Wales 1–2 Australia: Fishlock bids farewell as Foord’s late goal stuns Cymru | OneFootball

It was an afternoon of tears at Cardiff City Stadium as the curtain fell on an era of Welsh football with Jess Fishlock playing in the red jersey for the final time, earning her 166th and last cap.

Wearing the captain’s armband, Fishlock led her country with the familiar before waving goodbye to a crowd of more than 11,000 supporters when she was substituted in stoppage time.

The friendly was also significant for Australia as Hayley Raso appeared in her 100th match for the country.

Eight new players were given minutes by Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson in the historic game as they took on the 15th-ranked team in the world.

Mared Griffiths’s debut saw her score a stunning opening goal, but Caitlin Foord’s late effort sealed a 2–1 victory for the Matildas.

As It Happened

The match began on a rare note with the match ball being replaced in the first two minutes. Australia soon warmed up comfortably into flow, dictating possession and showing off their class.

Wales received a wake-up call early when Katrina Gorry’s 20-yard shot rattled against the crossbar, leaving debutant goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel stranded for an instant.

Despite Australia’s early dominance, Wales started to come into their stride. Ceri Holland was tackled clumsily by Clare Hunt in the 17th minute, but on a penalty, appeals were ignored.

Later, Holland’s cross nearly produced a fairytale 49th international goal for Fishlock, only for it to be wasted.

Australia’s breakthrough came in the 28th minute through a set piece. Courtney Nevin’s free-kick curled around everyone in the box including return striker Sam Kerr and floated past Middleton-Patel into the far corner. It was a soft one from a Welsh perspective and gave the visitors a deserved 1–0 half-time lead.

Wales came out with spirit and belief following the interval. Hannah Cain came close, forcing Teagan Micah into a smart save before the equaliser in the 55th minute. Fishlock was doing it again, curving to shoot before Clare Wheeler’s effort deflected the ball onto Mared Griffiths.

The Manchester United youngster, facing away from goal, spun around and floated a classy shot over Micah and into the far corner an astonishing debut strike to equalise Wales 1–1.

For the majority of the second half, Fishlock’s farewell appeared to be finishing in a thrilling draw. Wales held firm, and Australia pressed for the win, but in the 85th minute, the visitors found it.

Kyra Cooney-Cross delivered an accurate cross from the right, and Caitlin Foord came unattended to head home the winner.

Fishlock was substituted in stoppage time to a standing ovation, departing the field after 92 minutes and 166 caps the curtain falling on one of Wales’s greatest footballing careers.

Even though the night finished in a 2–1 defeat, the night was replete with emotion, pride, and promise, as Wales dreamed of a better future on the inspiration of the legend of their departing skipper.

The lineups:

WAL: Middleton-Patel; Evans, Ladd, Zimmerman; Morgan, James-Turner, Ingle, Holland; Fishlock, Griffiths; Cain