Key Takeaways
- Rhiannon Roberts’ first-half goal gave Wales a 1-0 win in Albania.
- Coach Rhian Wilkinson admitted her side were below their best but praised their fighting spirit.
- Wales stay second in Group B1, level on points with leaders Czech Republic.
Rhian Wilkinson praised her players for discovering a way to win even when their football was flat as Wales squeezed past Albania 1-0 on Saturday night.
The visitors never reached the heights of last week’s 4-0 rout in Wrexham, yet Roberts’ 38th-minute finish proved enough in Elbasan.
“It was a tough evening,” the Wales boss said. “We were not at our normal level, but good teams still take three points on off-days. We did that.”
Albania twice hit the woodwork and argued that Roberts controlled the ball with her arm before shooting. Wilkinson shrugged off the claim, insisting the goal was fair.
The narrow victory keeps Wales in second place in Group B1, behind the Czech Republic only on goal difference after the Czechs beat Montenegro 4-1 earlier.
Next up for Wales is a trip to Montenegro on 5 June, followed by a Cardiff showdown with the Czechs four days later. The winner of that final match will probably top the section and earn a kinder play-off draw for Brazil 2027.
Wilkinson warned her squad that every point must now be earned. “This group has no easy fixtures,” she stressed. “Albania showed great discipline and made us work. We must be sharper next time.”