Wales’s hopes of reaching Euro 2025 were dented by a 2-1 playoff semi-final first-leg defeat to Slovakia in Poprad, while Scotland beat Hungary 1-0 in Budapest.
Stunning second-half strikes from Martina Surnovska and Maria Mikolajova gave Slovakia a two-goal lead against below-par visitors, but Ffion Morgan’s excellent 89th-minute finish gave Rhian Wilkinson’s side hope for Tuesday’s second leg in Cardiff.
Wales started well with Charlie Estcourt’s volley at the far post blocked by the Slovakia goalkeeper, Maria Korenciova, and Ceri Holland firing over. But the hosts – ranked 51st in the world, 22 places below Wales – took control and Surnovska missed the target from 10 yards before forcing a fine save from Olivia Clark.
Slovakia’s superiority was rewarded four minutes into the second period, moments after Josie Green almost headed into her own net. Wales were slow to close down Surnovska as the ball fell to her from a corner 20 yards out and were duly punished as her shot flashed past Clark. Mikolajova doubled the lead nine minutes later with a magnificent swerving 25-yard free-kick after Wales’s defence creaked again.
Jess Fishlock was sent on from the bench after for the final 25 minutes following her recent injury problems, and the visitors improved dramatically upon her arrival. With time running out, Fishlock spotted Morgan’s unchecked run, and the Bristol City player took a touch before curling home a superb shot.
The winners of this semi-final tie are almost certain to face Republic of Ireland in a two-legged playoff final. Eileen Gleeson’s side took control of their tie against Georgia with a 6-0 victory in Tbilisi before the second leg in Dublin on Tuesday. Arsenal’s Katie McCabe scored twice, netting the opener from the penalty spot before scoring from 40 yards out, with Kyra Carusa and Jessica Stapleton also on target in the second half. Stoppage-time goals from Marissa Sheva and Aoife Mannion extended the visitors’ first-leg advantage even further.
Scotland will take a narrow advantage into their second leg at Easter Road, after Martha Thomas’ second-half strike earned a 1-0 win over Hungary in Budapest.
Thomas headed an early chance past the post from Lisa Evans’ cross, before Dora Zeller tested Scotland keeper Lee Gibson from the edge of the area. Lauren Brzykcy, making her debut in the Hungary goal, denied Caroline Weir three times in a goalless first-half at Bozsik Arena.
Zeller then missed a sitter for the hosts in the 56th minute, managing to miss the target from six yards from a terrific cross from Tottenham’s Anna Csiki. Hungary paid for that error within moments, with Csiki’s clubmate making the breakthrough. Thomas pounced to lash the ball into the roof of the net, after the home defence failed to deal with Nicola Docherty’s looping cross.
Pedro Martínez Losa’s side will be confident of completing the job next week, and will face either Finland or Montenegro in their playoff final if they progress – with Finland also 1-0 up after Friday’s away leg.
Elsewhere, Izabela Lojna scored a goal and an own goal as Croatia were held to a 1-1 draw by Northern Ireland in the first leg of their European Championship qualification first round playoff. Croatia started stronger in Varazdin and won an early penalty when Jackie Burns was punished for a clumsy challenge. Lojna converted her spot kick into the top left-hand corner to give the hosts the lead.
However, Tanya Oxtoby’s side responded well and they came close through Rebecca Holloway, whose shot from just inside the area after a well-worked move was blocked. Northern Ireland’s momentum was rewarded in second half added-time. Doris Bacic, the Croatia goalkeeper, conceded a corner off her initial save and, after a short corner, Casey Howe’s cross deflected off Lojna and into the net to earn the visitors a draw. The return takes place at Windsor Park on Tuesday.
