Hannah Cain scored twice as Wales continued their positive start to Women’s World Cup qualifying with a 4-0 victory over Albania in Wrexham.
Cain steered Wales in front early on before Elise Hughes’ close-range strike doubled the home side’s lead before half-time.
Albania never looked like mustering a response, with any hope of a comeback wiped out early in the second period as Rhiannon Roberts headed in a third for dominant Wales.
Cain then guided home her second goal of the night – and the sixth in her past four internationals – as Wales cruised to a comprehensive win.
Wales’ second successive victory means they have seven points on the board at the halfway point of the group phase as they bid to reach a first Women’s World Cup.
Rhian Wilkinson’s team have been knocked off top spot in Group B1 thanks to Czech Republic’s 5-0 win over Montenegro.
The Czechs, who lead the way courtesy of away goals scored, are expected to be Wales’ main rivals to finish first in the group, which would mean a favourable path to the 2027 tournament in Brazil come the play-offs later this year.
With the sides who are level on points separated initially by head-to-head records, it may well be that top spot will be decided when Wales host the Czech Republic in their final group game in June.
Until then, the task for Wales is to simply keep pace with the Czechs, meaning their job was done at Stok Cae Ras.
