Wales humbled at home by rampant Poland

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport WalesRodney Parade

Wales began life after Jess Fishlock with a painful 5-2 friendly defeat to Poland in Newport which extends their winless run to 11 matches.

Rhian Wilkinson appeared to be glancing to the future as she picked an experimental Wales side, with only two players who started Fishlock's farewell game against Australia last Saturday keeping their places.

And while there were some signs of promise from Wales, they were exposed defensively all too often by a Poland side ranked 26th in the world, six places higher than their hosts.

This was Wales' seventh successive loss, their longest sequence since a 12-game losing streak in the mid-1990s.

The thrashing came despite Wales making the ideal start at Rodney Parade, with their early energy and enterprise rewarded as Elise Hughes bundled home after Anna Filbey's shot was parried.

Tianna Teisar, making her first Wales start, was then denied when one on one with Poland goalkeeper Kinga Seweryn, before a succession of set-pieces proved too much for Wilkinson's rearguard.

A neatly worked corner brought the equaliser, with Krezyman guiding a shot low into the far corner of the net, before a similar routine ended with Kokosz's 20-yard drive proving too much for Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark.

Elise Hughes puts Wales ahead Getty Images

Elise Hughes' goal was her fourth for Wales and her first since April 2024

Wales missed chances to level, most notably when substitute Ceri Holland headed against the bar, only to present Poland with a third goal as they gave away possession near halfway.

Krezyman was too quick for the turning Charlie Estcourt – who was winning her 50th Wales cap – and rolled the ball beyond the helpless Clark.

Wales immediately reduced the deficit, when Clark's punt upfield missed everyone and Jones skated in behind the Polish defence before finishing coolly.

But in a remarkable passage of play which brought three goals in as many minutes, Poland re-established their two-goal advantage as Paulina Tomasiak steered in at the near post.

As had been the case against Australia, Wales faded as the game wore on and Poland dished out more punishment when Klaudia Jedlinska cut in from the left and beat Clark from the tightest of angles.

This was defeat number nine in 11 games for Wales since they beat the Republic of Ireland last December to secure qualification for Euro 2025, with their only respite coming in two Nations League draws in the spring.

Analysis: A difficult start to Wales' new era

Adriana Achcinska of Poland is challenged by Mia Ross of WalesGetty Images

Charlton's Mia Ross (right) made her debut for Wales, as did Arsenal teenager Teagan Scarlett

Fishlock, who was among a crowd of more than 2,500 at Rodney Parade, won her 166th and final cap in Saturday's friendly defeat to Australia in Cardiff.

Head coach Wilkinson says it will be impossible to replace Fishlock because the attacking midfielder was a "one-off", but the fact is Wales must now try to find a way forward without their greatest player.

It will be no easy task, but that is the challenge facing Wilkinson, her staff and Wales' players as they attempt to plot a path to the 2027 World Cup.

This was far from an ideal start to the new era, even though Wales - who included two debutants in wingback Teagan Scarlett and midfielder Mia Ross - began with purpose and had their moments going forward.

Wales' cause was not helped by the absence of seven Euro 2025 squad members through injury – plus Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton, who has also retired – but the margin of this defeat was damaging, even if it was only a friendly.

On this evidence, the top priority for a Wales side facing a period of transition is to make themselves harder to beat.

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