A Rachel Rowe worldie helps Cymru to a draw against Portugal

A stunner from Rachel Rowe helped Cymru to a solid 1-1 draw away in Portugal.

Cymru had initially gone behind after Telma Encarnação broke the deadlock early in the second half, but Rowe’s stunning volley secured the draw.

After Cymru’s 4-1 win over Northern Ireland last Thursday, Gemma Grainger made no changes to the starting eleven heading into this one, meaning Liv Clark stayed in goal, while Hannah Cain led the frontline.

Portugal elected to make eleven changes from their defeat to Japan on Friday, and the rustiness was on show early on.

Slack passes gave Cymru a lot of confidence and they penned Portugal in for the opening 15 minutes of the game, but the best chance came from Rhiannon Roberts. Her audacious attempt from 30-yards did go over the bar, but it was a sign of how positive Cymru had begun.

Portugal are a team who like to keep possession, and they built their way back into the game after a poor start. Ana Rute with 25-yard strike which cannoned against the bar, a warning sign for the Cymru defence.

Keeper Patrícia Morais then went route one with her clearance and found the run of Telma Encarnação, who snuck round the defence, but Gemma Evans made a goal saving tackle to deny her.

It was a stop/start game with many of the Portuguese players going down with head injuries, but there was also a sign of aggression from Cymru, a side we haven’t seen much of under Grainger’s tenure.

Going into the break, Cymru could be pleased with how the first half went.

Despite a good half, Cymru would find themselves on the back foot five minutes into the second half, as Portugal broke the deadlock.

Kika Nazareth played a ball out wide to Encarnação, and she made her way back inside before unleashing a powerful effort into the bottom corner.

Against Northern Ireland the attack at times was free flowing. This time, when they got into the final third, there were moments of dither and delay, no options in a red shirt available at times.

Cymru had to take a chance, and Jess Fishlock had a shot from range, but it was straight down Morais’ throat, but it was an encouraging sign for Cymru in what had so far been a quiet half for Grainger’s side.

The quietness soon turned into euphoria as Cymru equalised in spectacular fashion. An Angharad James corner wasn’t cleared by Portugal and the ball dropped to Rachel Rowe on the edge of the box, and she produced a jaw dropping volley that nestled into the bottom corner. It was game on.

The equaliser did bring a calm to Cymru’s game. Portugal did look to seek the initiative, but they couldn’t create anything of note.

The only blemish for the visitors was a late red card to captain Sophie Ingle for a second bookable offence. It could have gotten worse with 30 seconds to go, as Ana Dias’ effort struck the outside of the post, but Cymru held out for a good draw.

Player of the Match: Rachel Rowe

Who else could it be? A superb goal and now that she’s moved further up the pitch, we’re seeing a different side to her on an international level. Good movement, not afraid to take on the defender, and yet again a solid performance.

Cymru

Liv Clark (GK), Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Esther Morgan, Sophie Ingle ©, Angharad James, Jess Fishlock, Ceri Holland, Hannah Cain, Rachel Rowe (Ffion Morgan, 86’)

Unused Subs: Laura O’Sullivan, Safia Middleton-Patel, Chloe Williams, Josie Green, Georgia Walters, Elise Hughes, Charlie Estcourt, Ella Powell, Meg Wynne, Alice Griffiths, Anna Filbey

Goals: Rachel Rowe (73’)

Yellow Cards: Sophie Ingle (40’)

Red Cards: Sophie Ingle (90’)

Portugal

Patrícia Morais (GK), Catarina Amado, Sílvia Rebelo ©, Diana Gomes, Lúcia Alves (Ana Borges, 30’), Fátima Pinto, Andreia Norton (Vanessa Marques, 67’), Ana Rute (Tatiana Pinto, 57’), Kika Nazareth (Diana Silva, 73’), Telma Encarnação (Ana Dias, 67’), Carolina Mendes (Jéssica Silva, 57’)

Unused Subs: Inês Pereira, Rute Costa, Joana Marchão, Andreia Jacinto, Dolores Silva, Carole Costa, Ana Sica, Ana Capeta

Goals: Telma Encarnação (50’)

Yellow Cards: Fátima Pinto (89’)

Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell