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Wales crash after first half horror show

Wales 1 (Fishlock 82) Italy 4 (Linari 9, Girelli 21,45, Cantore 41)

After something of a nightmare first half, Wales suffered a 4-1 defeat to Italy at the Swansea.com Stadium in their final match before the UEFA

Women’s Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland next month.

Despite a spirited second half effort and a stunning consolation goal from Jess Fishlock, Wales were undone by defensive lapses in a challenging encounter.

The match began at a frenetic pace, with both sides creating early chances. However, Italy capitalised on Wales’ defensive vulnerabilities first when Elena Linari opened the scoring, finding space at the far post to power a corner kick into the top left corner.

Italy doubled their lead in the 21st minute from a free kick on the right flank. Manuela Giugliano’s precise delivery found Cristiana Girelli, who headed past Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark unchallenged.

The third goal arrived soon after, as Sofia Cantore was left unmarked in the box to convert an Angelica Soffia cross with ease.

In first half stoppage time, things got even worse as Italy struck again. Wales had been struck another blow moments earlier when Clark was forced off with an injury after making a save, to be replaced by Safia Middleton-Patel. However, Middleton-Patel’s first task was to pick the ball out of the net as Giugliano’s subsequent corner was met by Girelli, who scored her second to make it 4-0.

Wales improved after the break but struggled to create clear chances, with only a saved shot from Josie Green to show for their efforts. Late in the game, substitute Jess Fishlock - who had missed a much more presentable opportunity a minute earlier - pulled one back with a long range strike that crashed in off the underside of the bar, offering a moment of consolation for the home crowd.

Rhian Wilkinson’s side has faced a steep learning curve in League A of the UEFA Nations League, remaining winless but securing two draws against Sweden. As they prepare for their first ever major tournament at the Euros, Wilkinson and her squad will look to build on these experiences to address defensive frailties and compete at Europe’s top level.

Wales: Olivia Clark (sub Safia Middleton-Patel 44mins), Josie Green (sub Esther Morgan 77mins), Lily Woodham, Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Alice Griffiths (sub Jessica Fishlock 77mins), Ceri Holland, Angharad James, Carrie Jones (sub Elise Hughes 45mins), Rachel Rowe (sub Lois Joel 77mins), Hannah Cain. Subs not used: Soffia Kelly, Amy Richardson, Tianna Teisar, Kayleigh Barton, Charlie Estcourt, Ella Powell, Ffion Morgan.

Italy: Laura Giuliani (sub Francesca Durante 77mins), Martina Lenzini (sub Julie Piga 57mins), Angelica Soffia (sub Valentina Bergamaschi 45mins), Cecilia Salvai, Elena Linari, Manuela Giugliano, Sofia Cantore (sub Valentina Giacinti 45mins), Arianna Caruso, Elisabetta Oliviero, Cristiana Girelli (sub Michela Cambiaghi 69mins), Emma Severini. Subs not used: Rachele Baldi, Agnese Bonfantini, Martina Rosucci, Barbara Bonansea, Margherita Monnecchi, Eleonora Goldoni, Eva Schatzer.