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Highlights: Wales earn a win over Switzerland in their final game of 2025

Wales ended their 12-game winless run in notable fashion as Sophie Ingle, Hannah Cain and Lily Woodham struck in a 3-2 victory over Switzerland in a friendly in Jerez.

Ingle headed Wales into an early lead only for Aurelie Csillag to drill Euro 2025 quarter-finalists Switzerland level three minutes later.

But Cain restored Wales' advantage in style before half-time as she latched on to Ingle's quickly taken free-kick before lifting the ball high into the net from 20 yards.

Wales' third goal came in the opening 30 seconds of the second half, with Lily Woodham steering home at the far post with her first touch after coming off the bench.

Iman Beney's low shot gave Switzerland hope after a Welsh error 19 minutes from time, but Rhian Wilkinson's team held on for a first win since their Euro 2025 play-off triumph over the Republic of Ireland almost exactly a year ago.

The run without a victory was Wales' longest since their worst ever sequence, when they went 15 games without winning between 1997 and 2001.

But success against a Switzerland side ranked 24th in the world – eight places above Wales – is a welcome boost for Wilkinson's team as their focus shifts towards the start of 2027 World Cup qualifying in March.

Wales players celebrate Lily Woodham's goal Image source, FAW
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Wales had never beaten Switzerland in four previous meetings

Ffion Morgan and the recalled Ceri Holland each won 50th caps as part of a strong Welsh starting line-up, with Wilkinson sending out most of her big hitters in pursuit of a result.

The versatile Holland was typically influential before injury forced her off in the second half, with her volleyed cross leading to Wales' opener.

Viola Calligaris only succeeded in heading the ball upwards in her attempt to clear, leaving Ingle to head home from point-blank range.

Wales were undone too easily as Csillag beat goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel at the near post, yet they did not lose momentum.

Ingle's clever free-kick from deep in her own half sent Cain scampering in behind to score her fifth international goal, before half-time substitutes Woodham and Laura Hughes made an instant impact.

Debutant Hughes, the one-cap Australia international who has switched allegiances to Wales, was involved down the right before Woodham swept in from Cain's low cross.

Switzerland's second goal came as Wales tried and failed to play out from the back, with Manchester City teenager Beney finishing precisely from the edge of the area after Angharad James was unable to control Middleton-Patel's heavy pass.

But after Beney skewed another effort wide late on, Wales could celebrate a win which had been a long time coming.

Analysis: Timely triumph lifts Wales before World Cup qualifiers

Hannah Cain celebrates her goal Image source, FAW
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Wales had lost nine and drawn three games in 2025 before victory over Switzerland

Head coach Wilkinson argues that despite some dispiriting results, Wales have grown more this year than ever before.

Having led Wales to a first major championship in the summer, the former Canada international says standards must continue to rise if her team are to become tournament regulars, hence her willingness to play challenging friendlies.

Even if there were no points at stake, this success – the first in a friendly under Wilkinson – feels significant.

Having lost to a number of high-calibre sides in recent months, Wales have taken a scalp by registering a first victory in five attempts against Switzerland.

As a result, the pressure which comes with a winless sequence has eased just in time for the return of competitive football.

Wales begin their bid to reach Brazil with a trip to the Czech Republic and a home fixture against Montenegro in early March.

They will go into those games with increased confidence courtesy of this triumph, their first since the international retirement of Jess Fishlock.

Wilkinson has consistently described Fishlock as irreplaceable, and her squad are still readjusting to life without their greatest ever player.

But after this victory and Friday's encouraging draw against South Korea, new-look Wales can look forward with a little more belief on the back of a positive week in Spain.