Highlights: Wales 1-4 Italy

Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales
At
Swansea.com Stadium

Wales suffered a chastening and concerning defeat in their final match before Euro 2025 as they were thrashed by Italy in Swansea.

Their worst result under head coach Rhian Wilkinson means their Nations League campaign ends without a win heading into this summer's finals in Switzerland.

It was the manner of the defeat that will worry most before their debut at a major tournament as dismal defending saw Italy score four times in the first half, with Juventus forward Christiana Girelli scoring twice.

Substitute Jess Fishlock scored a superb long-range consolation in a spirited second-half to ensure there were some positives for Wales to take from a difficult evening.

But, with an injury concern over goalkeeper Olivia Clark to consider, not even a stunning strike from their 38-year-old record goalscorer could shake off what was at times a worrying display; a goal to remember on a night Wales would like to forget.

By the time Fishlock struck from 35 yards with eight minutes to go, the hosts had already long been punished for an initial lack of focus and urgency that will have Euro opponents England, France and the Netherlands licking their lips if repeated in Switzerland.

No such worries for Italy who, with defender Elena Linari and Juventus' Sofia Cantore also on the scoresheet, head to the finals after finishing second in Group A4 courtesy of the win. Denmark fell into the relegation play-off after being beaten 6-1 by Sweden who qualify for the Nations League semi-finals.

Wales' fate had already been sealed before kick-off, demoted to League B for the next edition of the competition and its ties to the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

The result also keeps them waiting for a first competitive win over a side ranked in the world's top 20, before a summer in which three heavyweights await in the group stage.

And yet, up to now, Wales had been edging closer to that scalp. Competitive in every game, it had been goalscoring not defending that had appeared a major issue.

There had been a resilience and a discipline to the way Wilkinson's side had defended, making this all the more unexpected even against an Italian side who started the campaign as top seeds.

Elena Linari of Italy celebratesGetty Images

Italy scored all their four goals against Wales in the opening period

But there had been warning signs in terms of how Wales have started games by conceding early, an unfortunate habit that continued in Swansea as the visitors pounced after just nine minutes.

What will frustrate Wilkinson all the more is her team had opportunities to twice clear their lines as the corner for the opener was swung in.

But defenders were first not strong enough and then not quick enough to react as Roma's Linari swiped home just her sixth goal in 114 international appearances.

The defending was not much better for the second 12 minutes later.

The free-kick for a foul by Lily Woodham was questionable, but the delivery from Manuela Giugliano was superb, as was the glanced header from Girelli. For all the quality, the concern will be the space the Juventus forward was afforded to score.

The response was meagre. Rachel Rowe and Ceri Holland's right-sided combinations on the counter were the best Wales could muster, although did not produce a clear-cut chance.

Italy, though, hardly had to work for theirs. The third came four minutes before the break as missed tackles – and maybe a missed throw-in from the officials – eventually saw a Girelli cross deflected into the path of a completely unmarked Cantore.

And – after Clark saved superbly from an outside of the boot volley from Cantore before succumbing to what appeared to have been an earlier blow to the head – replacement keeper Safia Middleton-Patel's first job was to pick the ball out of the net as Girelli ghosted her way to connect with Giugliano's corner.

Stoney-faces among senior players on the bench, including record-breaking midfielder Fishlock, told a story.

But there was at least a steelier showing after the break that will encourage Wilkinson. Changes energised the hosts a little and helped them threaten in the final third.

Fishlock, so often the side's inspiration, made sure the evening finished on something of a brighter note as she pounced on a loose ball and struck from long range, the ball beating the keeper and going in off the underside of the bar.

While Wales can take heart of the way they responded, they will also need to heed some harsh lessons. The challenges will not get any easier in Switzerland.

Related topics