach, with increased balls played in behind the Montenegro backline creating greater threat. Ffion Morgan and Ella Powell posed problems on the flanks with their crossing, and Morgan delivered a dangerous ball that Hannah Cain was unable to convert after it was well intercepted by goalkeeper Ajša Kalac. Moments earlier, Jones had seen a header drift narrowly wide.

The breakthrough arrived just before half time when Katarina Cadenovic fouled Powell inside the penalty area. Cain stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick for her sixth goal of the qualifying campaign, to send Wales into the interval with a deserved lead.

Montenegro nearly responded immediately after the restart, with Medina Dešic firing wide from the edge of the box, but Wales quickly regained control. Elise Hughes thought she had doubled the advantage only for her shot to be superbly cleared off the line by Sladjana Bulatovic. Cain then wasted a glorious chance to add a second when she failed to connect properly with another Morgan cross.

Wales continued to dominate for long spells, winning a series of corners and looking comfortable as they protected their lead. Montenegro’s disciplined defending restricted clear-cut chances, and the result appeared secure until the closing stages.

However, with just over ten minutes remaining, Lily Woodham lost possession to Dešic, who crossed for substitute Jasna Djokovic to steal in ahead of Esther Morgan and head home the equaliser. The goal came as a significant blow, particularly with news emerging that group leaders Czech Republic had also been held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Albania in Prague.

Wales now face a must-win encounter against Czech Republic at Cardiff on Tuesday 9 June if they are to top the group ahead of the final round of qualifiers.

Montenegro: Ajsa Kalac, Darija Djukic, Alexandra Popovic (sub Tanja Malesija 84mins), Maja Saranovic, Helena Bozic, Nadja Stanovic, Sladjana Bulatovic, Katarina Cadenovic, Medina Desic (sub Armisa Kuc 84mins), Masa Tomasevic (sub Jasna Djokovic 75mins), Andrea Janjusevic (sub Andela Toskovic 58mins). Subs not used: Nadja Djurdjevac, Jovana Saric, Tatjana Osmajic, Ilda Orahovac, Anastasija Krstovic, Slavica Krstevska, Nada Doknic, Ivana Boncic.

Wales: Safia Middleton-Patel, Mayzee Davies, Gemma Evans, Sophie Ingle (sub Angharad James 61mins), Esther Morgan, Ella Powell (sub Lily Woodham 61mins), Ffion Morgan (sub Ceri Holland 72mins), Carrie Jones (sub Mared Griffiths 61mins), Elise Hughes, Rachel Rowe, Hannah Cain (sub Laura Hughes 80yjuhhkmins). Subs not used: Poppy Soper, Rhiannon Roberts, Phoebie Poole, Lois Joel, Charlie Estcourt, Olivia Clark, Mia Ross.