Jess Fishlock is thrown into the air by her team-mates at full time Getty Images

Jess Fishlock was thrown into the air by her team-mates after the game

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport WalesCardiff City Stadium

Jess Fishlock said an emotional farewell to international football as Wales were beaten 2-1 by Australia at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Fishlock played for 92 minutes as she won her 166th and final cap, but there was no happy end to the midfielder's sparkling Wales career thanks to a late Australian winner from Caitlin Foord.

In truth the result was not of great significance, for this game will be remembered as the end of an era, with Wales left to contemplate the future without their most influential player.

Fishlock, wearing the captain's armband, performed with the blend of quality and endeavour which has made her a Welsh footballing great, before waving goodbye to a crowd of more than 11,000 as she was substituted in added time.

It seemed for a while as though Wales would send Fishlock off with a draw against the team ranked 15th in the world, after a memorable first international goal from 18-year-old Mared Griffiths cancelled out Courtney Nevin's opener.

But as Wales faded in the closing stages, Foord steered home Kyra Cooney-Cross' centre to give the visitors victory.

There had been an early fright for Wales when Katrina Gorry, one of a number of WSL players in the Australian team, struck the top of Safia Middleton-Patel's crossbar from 20 yards.

Jess Fishlock waves goodbye as she leaves the pitchFAW

Jess Fishlock waves goodbye as she leaves the field

But Rhian Wilkinson's side settled, with Ceri Holland seeing a decent penalty appeal turned down - after Clare Hunt's clumsy challenge - before her cross almost teed up Fishlock for a 49th international goal.

Wales' growing momentum was halted by a soft Australian goal, as Sam Kerr – playing her first international since 2023 – could not get a touch on Courtney Nevin's curling free-kick and the ball missed everyone before bouncing into the net.

Yet Wales responded admirably, with Hannah Cain denied by Matildas keeper Teagen Micah before the equaliser came.

Fishlock was involved, taking a touch to tee herself for a shot only for Clare Wheeler's challenge to send the ball rolling to Griffiths.

The Manchester United youngster was facing away from goal, but glanced over her shoulder before lifting a shot on the turn over Micah and inside the far post.

But there was to be no Fishlock fairytale, as Australia's best spell was rewarded with the late winner.

The end of an extraordinary career – and a hole to fill

Jess Fishlock embraces Angharad James Getty Images

Jess Fishlock is Wales' most-capped footballer and leading international goalscorer

Remarkably, Fishlock exits the international stage having played in just over two-thirds of the 246 matches in the history of Wales' women's football team.

In time the ratio will dwindle, of course, but the memory of her contribution will not fade any time soon.

Captain Angharad James says Fishlock's legacy will be similar to the one left by Gareth Bale, the talisman of the Wales men's team who retired in 2023.

Bale was the key player as Wales reached three men's major tournaments in six years, while Fishlock crowned her international career by appearing at Euro 2025.

Wales may have lost all their games in Switzerland, but just getting to a first major tournament was a triumph given the seismic progress made since Fishlock's international debut in 2006.

Wales' finest moment at the European Championship was their maiden goal, which was scored, fittingly, by Fishlock.

Even at 38, she remained Wales' key player, the one most likely to provide a moment to change a game.

As was the case with Bale, the challenge of filling the void Fishlock's retirement will leave is a daunting one.

A team in transition

Wales celebrate Mared Griffiths' goal FAW

Mared Griffiths made her mark against Australia having missed out on a place in Wales' Euro 2025 squad

Fishlock follows another of Wales' senior figures at Euro 2025, Kayleigh Barton, by saying goodbye to international football.

Barton's contribution was marked as she was given a guard of honour by her now former team-mates before Wales kicked off against Australia.

Wilkinson was without another seven European Championship players because of injury, meaning there is a youthful look about the current squad.

There were debuts for two 18-year-olds, Gwen Zimmerman and Scarlett Hill, as well as 20-year-old Tianna Teisar, who had the honour of replacing Fishlock.

But it was Griffiths who made the boldest impression as she marked her second cap – and first Wales start – with a memorable goal.

Griffiths was born in March 2007, just under 12 months after Fishlock's international debut.

Here was a moment to mark the changing of the guard.

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