Wales pulled off another scalp by earning a hard fought 1-1 draw with Sweden in Gothenburg last night.

Against a Sweden side packed with experience league-winning players, Wales were dogged and determined, winning a second point in their Nations League group.

With a first European Championship coming in the summer, this Nations League group – with Sweden, Denmark, and Italy – has proved to be the perfect preparation for Rhian Wilkinson’s side.

After tight losses in Italy (1-0) and at home to Denmark (1-2), Wales have drawn twice with Olympic silver medallists Sweden and shown themselves ready to compete with the biggest European nations.

Wales are in a ‘group of death’ at this summer’s EUROs, with England and Netherlands – winners of the last two EURO tournaments – as well as France standing in their way.

‘Like a mini Euros’

Hannah Cain, whose well taken goal levelled the match last night, is confident that Wales are now ‘up there’ with those so-called bigger nations.

“It is almost like a mini EUROs for us, the teams that we are playing in every single camp are amazing, they are so strong and we are showing we can compete with them and get performances,” she told BBC Sport Wales.

“We are up there with those sides now.”

Cain’s side were missing a number of key players going into this match. Former captain and centurion Sophie Ingle has been out with an ACL for almost a year now, while key attackers Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton also missed this camp.

Add in the shin injury that Ceri Holland suffered in the previous match with Denmark, and Wales were shorn off four of their most experienced players.

“We’ve not really been in this position before where we can still put in a top, top performance despite missing such massive players,” Cain added.

“They play a key role and we are missing them. Maybe if those four players had been here tonight we could have got the three points, but we still put in a top performance and hopefully they will be proud of us too.”

Young Players Stepping Up

Rhian Wilkinson spoke prior to April’s two fixtures that she would use the absentees as a chance to give opportunities to younger players, with a number of fringe members of the squad stepping up.

Safia Middleton-Patel, Manchester United’s second choice goalkeeper, won the player of the match award against Sweden last night, pulling off a number of excellent saves to keep Wales in the game.

With Olivia Clark and Middleton-Patel both in the early stages of their careers, Wales now have two high-quality goalkeepers to choose from. Not a bad position to be in.

“It was unreal. I think it was one of our best performances. We showed everyone what we are about, we aren’t just underdogs, we are here to play,” Middleton-Patel told BBC Sport Wales.

“I am over the moon. The team have put me in this position. It doesn’t feel like my third cap, I feel like I’ve been here for years.

“Personally for me, it was one of the best games I’ve played. I will leave my phone turned off for a bit and let everything sink in I think.”

Elsewhere, defender Esther Morgan started her first international game for 639 days, and looked assured against a lethal Swedish attack, while striker Elise Hughes made her first start for club or country in over a year after having ACL surgery.

Squad regulars Ffion Morgan, Charlie Estcourt, Lily Woodham, Carrie Jones, Ella Powell, and Mayzee Davies have all grown under Wilkinson’s stewardship and have looked ready to take on the best in the world in recent matches.

Wilkinson’s ‘Pride’

Since beating the Republic of Ireland to qualify for EURO 2025, manager Wilkinson has spoken often about using these Nations League matches to develop and learn about her side against the very best in European international football.

With close matches against three established nations now, Wilkinson has expressed her pride in the steps that her side has taken.

“That was a fantastic performance. In possession we had good stretches of the game,” she said.

“In football you have to ride your luck and they [Sweden] came close a couple of times but the way this team never quits, the way they stick in it to get a tie against Sweden away is a phenomenal moment and something we can build on.

“No matter who we put on, no matter what role I ask them to play, they give everything. It’s not always perfect and I don’t ask for perfection. That’s what I want the Welsh public to be proud of, that this team is putting on performances for them.”

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