Football fans across Wales were treated to a veritable feast of football this weekend, as Wales’ three biggest clubs were in action, as well as Wales women’s EURO 2025 play-off final, and the semi-finals of the Welsh League Cup!

Not to forget another round of the Adran Premier. If you missed any of action, Sportin Wales has you covered:

Biggest Game In Wales Women History in Dublin on Tuesday Night

Wales have the chance to qualify for a first major tournament in their history on Tuesday night, as a 1-1 draw over the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on Friday night only saw the pressure increase for Rhian Wilkinson’s side.

With both sides looking to win this two-legged tie and qualify for next summer’s EUROs in Switzerland, Wilkinson named an unchanged team from the one that successfully beat Slovakia in the play-off semi final.

After Ireland started the match the brighter, Wales found a grove and opened the scoring through left wingback Lily Woodham. Ceri Holland, Wales’ best player on the night, found Jess Fishlock down the right and the playmaker crossed for Woodham to finish smartly.

The lead did not last long for Wales, however, as 15 minutes later Ruesha Littlejohn’s 35-yard strike was tipped onto the bar by Wales ‘keeper Olivia Clark, only for the ball to rebound back into the net off Clark’s head.

The shock of such a freak goal stopped any Welsh momentum dead, and the home side went into the break level despite dominating for much of the first period.

The second half was a much cagier affair, with Clark atoning for her ‘error’ with a stunning late save to deny Caitlin Hayes’ volley from close range. Hayes herself was making up for a fluffed clearance that allowed Woodham to open the scoring.

With a record crowd of 16,845 at the Cardiff City Stadium, and another record attendance expected at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday evening, Wales have the chance to make some history and qualify for a major tournament.

Cardiff Denied By Late Penalty in Lampard’s First Match

Cardiff left the Coventry Building Society Stadium feeling aggrieved by a late penalty given to the home side was converted by Victor Torp to deny Omer Riza’s side a first win in five league matches.

Yakou Meite headed Cardiff into the lead after just four minutes, but Coventry hit back almost immediately through Ephron Mason-Clark’s first-time finish.

Coventry, who recently dismissed long-time manager Mark Robins, moved much faster than Cardiff in appointing a replacement, with England and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard taking charge at the earliest possible opportunity.

Cardiff, on the other hand, have now spent two months deciding who to hire as replacement for Erol Bulut, with Omer Riza initially looking the favourite after a good run of form.

However, with the Bluebirds failing to win their last five league matches, it seems less likely that Riza will be offered the job.

Three minutes after halftime, Alex Robertson restored Cardiff’s lead early in the second half with a superb swerving 25-yard drive.

Then with only two minutes left, referee James Bell penalised Bluebirds defender Calum Chambers for handball and Torp scored from the spot. It was a controversial decision which infuriated Cardiff, with Robertson and Jak Alnwick both booked for their protestations.

Swansea Comeback To Avoid Defeat

A Liam Cullen-inspired Swansea came back from 2-0 down to draw with bottom club Portsmouth, maintaining their place in the top half of the Championship.

Portsmouth looked on course for a second successive win – and just a third this season – after Matt Ritchie poked in his first goal for the club and Josh Murphy finished sharply from a tight angle.

But Swansea hauled themselves back into the contest just before half-time when Connor Ogilvie turned Cullen’s arcing cross into his own net.

Luke Williams’ team dominated the second period, deservedly levelling thanks to Cullen’s fourth goal in as many games for club and country after Myles Peart-Harris had hit the bar.

Swansea then missed a succession of chances to seal a comeback win – before Christian Saydee sliced wastefully wide at the other end.

“I love the players. I care about them enough to let them know that that’s wrong, the way they approached the first half,” said Williams.

“They did come roaring back into it. They got forward in numbers and made a lot of box entries. The moral of the story is don’t be two goals down. Today we should have scored four goals, we scored two.”

Wrexham Earn Hard-Fought Win

Wrexham kept a tight grip on second place in League One, thanks to a helping hand from Lincoln City defender Tendayi Darikwa, whose own goal was the difference at Cae Ras last Tuesday evening.

A goalless first half gave way to a more open second, and the defining moment of the match came on 67 minutes, as James McClean’s powerful low cross was diverted into the net by Darikwa.

As Wrexham continue to pick up results despite not hitting their best form, the chances of three teams from Wales in the Championship next season only increases.

TNS vs Aberystwyth: The Welsh League Cup Final!

The New Saints put European disappointment behind them to beat Barry Town 2-1 on Sunday, booking their place in the Welsh League Cup final against Aberystwyth.

A brace from Declan McManus built an unassailable lead for TNS, before a late Barry Town rally through skipper Kayne McLaggon threatened to upset the form book.

The day before, Aberystwyth made it through a tight semi-final with Cardiff City U21, drawing 1-1 in regular time, before winning 4-1 on penalties.

The two sides are at opposite ends of the Cymru Premier but when the two sides meet in the New Year, all bets will be off.

Elsewhere, there was just one Cymru Premier fixture this week, as Connah’s Quay beat Newtown 3-0, consigning the home side to five straight league matches without a win.

Results

Saturday

Coventry City 2-2 Cardiff City

Swansea City 2-2 Portsmouth

Newtown 0-3 Connah’s Quay

Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Cardiff City (Aberystwyth won 4-1 on penalties)

Sunday

Barry Town United 1-2 The New Saints

Adran Premier

Barry Town United 0-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel

Swansea City 3-1 Aberystwyth Town

Cardiff Met 1-2 The New Saints

Cardiff City 4-1 Wrexham

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