Euro 2025 qualifier - Wales 4-0 Croatia - reaction

1. Rhian Wilkinson makes winning start to tenure as Wales boss
2. Jess Fishlock scores in fourth minute and 49th minute
3. Rachel Rowe makes it 3-0 in 51st minute before Angharad James scores Wales' fourth five minutes later
4. Wales travel to Kosovo for second qualifier on Tuesday night; Croatia host Ukraine

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What an evening for Rhian Wilkinson and Wales, as they got their new era off to a flying start with a 4-0 win over Croatia.

Wales showed a clinical edge they have lacked at times in recent years, and limited the visitors to just one shot on target in the whole game - and that was a speculative effort from distance.

There is still a long way to go in this Euro 2025 qualification campaign, as Wales look to finally reach a major tournament for the first time.

But Wales will enjoy this evening, and look ahead to Kosovo on Tuesday night which could see Jess Fishlock win her 150th cap.

Thank you very much for joining us this evening! Until next time!

FAW

Rhian Wilkinson discussing Jess Fishlock on BBC Match of the Day Wales: "Helen Ward you mentioned, these are two icons of the game so how great to have that record [44 goals] for Jess to chase.

"It was one of those, do I leave her on? Can she conserve herself? She's not able to, the woman only gives 100% so I had to take her off to save her from herself.

"All of our midfielders were involved in the scoring tonight which was nice to see."

Fans can be 'proud' of performance - Wilkinson

Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson told BBC Match of the Day Wales: "You can see I'm pretty animated on the sidelines and I'm watching the team deliver a performance the fans can be proud of.

"Part of this is a learning curve for the team. The last year they've been playing League A opposition and they haven't had as much of the ball as they did tonight.

"They got the message in the second and we're really proud of what they delivered."

On the message at half-time, Wilkinson said: "It was a clear message. We showed them a few clips of the spaces they were being given.

"It was just that clarity of where we could exploit space and they were clinical in front of the net.

Ahead of the game against Kosovo, Wilkinson added: "I have a great staff. We'll go back and review the game, there's medical checks that need to happen.

"It was a good performance, but there was a lot of areas to improve in."

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'The final score speaks for itself' - Rowe

FAW

Wales goal scorer Rachel Rowe told BBC Match of the Day Wales: "It's vital for us our midfield, we were fluid and the build-up play was good between the four of us.

"I think it's easy to get frustrated when you're playing teams in a lower block, but ultimately you have to enjoy it and we did. I think the final score speaks for itself.

"I'm an attacking forward and I've been playing for Wales in this position for the last few years, I think it's where I show my best qualities.

"It's a new campaign, what's there not to be excited about.

"I think Rhian has come in and she's really played on the fact there's no excuses, I think we showed that tonight.

"We're all here for the same reason and that's to get Wales to a major tournament.

"It will top anything we've achieved, to get this country to a major tournament is what it's all about."

'You can ask for more than that' - Fishlock

Wales player of the match Jess Fishlock told BBC Match of the Day Wales: "I'm really proud of this group.

"Rhian has come in, we've only had a couple of days together and we've scored four goals and kept a clean sheet - I don't think you can ask for more than that.

"The [goal-scoring] record is not something I think about, I just want to do my best for the team.

"I won't think about it too much, but I bet Helen [Ward] is watching it closely!

"Tuesday [Fishlock's 150th cap] will be huge, not just for me and my family, but for every women who has put on the Welsh jersey.

"It's not just my moment, it's for everyone who has come before me and helped me get to this point."

FAW

Excellent win for Wales

Michael Pearlman

BBC Sport Wales at the Racecourse, Wrexham

So much for Wales fans to enjoy about that performance.

• The Nations League campaign HAS lifted Wales' level.
• Jess Fishlock, absolutely world class.
• Three defenders seems to suit Wales.
• Rhian Wilkinson enjoying a winning start.
• Ffion Morgan coming on at half-time is a signal of intent.
• More cutting edge.
• A chance to rotate the squad and rest tired legs.

An absolutely dream night for Wales.

Elsewhere in Group B4

In this evening's other game in Group B4, Ukraine beat Wales' next opponents Kosovo 2-0.

Ukraine are ranked two spots below Wales in the Fifa world rankings, and are likely to be their biggest threat to top spot in the group.

Katie Sherwood

Former Wales midfielder on BBC Match of the Day Wales

It was a dominant performance from the team tonight.

Wales were calm, composed and to be honest relentless in that second half.

Helen Ward

Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

I think Rhian Wilkinson will be really pleased, the way Wales started both halves was electric.

She had a good opportunity to see her squad on the field and on from the bench, it's been the perfect start for her.

FULL TIME - Wales 4-0 Croatia

The perfect start to life under Rhian Wilkinson, as Wales cruise past Croatia in a professional 4-0 win at the Racecourse in Wrexham.

Jess Fishlock put Wales ahead after four minutes, but despite having roughly 80% possession in the opening half they could not build on the lead.

But build on the lead they did after the break, in emphatic style.

Fishlock got her second before turning provider for Rachel Rowe, who had a brilliant game.

And Angharad James completed the scoring, stretching at the far post to turn a long ball from Gemma Evans into the back of the net.

Job done for Wales. A brilliant start to their qualification campaign.

Stay with us for all the reaction to the win.

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Gwennan Harries

Former Wales striker on BBC Match of the Day Wales

I think Rachel Rowe was close to be honest [to winning player of the match], but the freedom that Jess Fishlock has operated with tonight has been brilliant.

Two goals and an assist, she's been at the heartbeat of everything for Wales in attack.

A crowd of 4,117 have turned out in north Wales for this evening's game.

They will not have been disappointed!

Two minutes added

We will have a minimum of two minutes of time added on.

Sixty seconds left plus any time added on.

It has been a professional performance from Wales this evening, who have dominated from start to finish.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

No surprises here, as Jess Fishlock is named player of the match.

Well deserved.

Gwennan Harries

Former Wales striker on BBC Match of the Day Wales

I'm really looking forward to seeing Alice Griffiths, she's been great at club level for Southampton.

It will do her all the good, being in this environment and around these players.

SUBSTITUTION

Alice Griffiths is on for his seventh Wales cap, replacing Sophie Ingle.

Angharad James will wear the captain for the remainder of the game.

The substitutions for Wales have been really impressive.

This time it is Ceri Holland who again races at the Croatian defence.

She then feeds Ffion Morgan who lines up a shot which is well blocked.

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Angharad James is the latest to have a shot, but this one from 20-yards out is well wide of the target.

Just over five minutes left for Wales to hold onto this clean sheet.

It is end-to-end stuff suddenly.

Lois Joel has looked bright on her debut, and has the chance to make it five but her eventual shot is a tame one and easily saved by Doris Bacic.