Gemma Evans celebrates her goal Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Gemma Evans' goal was just her second in 90 appearances for Wales

ByGareth Vincent
BBC Sport WalesAtCardiff City Stadium

Wales boosted their chances of reaching next year's Women's World Cup by clinching top spot in their group with a deserved victory over the Czech Republic in Cardiff.

On a night when only a win would do for Wales, they made a worrying start as Michaela Khyrova stroked the Czechs into a fifth-minute lead.

But Rhian Wilkinson's side swiftly levelled as Lily Woodham drove home from 15 yards, and they went ahead early in the second period when Gemma Evans headed home from Ceri Holland's free-kick.

Holland then claimed a second assist of the evening as her powerful run and precise cross allowed Mared Griffiths to steer home from point-blank range.

Wales' win meant they leapfrogged their opponents to finish first in Group B1, which should mean a more favourable path in the play-offs later this year.

Wilkinson's players must now come through two European play-off ties - and could also face an inter-confederation play-off after that - as they attempt to reach the Women's World Cup for the first time.

The draw for the first two play-off rounds takes place on 24 June, with Wales' triumph against the Czechs meaning they will avoid League A opposition at the semi-final stage and that they will play their second leg of that tie at home.

Wales' success in the group phase also means they will be back in League A in the 2027 Nations League.

Analysis: Wales pass their test with flying colours

Mared Griffiths celebrates Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Mared Griffiths has four goals in just 10 Wales games

Wales finish the group unbeaten despite failing to produce their best levels in any of their three away fixtures.

Their two previous home games had brought comprehensive wins over Montenegro and Albania, but a meeting with the Czech Republic – who are only a place below Wales in the world rankings – meant a far sterner examination.

To their credit, Wales passed the test with flying colours, despite the shock of falling behind in desperate fashion when Czech goalkeeper Olivie Lukasova's long ball forward sailed over centre-back Mayzee Davies' head and opened the home side up.

After Evans and Rhiannon Roberts failed in their attempts to plug the gap at the heart of the home rearguard, Khyrova accepted the invitation to sweep the ball beyond a helpless Safia Middleton-Patel.

This was the biggest fixture Wales have faced since the international retirement of star player Jess Fishlock last October, with Wilkinson needing others to step up with the stakes high.

They did just that, with the likes of Holland and Evans producing stand-out performances as Wales produced their most impressive performance of this campaign.

Sophie Ingle squared for the unmarked Woodham to mark her 50th cap with a sharp finish from 15 yards.

The hosts had the the better of it from that point, though the Czechs almost regained the lead just before the break when Katerina Kotrcova's shot struck the post.

Wales claimed the lead they deserved when centre-back Evans headed in after Lukasova came off her line in a failed attempt to claim Holland's floated free-kick.

Holland's blend of energy and quality produced Wales' third goal, with Griffiths on hand to wipe out any prospect of a Czech revival.

Substitute Sabina Strizova rattled Middleton-Patel's crossbar in added time, but by then Wales' job was done.

Player of the match

Number: 7 C. Holland
Average rating 9.00
Number: 7 C. Holland
Average Rating: 9.00
Number: 10 M. Griffiths
Average Rating: 8.80
Number: 21 S. Middleton-Patel
Average Rating: 8.57
Number: 3 G. Evans
Average Rating: 8.25
Number: 11 H. Cain
Average Rating: 8.25
Number: 9 E. Hughes
Average Rating: 8.25
Number: 20 C. Jones
Average Rating: 8.20
Number: 2 L. Woodham
Average Rating: 8.00
Number: 8 A. James-Turner
Average Rating: 8.00
Number: 5 R. Roberts
Average Rating: 7.75
Number: 4 S. Ingle
Average Rating: 7.75
Number: 15 M. Ross
Average Rating: 7.75
Number: 22 L. Hughes
Average Rating: 7.67
Number: 23 F. Morgan
Average Rating: 7.67
Number: 6 M. Davies
Average Rating: 7.50
Number: 13 R. Rowe
Average Rating: 7.00

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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