Wales 6-1 Montenegro - highlights as hosts ease to qualifier win

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport WalesParc y Scarlets

Hannah Cain and Mared Griffiths both scored twice as Wales hammered Montenegro 6-1 in Llanelli to claim a first victory in 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying.

Cain raced in behind Montenegro's defence to score the first of Wales' five first-half goals early on before squaring for Rachel Rowe to sweep home the second.

Goalkeeper Ajsa Kalac's fumble allowed teenager Griffiths to tap into an empty net before Sophie Ingle headed in from close range after a corner was not cleared.

Cain guided in from Lily Woodham's low cross to make it 5-0 at the break.

Montenegro's Armisa Kuc pulled a goal back early in the second half, but rising star Griffiths had the final say when she rounded Kalac to score Wales' sixth goal after latching on to Carrie Jones' through ball.

This was just a second victory in 15 internationals for Wales, and a first competitive triumph in 11 attempts since their historic Euro 2025 play-off final win over the Republic of Ireland in December 2024.

The success means Wales have made a sound start in their bid to build on their maiden European Championship appearance by reaching the World Cup for the first time, having begun their Group B1 campaign with a battling 2-2 draw in the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Wales players celebrate a Hannah Cain goal FAW

Wales are ranked 32nd in the world by Fifa, 52 places above Montenegro

Wales analysis: Griffiths shines as attack overpowers defence

Having salvaged a point despite an underwhelming performance against the Czechs, Wales anticipated a more comfortable afternoon at Parc y Scarlets – and they got one.

Montenegro, who were promoted from Nations League C last year, almost stunned Rhian Wilkinson's team inside the opening minute when Safia Middleton-Patel – one of four Wales changes following the midweek draw - took too long to clear.

The goalkeeper's attempted pass was blocked by Montenegro striker Medina Desic, who watched with head in hands as the ball ricocheted just wide of the post.

With that Wales assumed total control of a first half which for long periods resembled an attack-versus-defence training session – with the attackers well on top.

Leicester City forward Cain now has four goals in her past three internationals, while former captain Ingle has netted three in four for Wales having scored only six in 144 caps before that.

Mared Griffiths celebrates FAW

Mared Griffiths, who is on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United, celebrated her 19th birthday earlier this week

Given time and space in which to operate before the break, the likes of Cain – who also hit the post – Griffiths and Jones had a field day as Wales scored five times in the opening 35 minutes.

The story was different after the break, with Montenegro ensuring Wales' run without a clean sheet extended to 17 matches when Jasna Djokovic chipped a free-kick over the top and Kuc lobbed the advancing Middleton-Patel.

Montenegro made life considerably harder for Wales as they dropped deeper defensively, before Griffiths – who was making her first competitive Wales start - made it three goals in only six international appearances in some style.

While the failure to keep a clean sheet may leave something of a sour taste, head coach Wilkinson can be happy enough with the second biggest victory of her reign and four points from two qualifying games.