- Rhian Wilkinson’s team get their first point in the Nations League
- Classy Sweden take a first half lead through Filippa Angeldahl
- Cymru frustrate their visitors with a resolute defensive display
- Kayleigh Barton levels the game from the penalty spot
Cymru pulled off a fine comeback against an excellent Sweden team who will be incredibly disappointed not to have taken all three points from their visit to Wrexham, however, Rhian Wilkinson’s team were resolute in defence and made their own luck to take a point from the former winners of the Euros.
Sweden deserved their lead at half-time following a first-half where they showed their class. Filippa Angeldahl scored the goal that separated the teams after Magdalena Eriksson’s run down the left saw her send a dangerous cross into the box. Olivia Clark dived the push the ball out from her 6-yard box but Angeldahl was ready to pounce and fire the loose ball into the net.
Cymru’s best moment of the first half came through a Ceri Holland run into the Sweden box. Three defenders blocked her out as her shot was stopped but the ball broke for Ceri Jones in space. Jones unleashed a shot but some superb defending blocked the strike from causing Jennifer Falk any issues in the Sweden goal.
Through the early exchanges of the second half, Sweden really should have doubled their lead when Stina Blackstenius hit the post but whilst Cymru rode their luck at times, they also created their own luck.
Holland was really dangerous in the second half and it looked as though any potential of an equaliser would come through her somehow and that’s exactly what happened. When she played a searching ball into the Sweden box during a Cymru attack, the ball was handled by a Swedish defender and a penalty was immediately awarded.
Barton stepped up to hit a wonderful penalty kick high into the centre of the goal. She gave Falk absolutely no chance of making a save.
Cymru comfortably held on to secure their first point of this UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign.
Their next match in the competition will be on 4 April against Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium. Tickets are available by clicking here.
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