Wales players celebrate after going in front FAW

Wales are aiming to qualify for a second successive major championship having featured at Euro 2025

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport WalesLoro Borici Stadium, Shkoder

Wales moved a step closer to a first Women's World Cup as they held on for a fortuitous 1-0 win in their play-off semi-final first leg in Albania.

A first-half own goal from Ezmiralda Franja gave Wales a victory which means they will be warm favourites to progress in Tuesday's second leg in Llanelli.

Rhian Wilkinson's side will expect to complete the job on their own turf – although an improved performance may be required after an unconvincing display in Shkoder.

Albania are ranked 68th in the world, 37 places below Wales, yet the hosts could consider themselves unlucky to lose on a night when they created the better chances.

Despite their squad being depleted by a rash of injuries, Wales would have hoped for a better display – even if they finished up delighted with the result.

Victory extends Wales' unbeaten run to nine matches, equalling the nation's longest ever sequence without losing after they managed the same feat between November 2013 and August 2014.

If Wales avoid defeat once more on in midweek, they will progress to a two-legged play-off final against either Norway or Romania in December - and may then have to come through inter-confederation play-offs to secure a place at next summer's World Cup.

Understrength – but just about strong enough

Wales are without nine regular squad members in this international window as a result of injuries.

Liverpool midfielder Ceri Holland is perhaps the biggest loss, but Wilkinson was without a string of players who would have played a part against Albania.

With Holland, Ffion Morgan and Ella Powell all missing, Wilkinson opted to play attacking midfielder Mared Griffiths at right-wingback, while Cain - the leading goalscorer in her squad - was somewhat surprisingly left on the bench.

For all the absentees, Wales would have hoped for a better performance on a night when they had plenty of possession but lacked attacking threat and creaked defensively.

Their goal came from a Lily Woodham corner, with Rachel Rowe among a crowd of players competing for a touch in the area.

The ball ricocheted into the net and, after a VAR check found no issues, the unfortunate Franja was credited with the touch which ultimately gave Wales victory.

Highlights: Wales earn play-off first leg win in Albania

Yet Albania had chances to get back into the game, with Franja and the lively Fortesa Berisha denied by Safia Middleton-Patel before the break.

There was a mighty scare for Wales early in the second period when Berisha ran beyond Gemma Evans and drew another sharp stop from Middleton-Patel before rattling the rebound against the far post.

Megi Doci then found the target only to be denied by an offside flag as Wales wobbled.

Cain had a chance to release the pressure when she latched on to fellow substitute Scarlett Hill's pass but, with the angle tight, the Everton forward dragged her shot across the face.

Wales found some composure in the final quarter of the contest, though they were left breathing a sigh of relief again when Berisha slashed over the bar late on.

The long road to Brazil

Hannah Cain shoots wideFAW

Hannah Cain had one of a handful of Wales chances but dragged her shot wide

Wales topped their group – where they managed home and away victories against Albania – in this World Cup qualifying campaign.

But with no automatic route to the tournament available for countries in League B, Wilkinson's players must come through a challenging play-off process if they are to reach a second successive major championship.

Should they get over the line against Albania, a two-legged final – which is likely to be against Norway – awaits in December.

Wales would start as underdogs against the Norwegians and, even if they upset Gemma Grainger's side, a World Cup spot would not be guaranteed.

There will be eight European play-off winners, with seven progressing to the tournament and one – the lowest-ranked nation from the group stage of qualifying – going into inter-confederation play-offs next February.

That team could well be Wales, meaning it will be a while yet before they can begin planning for a World Cup debut.

In truth, they will need to be much better than this if they are to find a way to Brazil.

Player of the match

X. Ndoj
7.20
19 X. Ndoj
7.20
11 M. Doçi
7.00
7 F. Berisha
7.00
18 S. Begallo
7.00
9 V. Troka
7.00
5 A. Bajraktari
6.20
14 E. Franja
6.20
8 V. Levenaj
6.20
10 Q. Krasniqi
6.20
15 Gresa Berisha I
6.17
12 R. Spahiu
6.00
6 S. Maliqi
6.00
22 M. Metalla
5.80
21 A. Hilaj
5.60
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