Gallery: All the best images from Wales’ impressive win against Croatia

 

 

Back left to right, Wales’ Gemma Evans, Olivia Clark, Hayley Ladd, Elise Hughes, Ella Powell, bottom left to right, Rhiannon Roberts, Jessica Fishlock, Lily Woodham Sophie Ingle, Angharad James, Rachel Rowe pose for a team photo ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson. Photo Nick Potts/PA Wire.

 

Wales’ Ella Powell in action during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Left to right Wales’ Sophie Ingle, Olivia Clark, Hayley Ladd before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

 

Jess Fishlock made her 150th appearance for Wales in the victory over Kosovo. Photo Nick Potts/PA Wire.

 

Wales’ Rachel Rowe in action against Croatia’s Tea Krznarić (left) and Ružica Krajinović (right) during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Ella Powell (left) in action against Croatia’s Ana Jelenčić during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Rachel Rowe celebrates with team mate Jessica Fishlock (left) after scoring their side’s third goal of the game during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Angharad James scores their side’s fourth goal of the game during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Angharad James (left) celebrates with team mate Gemma Evans . Photo credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire

 

Wales’ Rachel Rowe (centre right) celebrates with team mate Angharad James (left) after scoring their side’s third goal of the game during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Ffion Morgan in action against Croatia’s Ana Jelenčić during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Rachel Rowe (centre right) scores their side’s third goal of the game during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Ceri Holland in action against Croatia’s Ana Jelenčić during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Rhiannon Roberts in action during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Mary McAteer (left) in action against Croatia’s Petra Pezelj during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying round League B, Group B4 match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wales Women. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder

 

Wales’ Angharad James in action against Croatia. Photo Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Wales returned to Wrexham and treated the crowd to a hugely impressive 4-0 win over Croatia in their opening European Championship qualifying match.

The women’s side had not played at The Racecourse since March 2020 and new boss Rhian Wilkinson, the former Canada defender and England and Team GB assistant coach, was determined to make a winning start.

Wilkinson had not hesitated in outlining her ambition after succeeding Gemma Grainger following her shock departure to manage Norway – leading Wales to a first major tournament.

Rowe went close from 20 yards before Wales made the perfect start after four minutes.

The Rangers livewire drove towards the penalty area and slipped in Fishlock, who punished untidy defending with a cool sidefoot finish.

It was Fishlock’s 41st Wales goal and drew her level with Gareth Bale’s international tally – but the 37-year-old would move beyond that mark four minutes into the second period.

Rowe was Wales’ most dangerous player with her sniping runs constantly troubling Croatia’s packed defence.

With the visitors showing little – if any – attacking intent, Wales completely dominated opponents 27 places below them in the FIFA rankings.

Croatia captain Doris Bacic fielded a Fishlock shot straight at her and reacted well to smother Elise Hughes’ effort with her legs.

Hughes headed Hayley Ladd’s cross over at the far post, but Wales were out of sight within 11 minutes of the restart following a quickfire treble.

Fishlock grabbed her second after controlling Gemma Evans’ pass on her chest and lifting the ball over Bacic.

The ball eluded two backtracking defenders and came back off the crossbar for the alert Fishlock to nod home.

Rowe slotted the ball home two minutes later after James won possession and Fishlock had set her up with an intelligent square pass.

Evans claimed a second assist with another pinpoint diagonal pass as James slid in to score from a difficult angle.