Fishlock 'unbelievable and a Welsh icon' - Wilkinson

Uefa Women's Euro qualifier: Wales v Kosovo

Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Tuesday, 16 July Kick-off: 18:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Highlights: S4C from from 21:03 BST and later on demand.

Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson says “unbelievable” Jess Fishlock is an “icon” of Welsh sport.

Fishlock, 37, scored her 44th international goal to equal Helen Ward’s all-time Wales scoring record as she helped Wilkinson's side to a 3-0 win in Croatia that takes them top of their European Championship qualifying group.

Fishlock, already Wales’ most-capped player, has the chance overtake Ward on Tuesday when Wales face bottom-placed Kosovo, knowing a point will be enough to secure top spot in group B4.

“Jess never turns down the chance to represent her nation and she does it with such pride, she gives everything in every single game,” Wilkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

“We talk about her a lot but it still is not enough because she is an icon in Wales.

“She scored in the first five minutes of my first game, after 15 minutes tonight. She does the gritty side of the game as well, she never stops working.”

Fishlock's latest Wales goal came in her 153rd international appearance, a record which is all the more remarkable considering the bulk of her career has seen her playing for Wales as a midfielder.

“I can’t actually believe that I have scored that many goals from midfield, especially as I used to be a holding midfielder,” Fishlock reflected.

“I couldn’t do it without all of these girls, past and present, I can’t score on my own.”

Fishlock’s historic moment was witnessed in person by her wife, Seattle Reign team-mate Tziarra King, who was part of the small travelling group of Wales fans.

“I had my wife here tonight as we have a break in America. She has travelled all the way over here with her family to show her support and having her here does make it extra special,” Fishlock added.

Modestly, Fishlock did not even mention her goal being one that equalled Ward’s record, meaning many of her team-mates did not realise she had made history.

“I completely forgot about Jess equalling the record, hopefully she gets many more goals and plays many more games for us,” Angharad James said.

“She’s a big and important player and will be until she hangs her boots up.

“She’s a great person and a great player.”

Wales now need just a point against Kosovo – who have lost all five qualifiers – to secure top spot in their group.

That will provide Wilkinson’s side a more favourable play-off semi-final draw as well as ensuring they return to the Nations League’s top tier in 2025-26.

Wilkinson says she is unlikely to rotate heavily and will instead be focusing on closing out the group in style.

“We want to deliver six points and I would urge the fans to come out and see the likes of Jess Fishlock at home, it is a privilege that is coming closer to an end,” she added.

Fishlock says her team-mates will remain focused on the task at hand as they chase a first major tournament appearance and they look to build on the hard-earned win in a sweltering Karlovac.

“It felt like a throwback game, it’s incredibly hot, the pitch was really heavy, it’s muggy and Croatia slowed the game down as much as they could and hit us with hard tackles,” she added.

“But it was a very professional performance from us, I am proud of everyone.

“We’ve got to go back again now on Tuesday and put in a good performance and then look forward to the play-offs.”