Wales vs. Italy player ratings: Low scores as Wales slump to big defeat

Wales were defeated 4-1 by Italy in the Nations League, in what was their final game before Euro 2025.

Italy raced into a four-goal lead in the first half thanks to a Cristiana Girelli double, and a strike each for Elena Linari and Sofia Cantore. Wales did pull one back late on through a stunning hit by Jess Fishlock from 35 yards.

Here’s how we rate the performance of every Wales player who stepped out onto the pitch in Swansea.

WALES PLAYER RATINGS VS. ITALY

Olivia Clark: 5/10

Question marks will be raised over the way Clark rushed out to try and claim the ball for the first goal, however, we did see other bright parts of her game. Her shot stopping skills were great, especially when she denied Sofia Cantore twice. Hopefully she will be fine come Switzerland. Subbed off 45^th minute.

Josie Green: 4/10

Really not a good night for a normally resolute defence. Green struggled to contain Girelli in particular and vacated her position for the third goal. One night she and many other squad members will want to forget pretty quickly. Subbed off 77^th minute.

Hayley Ladd: 4/10

When Ladd plays in defence, it feels Wales are missing something in the middle of the park. Often, she rushed to drop into midfield, but that left gaps in behind that Italy looked to exploit on a regular basis.

Gemma Evans: 4/10

Normally so reliable in the air, Evans was sub-par when it came to defending crosses. When it came to ground defence, she did well and managed to make some crucial tackles, but the set pieces will play on the minds of the defence.

Wales fall to disappointing defeat in final game before Euro 2025

Ceri Holland: 7/10

If Wales are to be successful against their Euro 2025 opponents, Holland has to be the outlet every single time. It’s that simple. Teams fear the Liverpool midfielder because of her directness and resilience, and she is certainly our danger player heading into the summer.

Angharad James: 5/10

James wasn’t at her best, but it wasn’t entirely her fault. The setup before the game was wrong, and against such a strong Italian midfield trio, it felt like Wilknson had to match them, but ultimately didn’t, and that hampered the captain.

Alice Griffiths: 5/10

A very similar story for Griffiths. With James playing in a more advanced midfield role, Griffiths had a lot to do in playing that holding role on her own, and she got through a lot of running. Subbed off 77^th minute.

Lily Woodham: 4/10

All campaign long we’ve always said that, going forward, Woodham is excellent, but Tuesday night exposed her defensive flaws. Cantore and Elisabetta Oliviero had so much success down that side of the pitch because of Woodham’s wanting to push forward.

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Rachel Rowe: 4/10

At times, you could see what Rowe was trying to do. Some tidy passes in behind to find the likes of Holland and Cain were done well, but at other times, she really struggled to make an impact on the game. However, Rowe is someone who should be utilised and targeted a lot more. Subbed off 77^th minute.

Hannah Cain: 4/10

Cain was so isolated in the first half. The Italian defence did not have to be at their best to contain her, with Wales’ lump it forward attitude not paying off. In the second half, playing alongside Hughes, Cain looked better, but it was a performance to forget.

Carrie Jones: 4/10

Jones was the first one to be subbed off in Swansea, and that was perhaps a bit of a harsh decision. At times she was caught in two minds, and that forced her to come deep to try and make things happen, but she wasn’t the worst Welsh player in the first half. Subbed off 46^th minute.

Safia Middleton-Patel: 5/10

Subbed on 45^th minute. Obviously picking the ball out of her own net was not the first thing Middleton-Patel would have wanted to do, but after that, she performed well. She’s very comfortable with the ball at her feet, and she linked up well with the backline.

Elise Hughes: 5/10

Subbed on 46^th minute. Played in a front two alongside Cain and tested the Italy defence with her physicality and link up play. Didn’t have as many shots on goal as she would have liked, but a few positive takeaways for the Crystal Palace striker.

Lois Joel: 5/10

Subbed on 77^th minute. Coming on and playing in an unfamiliar position, Joel looked assured and composed in her 15-minute cameo. She has proven that she is very versatile, and that will certainly help Wilkinson in Switzerland you feel.

Jess Fishlock: 6/10

Subbed on 77^th minute. It’s becoming a real struggle to think of something new to say about Fishlock. That strike showed just how capable she is of producing a bit of magic out of nowhere, and even if she doesn’t start, she is a capable of turning a game in the blink of an eye.

Esther Morgan: 5/10

Subbed on 77^th minute. Coming on as a defender when you’re 4-0 must be a bit of an arduous task, but Morgan did well in her brief appearance. Looked to push the ball up field quickly and made some good runs.

Rhian Wilkinson: 4/10

Tactically, I think Wilkinson got it wrong. The midfield often looked overrun and Italy were allowed too much space. On the wings, the cover didn’t come across quickly enough and that allowed the Italians to pepper Wales with crosses. Yes, the second half was better, but it also couldn’t be any worse than that first half.

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)