Wales secure famous draw against two-time World Champions Germany

Wales claimed a deserved and famous 0-0 draw in Swansea against two-time World Cup winners Germany.

The result may indicate that Wales were under the cosh throughout, but that wasn’t the case. Wales attacked and pressed at will, and Germany simply couldn’t contain them.

In a campaign that has been disappointing, a point in their final game will undoubtedly be a cause for hope and optimism going forward.

Gemma Grainger elected to make three changes from the side that lost to Iceland in Cardiff on Friday. Hayley Ladd, Ceri Holland, and Kayleigh Green all made way for Charlie Estcourt, Josie Green, and Elise Hughes.

There also seemed to be a shift in formation, with Wales setting up with five at the back.

For Germany, Alexandra Popp started the game up front. She wasn’t involved in reverse fixture in Sinsheim, and there was certainly a lot of eyes on the Wolfsburg star.

A quick glance at the world rankings would show you that Germany sit sixth and Wales 29^th. However, you wouldn’t be able to tell in the opening half hour.

Wales were not afraid to press the two-time World Champions and threatened throughout the early stages. Elise Hughes elected to pass in the box when the shot may have been the more appealing option, while Sophie Ingle tested Merle Frohms from a corner.

We went even closer a couple of minutes later. Again, winning the ball high up field, Wales worked it to Rachel Rowe, and her driving low shot cannoned off the post. It could have snuck in off the back of Frohms, but luckily for her, it bounced out for a corner.

Everything was looking chaotic and frantic from a German perspective, who looked sketchy every time the ball made its way back to the Wolfsburg goalkeeper.

The Welsh ranks showed a level of organisation that was to be admired. Everyone knew their jobs, and everyone knew where they fit into the system. This was turning into a good performance.

That said, Germany did grow into the game before the break. Jule Brand skipped into the box, but her pass across goal wasn’t converted by a green shirt. Before the half ended, Sarai Linder unleashed a shot that dipped just over the bar.

Overall, Wales looked strong, and were going toe-to-toe with a tremendously talented German team.

When playing an opposition like Germany, you know that, eventually, they will have a period of dominance at some stage, and they did at the beginning of the second half.

A flurry of corners and crosses came into the box, but Wales dealt with them well, something they hadn’t been doing throughout this campaign.

They were almost breached once though. A shot from the edge of the box from Elisa Senß took a deflection off Ingle, but Olivia Clark clawed the ball out magnificently before it got to nestle in the top corner.

Having now overcome a large wave of pressure, Wales ventured forward once more. Ceri Holland saw an opportunity to try her arm from distance, but her effort kept rising over the bar.

Germany knew a win would take them into the Nations League finals, but they were being frustrated by Wales. Linda Dallmann almost took matters into her own hands as weaved through into the box, but her shot went straight down Clark’s throat.

As the clock dwindled down, Wales were still looking to push, still looking for a dramatic and history making winner. At times, Germany looked powerless in stopping Wales pushing forward.

But the away side would hit back and push themselves in added time. Klara Bühl went close from a tight angle, but Clark pushed it round the post expertly.

The almighty Germany, however, couldn’t find a winner, and Wales held on for a famous 0-0 draw.

Player of the Match: Charlie Estcourt

So many good performances in red tonight, but Charlie Estcourt was phenomenal. Considering she plays in the Championship; she kept Champions League playing and Champions League winning wingers quiet. She stuck to her task expertly and, who knows, this could be the start of something for the Reading star.

Wales

Olivia Clark, Charlie Estcourt, Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans, Josie Green, Lily Woodham (Ella Powell 64’), Angharad James, Sophie Ingle ©, Rachel Rowe (Ceri Holland 65’), Elise Hughes (Kayleigh Green 78’), Jess Fishlock (Ffion Morgan 90’)

Unused Subs: Laura O’Sullivan, Safia Middleton-Patel, Alice Griffiths, Hayley Ladd, Mary McAteer, Megan Wynne

Germany

Merle Frohms, Paulina Krumbiegel (Giulia Gwinn 46’), Kathrin Hendrich (Lena Petermann 81’), Sara Doorsoun, Sarai Linder, Elisa Senß, Sjoeke Nüsken (Lena Lattwein 81’), Jule Brand (Nicole Anyomi 69’), Klara Bühl, Svenja Huth (Linda Dallmann 46), Alexandra Popp ©

Unused Subs: Ann-Katrin Berger, Stina Johannes, Sophia Kleinherne, Sydney Lohmann, Sara Däbritz, Lina Magull

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW)