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 20 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    The free-kick falls to Jess Fishlock, but Croatia manage to crowd her out and clear the ball for a Welsh throw-in.

    Jess Fishlock controls the ballImage source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 19 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Lily Woodham wins a free-kick for Wales down the left wing, Izabela Lojna bringing her down.

  3. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

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

    You can see the freedom that Rachel Rowe and Jess Fishlock are having in this system, they're nearly up besides Elise Hughes.

    They've both been granted a license to attack this Croatia team.

  4. Postpublished at 16 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Ella Powell, who is making a rare start for Wales down the right-hand side, is seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages.

    Both Wales full-backs are spending plenty of time high up the field.

    Wales' Ella PowellImage source, PA Media
  5. Postpublished at 15 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    I think Croatia have weathered the early storm a little bit, they've gradually come into the game in the last couple of minutes.

    I think it's important for Croatia to keep their shape and stay in the game.

    As the game then progresses they'll look to progress up the pitch.

  6. Postpublished at 14 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Croatia have a rare venture into the Wales half but Andrea Glibo is caught offside.

    Olivia Clark will get her first touch of the game as she clears this free-kick back towards half-way.

  7. Postpublished at 12 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    The game has just settled down a touch after that frantic start, but it is still Wales having all the possession.

  8. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

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

    Wales have looked sharp in the early outings, I'd like to see them sustain and keep up this pressure.

    A very bright start for Wales.

  9. Postpublished at 10 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Wales are back on the attack, with Jess Fishlock and Ella Powell linking up well down the right-hand side.

    Powell then puts in a cross which is heading into the back of the net, but Croatia captain Doris Bacic reads it well and makes the easy save.

  10. Postpublished at 9 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Croatia have the ball in the Welsh half for the first time but they are quickly dispossessed.

    This is really good stuff so far from Wales at the Racecourse.

  11. Postpublished at 8 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    If anyone was going to break the deadlock it was Jess Fishlock, she's so important to this team.

    I've got to give credit to Rachel Rowe, she drove at the Croatian defence and laid it on a plate.

    What a start for Wales.

    Wales' Jess Fishlock celebrates scoring a goalImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 7 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    There's a small coming together between Ella Powell and Tea Krznaric, which the Croatian is still hobbling from.

    Wales win another corner but nothing comes of it.

  13. Postpublished at 6 mins

    Wales 1-0 Croatia

    One way traffic in Wrexham so far, and Wales have their first corner of the game.

  14. goal

    GOAL - Wales 1-0 Croatiapublished at 4 mins

    Jess Fishlock

    The perfect start for Wales!

    Rachel Rowe turns away from two blue shirts and drives into the Croatia box.

    All the visiting defenders go towards Rowe, leaving Jess Fishlock in acres of space.

    And Rowe does well to find Fishlock, who takes one touch to compose herself before rolling the ball into the bottom corner.

    Rhian Wilkinson's reign is off to a flyer.

  15. Postpublished at 3 mins

    Wales 0-0 Croatia

    Another cross from Lily Woodham is defended at the near post, but the clearance drops to Rachel Rowe who loves a shot from distance.

    On this occasion however the ball drifts past the right post for a goal kick.

  16. Postpublished at 2 mins

    Wales 0-0 Croatia

    Wales are on the front foot in the opening minutes, Lily Woodham's cross goes inches past Angharad James' swinging boot.

    Croatia look happy to sit deep and let Wales attack them.

  17. Postpublished at 1 min

    Wales 0-0 Croatia

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    Coming back up north is fantastic, the fans have turned up in their numbers tonight.

    This team is always excited to put the red shirt on and you can see both the players and fans are raring to go.

    Wales players line upImage source, PA Media
  18. KICK-OFFpublished at 1 min

    Wales 0-0 Croatia

    Wales' Euro 2025 qualification campaign has started as Angharad James gets us under way! Can they kick things off with a win?

  19. Postpublished at 19:13 British Summer Time 5 April

    Wales v Croatia (19:15 BST)

    Rhian Wilkinson said she had been learning the Welsh national anthem and she seems to have the vast majority of it down.

    Kick-off is now just moments away.

    Wales' coaching staffImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 5 April

    Wales v Croatia (19:15 BST)

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    I'm very interested to see how Rhian Wilkinson sets this Wales team up and what sort of style of play we can establish.

    With so many of our players playing at the top level, it makes a big difference and I'm expecting Wales to get the win.