Hannah Cain and Mared Griffiths each scored twice as Wales delivered an emphatic 6–1 victory over Montenegro in Llanelli to secure their first win of the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Wales were in complete control at Parc y Scarlets, racing into a five-goal lead before half-time through a relentless attacking display.
Cain set the tone early, bursting through Montenegro’s defence to open the scoring before turning provider moments later.
The Leicester City forward squared the ball for Rachel Rowe, who calmly finished to double the lead.
Montenegro goalkeeper Ajsa Kalac then endured a difficult moment as she fumbled a routine ball, allowing teenage forward Griffiths to tap into an empty net.
Wales continued to press and made it four when Sophie Ingle headed home from close range after a corner was not properly cleared.
Cain grabbed her second before the interval, guiding Lily Woodham’s low cross into the net to cap a devastating first-half performance that left Wales 5–0 ahead.
Montenegro managed a response shortly after the break when Armisa Kuc pulled a goal back, lobbing Safia Middleton-Patel after Jasna Djokovic’s clever chipped free-kick caught the Wales defence off guard.
Despite the setback, Wales regained their rhythm as the half progressed.
Griffiths had the final say, rounding Kalac after collecting a well-weighted through ball from Carrie Jones before slotting in her second goal of the afternoon.
The result marks just Wales’ second victory in 15 internationals and their first competitive win since their historic Euro 2025 play-off final triumph over the Republic of Ireland in December 2024.
After rescuing a point in a 2–2 draw away to the Czech Republic earlier in the week, Rhian Wilkinson’s side produced a far more convincing display in front of home supporters.
Montenegro nearly shocked Wales inside the opening minute when goalkeeper Middleton-Patel hesitated while clearing the ball, allowing striker Medina Desic to block her pass.
Fortunately for the hosts, the rebound rolled just wide of the post.
From that point, however, the match quickly became one-sided. With space and time in the final third, Wales’ attacking players thrived.
Cain struck the post in addition to her two goals, while Griffiths and Jones caused constant problems for the visitors’ defence.
Cain’s brace means she now has four goals in her last three international appearances, while former captain Ingle continues her recent scoring run with three goals in her last four matches for Wales.
The only frustration for Wilkinson will be Wales’ ongoing defensive record, as Montenegro’s goal extended their run without a clean sheet to 17 matches.
Still, with four points from their opening two qualifying fixtures and the second biggest win of Wilkinson’s tenure, Wales have made a promising start in their bid to reach their first ever Women’s World Cup.
