For Wales, the games just keep getting larger. To advance toward the World Cup and their first big competition, they defeated Bosnia in extra time. For the men’s team, Gareth Bale has frequently been the star, but it was another legendary Welsh player who now calls the United States home who broke down Bosnia’s tenacious defence to advance to the next round.
Tuesday’s match against Switzerland will be played in Zurich thanks to Jess Fishlock’s outstanding sweeping volley at the conclusion of first-half stoppage time in extra time. Fishlock is Wales’ most accomplished player, having twice won the Champions League and last week’s NWSL Shield with Seattle-based OL Reign, but her 35th goal on her 135th appearance may surpass all of them. In a celebratory sprint toward the midway line, Fishlock was followed closely by every outfield player, several of whom knee-slid on the ground in madness.
Fishlock described it as “a great moment that I never really believed I would witness in a Wales shirt.” The festivities were out of control. It is, in my opinion, both my greatest and most crucial goal for Wales.
‘Go over there and tell Rachel [Rowe] to whip it into the front post and I’ll go on the end of it,’ I recalled telling Haz [Angharad James]. Our lofted balls and them constantly making the first contact with the ball irritated me. Thank goodness they paid attention to me. Then a big smile appeared.
Wales had four goals disallowed in normal time, and it initially appeared as though their night would end in agony. However, they eventually triumphed when Fishlock converted Rowe’s free kick after being one of three players to have an attempt ruled offside.
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The 15,200 fans there endured their fair share of pain as Kayleigh Green was twice denied by the offside flag before substitutes Ffion Morgan and Fishlock had goals disallowed, but they still left with beaming smiles as Wales continues to break attendance records.
The winners of the other playoff second-round matchup will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs in New Zealand in February, while the two top-ranked playoff second-round winners will earn spots at the World Cup.
Gemma Grainger’s team was always the team that appeared to have the best chance of moving on to the next round, but Bosnia proved resilient and their goalkeeper, Almina Hodzic, made a number of excellent saves. The best of the bunch was an alert first-half stop that helped Ceri Holland’s powerful shot from a tight angle hit the crossbar before Angharad James saw the rebound blocked.
