Australia win 2-1 to Wales in a friendly at Cardiff City Stadium.

Earlier today, Wales faced Australia in a friendly at Cardiff City Stadium. The game ended with an Australian victory, winning 2-1 away from home. Here’s a run down on the whole game.

📸: FAW

Starting XI’s -

Wales: Middleton-Patel, Evans, Ingle, Zimmerman, Holland, James, Fishlock (C) , Cain, Ladd, M.Griffiths, Morgan.

Australia: Micah, Nevin, Heatley, Hunt, Wheeler, Torpey, Foord, Raso (C) , Gorry, Kerr, Cooney-Cross.

This game was a special one as Jess Fishlock played her last game for Wales as she announced her retirement from international football late last week. She was the record goalscorer, most capped player and captain of Cymru.

Early in the game, Australia were creating chances with a couple of shots on goal from Katrina Gorry. The Welsh defence stayed strong, keeping the ball out well whilst Fishlock tested her luck in an attempted shot. Australia scored in the 28th minute by Courtney Nevin though for a moment it seemed Sam Kerr had added her name to the scoresheet. Kerr then confirmed the goal belonged to Nevin.

Australia went into the break 1–0 up showing strong attacking intent and energy throughout the first half. Wales remained composed and focused on keeping possession and building their play patiently.

Before the second half went underway, Wales made a change in their squad bringing on Charlie Estcourt who replaced Gwenn Zimmerman. Following this, the Matildas made no changes.

The second half started and early on, Courtney Nevin briefly came off after a nosebleed but was soon back in the action.

The afternoon may have been about Fishlock, but Mared Griffiths had just stolen the limelight. She was composed and shot it over the Australian goalkeeper, Teagan Micah in the 55th minute. 1-1, it had all changed.

Australia then made substitutions about 64 minutes in, Kaitlyn Torpey came off and was replaced by Ellie Carpenter.

Sam Kerr, who played her first game back for the Matildas after 2yrs out, was replaced by Holly Mcnamara. And finally, Hayley Raso came off, who just received her 100th cap, was replaced by Amy Sayer.

Another substitution for Cymru as Hannah Cain went off and Elise Hughes took her space on the pitch in the 67th minute.

Welsh defender, Gemma Evans, made many crucial blocks and showed real composure at the back despite not always getting the recognition she deserves.

Wales made a double substitution late in the game, with teenager Scarlett Hill coming on for Ffion Morgan. Around the 80-minute mark, Mared Griffiths was also replaced by Carrie Jones as Wales looked to inject fresh energy into the side.

Australia soon took back their lead through Caitlin Foord who finished brilliantly to make it 2–1. The goal came after a clever movement from her teammates when they drew the Welsh defenders away, leaving Foord free to strike.

The fourth official signalled seven minutes of added time as the game entered its final stretch.

Australia made further changes bringing Cortnee Vine on who replaced Kyra Cooney-Cooney and replacing goalscorer Caitlin Foord was Michelle Heyman as they looked to see out the game

Jess Fishlock’s final game came to an emotional close as she was substituted off for Tianna Teisar. The Welsh midfielder saluted the crowd, marking the end of an era with a heartfelt farewell.

As the final minute approached, Wales pushed forward and hoped to create one last chance. Ceri Holland applied pressure on Ellie Carpenter but the clock kept running.

Although seven minutes of added time had been announced, play had spilled over into just over nine minutes.

Ultimately, the whistle blew, and Wales fell to a heavy defeat.