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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Katie Sands

Wales and Liverpool star scores brilliant nutmeg goal at her own wedding in white dress after joining guests for kickabout

What better way to celebrate getting married after three attempts than a game of football, ey?

Well, when you're a Wales and Liverpool star, it's the perfect way.

Welsh defender Rhiannon Roberts, 31, finally tied the knot with partner Nathan Rooney at the weekend after having their nuptial plans scuppered multiple times due to Covid.

But Roberts, a fearless player who is a cornerstone of Wales Women's defence, finally got the big day she had been waiting for at the gorgeous Lancashire venue of Mitton Hall.

So, what footballer's wedding would be complete without a kickabout on the lawn? The guests were split up into men versus women, with the latter including Roberts' promotion-winning Liverpool team-mates dressed in their wedding finery.

Roberts - affectionately referred to as Razza - showed them who it's done, too, not letting her flowing, stunning wedding dress get in the way as she controlled the ball with ease to find the net at her own wedding with a superb nutmeg goal to prompt jubilant celebrations.

"How weddings should be," Roberts said on Instagram.

After the long-awaited ceremony, Roberts said: "On behalf of my husband and I, we would like to thank everyone who came to celebrate with us and for all kind messages and gifts.

"After three times of trying we had the most amazing day. We can’t wait to start married life together and to see what the future holds. Love Mr & Mrs Rooney".

Their wedding was first cancelled in March 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, with another called off in 2021. But they finally got there and the couple are now enjoying a honeymoon in Rome.

It's been a busy few weeks of celebrating for Roberts, who got hitched just a few days after Liverpool men's and women's teams' epic parade of the city to cap off their respective seasons. Liverpool Women won the Championship to earn promotion back into the top-flight Women's Super League after a two-year absence, having dropping down when the first Covid-impacted season was cut short. Jurgen Klopp's men, of course, were denied a seventh European cup as Real Madrid won the 2022 Champions League but they had title wins in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup to mark.

Roberts - a fan favourite who would run through a brick wall for her team - said of the parade on Sunday, May 29: "A day I will never forget with the best people! Thank you Liverpool!"

The qualified PE teacher joined the Reds in July 2018 after helping Doncaster Rovers Belles to a title in WSL2, and signed a new contract in May 2021.

For now, Roberts has time to enjoy a short honeymoon with her now husband Nathan before returning to Wales duties.

Gemma Grainger's Wales side face New Zealand in a friendly in Spain on Tuesday, June 28, to prepare for their final two World Cup qualifiers in September. Wales currently lay in second place in their group, behind the French, and look well-placed to claim a play-off spot for the finals in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. If successful in qualifying, it would mark the first appearance at a major tournament.

Wales are away to Greece on Friday, September 2, before hosting Slovenia at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, September 6 (7.15pm kick-off) in their last qualifier. Their last match at the ground attracted a record attendance of 5,455 and football bosses will be hoping to surpass that record again.

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