Summary

  • Rhian Wilkinson makes winning start to tenure as Wales boss

  • Jess Fishlock scores in fourth minute and 49th minute

  • Rachel Rowe makes it 3-0 in 51st minute before Angharad James scores Wales' fourth five minutes later

  • Wales travel to Kosovo for second qualifier on Tuesday night; Croatia host Ukraine

  1. Postpublished at 57 mins

    Wales 4-0 Croatia

    Wales last scored four games against Northern Ireland in a 4-1 win at the Cardiff City Stadium.

    That game will be exactly one year ago tomorrow.

    The last time they scored five in a game was against Greece in November 2021.

  2. goal

    GOAL - Wales 4-0 Croatiapublished at 56 mins

    Angharad James

    That's game over now!

    Another assist for Gemma Evans, who puts in a deep cross which is completely misread by Doris Bacic in the Croatian goal.

    The ball floats over her head but Angharad James still has a lot to do at the back post.

    But the former Spurs midfielder stretches out a leg and manages to turn the ball in from a very acute angle.

    Rhian Wilkinson is one very happy head coach right now.

    Angharad James volleys homeImage source, Getty Images
  3. Postpublished at 55 mins

    Wales 3-0 Croatia

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    That's more like it!

    This team really plays for each other, Jess Fishlock is on a hat-trick and she still squares it to Rachel Rowe.

    It's a lovely goal from Rowe with her left foot.

    Rachel Rowe lines up a shotImage source, Getty Images
  4. YELLOW CARDpublished at 53 mins

    Wales 3-0 Croatia

    Frustrations boiling over now for Croatia.

    Andrea Glibo is the first player booked this evening, not for her foul but the reaction after a free-kick was given against her.

  5. Postpublished at 52 mins

    Wales 3-0 Croatia

    Gwennan Harries
    Former Wales striker on BBC Match of the Day Wales

    The second goal is deserved, superb delivery from Gemma Evans and who else but Jess Fishlock.

    Great touch down and she did brilliantly to follow it in and get her second.

  6. goal

    GOAL - Wales 3-0 Croatiapublished at 51 mins

    Rachel Rowe

    Fantastic stuff from Wales!

    They lacked a clinical edge in the first half, but whatever Rhian Wilkinson said at half-time has worked.

    Croatia lose possession deep in their own half, Angharad James pinching the ball back.

    Jess Fishlock, who is now on a hat-trick, unselfishly passes to Rachel Rowe who cuts onto her left foot and shoots across Doris Bacic into the bottom corner.

    Croatia have not had a shot today. Is that game over already?

  7. goal

    GOAL - Wales 2-0 Croatiapublished at 49 mins

    Jess Fishlock

    It is deja vu from the first half.

    Wales have started brilliantly, and Jess Fishlock is picked out by a lovely cross from Gemma Evans.

    Fishlock chests down the ball and chips the goalkeeper, the ball bounces back off the crossbar and she heads into the net from a yard away.

    Just two goals from Helen Ward's all-time Wales record now!

    Jess Fishlock heads into the netImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 49 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    Ffion Morgan is probably one of the quickest players in this Welsh squad, she's a flyer.

    She's got a good delivery and I expect her to cause Croatia problems.

  9. Postpublished at 48 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Nice training ground move from the corner kick, as Angharad James makes a near-post run and is picked out by Rachel Rowe.

    However the shot from the Seattle Reign midfielder is tame and easily gathered by Doris Bacic.

  10. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Wales start off the second half as they did the first, on the front foot.

    Rachel Rowe wins an early free-kick before Ffion Morgan's cross goes behind for a corner.

  11. KICK-OFFpublished at 46 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    We are back under way in north Wales!

    Can Wales hold onto this lead and give Rhian Wilkinson victory in her first game in charge?

  12. Postpublished at 20:16 British Summer Time 5 April

    HT: Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Katie Sherwood
    Former Wales midfielder on BBC Match of the Day Wales

    I know Jess Fishlcok would give up every achievement that she's won to get the chance to play at a major tournament with Wales.

    She's so dedicated and absolutely loves playing for Wales.

    She's only a year younger than me and she still puts in those great performances, I'm in awe of her.

  13. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 5 April

    HT: Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Wales are making one change at half-time, with Ffion Morgan coming on for Ella Powell at right-back.

    Second half is seconds away.

  14. Postpublished at 20:13 British Summer Time 5 April

    HT: Wales 1-0 Croatia

    One statistic to bring you from that first half, Jess Fishlock's goal was her 41st for Wales.

    That number is the same as Gareth Bale managed for Wales.

    Only Helen Ward is ahead of Fishlock and Bale on 44 goals.

    Can Fishlock score three more goals in this campaign to draw level?

  15. Postpublished at 20:08 British Summer Time 5 April

    HT: Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Katie Sherwood
    Former Wales midfielder on BBC Match of the Day Wales

    It's about that final decision, that final pass for Wales.

  16. Postpublished at 20:06 British Summer Time 5 April

    HT: Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Katie Sherwood
    Former Wales midfielder on BBC Match of the Day Wales

    I think we've seen great freedom from Wales.

    It's been a really positive first half.

    But it would be nice to see Wales add a few goals in the second half.

  17. Postpublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 5 April

    HT: Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Kath Morgan
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Cymru

    We need to move the ball better.

    A couple of players have been guilty of keeping the ball and running into a blue wall and then the opportunity is gone.

  18. HALF-TIME - Wales 1-0 Croatiapublished at 20:02 British Summer Time 5 April

    So far, so good for Wales, as they lead Croatia 1-0 at half-time in Wrexham.

    Jess Fishlock's early goal put Wales ahead, but they have not been able to build on their lead since.

    We will be back with the second-half shortly, grab a cuppa and we will be right back!

    Wales boss Rhian WilkinsonImage source, PA Media
  19. Postpublished at 45 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    I think there will be some frustration from Wales that they haven't added to the lead.

    Credit to Croatia for staying organised and defending well, but I don't think Wales are helping themselves.

  20. Postpublished at 44 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    The ball finds its way to Hayley Ladd on the corner of the box.

    The Manchester United defender puts in a lovely cross to the back post for Elise Hughes, but her header while stretching does not find the target.