Wales endured a sobering 4-1 defeat at the hands of Italy in their final fixture before Euro 2025, with a dismal first-half performance in Swansea leaving plenty of questions ahead of next month’s tournament in Switzerland.
Italy took full advantage of Wales’ defensive frailties, scoring four times before the break to secure second place in their Nations League group. Cristiana Girelli led the charge with two expertly taken headers, while Elena Linari and Sofia Cantore also got on the scoresheet during a half dominated by the visitors. It was a chastening experience for Wales, whose vulnerabilities were ruthlessly exposed.
There was some late consolation for the hosts when veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock fired in a stunning long-range goal eight minutes from time. Her 35-yard strike crashed in off the underside of the bar, adding a rare moment of brilliance to an otherwise grim evening.
Despite the heavy loss, the Wales manager insisted there was no psychological damage heading into the Euros. She acknowledged the team had been punished for every mistake and described the result as a valuable, if painful, lesson. She emphasized that the first half felt like a “punch in the face” and admitted it was the first time her side had truly been exposed in that way.
The night worsened for Wales when goalkeeper Olivia Clark was forced off before the interval after sustaining a second head injury in less than a week. Already playing with a black eye from a previous game, she took another knock following a collision with teammate Hayley Ladd and was withdrawn before halftime as a precaution. Although concern remains over the repeated impacts, there are no fears of long-term damage.
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Scotland avoided a sixth straight defeat and earned their first point of the campaign with a well-earned 1-1 draw away to the Netherlands. Already relegated from their group, Scotland found themselves behind after Jill Roord opened the scoring for the hosts. However, Kathleen McGovern struck back in the 27th minute with a composed finish to restore parity.
Scotland pushed hard for a winner in the second half and enjoyed a strong spell of dominance. The Netherlands had to rely on the sharp reflexes of goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to maintain the draw, as Scotland threatened with a series of chances. The Scotland manager expressed pride in her side’s display, highlighting their tactical adjustment and the resilience they showed in difficult circumstances.
In Group B1, Northern Ireland secured a crucial promotion playoff spot after a 1-1 draw away to Bosnia and Herzegovina. They needed only to avoid defeat to claim their place and got off to an ideal start when Simone Magill gave them the lead. Sofija Krajsumovic equalized for the hosts before halftime, and while Bosnia pushed for a winner, Northern Ireland held firm. A late scare saw Una Rankic strike the woodwork from a free-kick, but the visitors stayed composed to clinch a chance to move into League A.
With Euro 2025 looming and playoff places still to be contested, the latest Nations League results offered a mix of setbacks and opportunities for the home nations as they prepare for the next stage of their international campaigns.
