Wales moved a step closer to a first ever Women’s Football World Cup after achieving a convincing 4-0 aggregate victory over Albania in the semi-finals of the European play-offs.

Rhian Wilkinson’s side entered the two-legged tie ranked 31st in the world, thirty-seven places above Albania, but with a heavily depleted squad. Nine players were unavailable through injury, with six uncapped players being included as Wales looked to continue the momentum built since reaching their first major tournament, the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.

Wales Edge Difficult First Leg

The first leg, held at Stadiumi Loro Boriçi, proved far less comfortable than the rankings suggested, with Wales returning from Albania with a narrow 1-0 advantage.

The only goal arrived after 21 minutes, when Ezmiralda Franja turned Lily Woodham’s corner into her own net.

Wales had over 55% of possession and nine attempts, but managed only three on target: a sum equalled by their hosts. Albania also struck the post, while Megi Doci had a goal ruled out as offside.

Wilkinson’s options were limited with Ella Powell, Ffion Morgan and Liverpool midfielder Ceri Holland amongst those unavailable, and leading goalscorer Hannah Cain starting on the bench.

Nevertheless, Wales found a way to win, extending their soon-to-be record-unbeaten run, equalling the previous national best of nine matches without defeat, set between November 2013 and August 2014.

Wales Turn On Style

Any concerns from the opening encounter disappeared in the second leg as Wales produced a dominant performance in front of a record 4,837 crowd at Parc y Scarlets.

Centre-back Mayzee Davies opened the scoring after 34 minutes, heading home her first senior professional goal. Elise Hughes doubled the advantage five minutes after half-time before Hannah Cain completed the 3-0 victory with a close-range finish in the 62nd minute.

Wales controlled 62.2% of possession and registered seventeen shots, seven on target, while limiting Albania to just two attempts on goal.

“What you saw today was a completely different Wales, and we need to see more of that team”, Wilkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

“We’re finding ways on hard days to win, Albania was a hard day. On days like this when it comes together you’re seeing a level of football that’s fun to watch and fun to see.”

Wilkinson also praised those who had stepped up amid Wales’ injury problems.

“We need depth in Wales, we had nine injuries. This is what we want to see, when there’s an opportunity through injury, the youngsters coming in and giving me a headache.”

For Mayzee Davies, her landmark goal made the occasion even more memorable. “It’s amazing, it’s my first professional goal”, Davies told BBC Sport Wales; “to get it for my country is honestly amazing”.

How does World Cup Qualification work?

Qualifying began with 53 European nations competing in a Nations-League style format, with League A group winners Denmark, France, Germany and Spain achieving qualification.

With those four places secured, the remaining field was whittled down to 32 teams for the European play-offs. The play-offs consist of two knockout rounds, with each tie contested over two legs.

Following their victory over Albania, next up is a reunion with former Wales manager Gemma Grainger, who departed in 2024 to take charge of Norway. The first leg is at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 1st December.

Victory over the two legs would be historic, although not necessarily enough to guarantee a World Cup place: seven of the eight play-off final winners qualify directly for next summer’s tournament in Brazil, with the lowest-ranked winner from the qualifying group stage entering the inter-confederation play-offs.