8 October 2020

Cymru thwarted by clinical England

Ryan Giggs says his side must learn “not to switch off against good teams” as Cymru fell to their first defeat in more than fifteen months against England at Wembley.

Giggs made a number of changes from the team that beat Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League last month, with Rabbi Matondo earning his first Cymru start and Ben Davies captaining the side for the first time.

Cymru started on the front foot and were unlucky not to be ahead in the opening stages. The towering presence of Kieffer Moore proved to be a nuisance for the England defence. Moore’s best chance fell to him on the half volley, but the striker poked the ball wide after a misplaced clearance from Bukayo Sako.

After a fierce opening counter from Cymru, Dominic Calvert-Lewin replicated his club form on the international stage, scoring his first goal for England, heading in a cross from Jack Grealish on the right hand side.

Moore continued to threaten for Cymru, forcing Nick Pope into action on several occasions but Ryan Giggs lost his focal point just before half time as the forward was forced off with an injury.

England showed their class in the second half as they became clinical with their chances. Minutes into the half Connor Coady doubled England’s lead with a deft half volley from captain Kieran Trippier’s cross.

Cymru’s fifteen month unbeaten run finally ended as England hit with a third goal. A scramble in the box gave Danny Ings the opportunity to hit an overhead kick from six yards out, finding the roof of the net.

The things we worked on during the week we did well, but we learnt that if we switch off against good teams we get punished. Usually we’re really strong with the set pieces but unfortunately, we went to sleep on them tonight. It’s an area we’ll be looking to pick up on again.

Despite the defeat, captain Ben Davies says the side are already looking to bounce back. “We’ve been on a decent run and we want to restart that in the Nations League matches. Results like tonight are hard to take but we’re a young, confident team. The things that went wrong we can put right, especially for the competitive matches that are coming up.”

Cymru will now travel to Dublin as they prepare to face the Republic of Ireland on Sunday in the UEFA Nations League.

ENGLAND: 1. Nick Pope, 4. Joe Gomez (12. Tyrone Mings 58’), 5. Conor Coady, 6. Michael Keane, 2. Kieran Trippier (c) (14. Reece James 58’), 8. Kalvin Phillips, 7. Harry Winks (15. James Ward-Prowse 76’), 3. Bukayo Saka (18. Ainsley Maitland-Niles 76’), 10. Danny Ings, 11. Jack Grealish , (17. Harvey Barnes 76’), 9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin (16. Mason Mount 58’). 

Subs not used: 13. Jordan Henderson, 19. Marcus Rashford, 20. Trent Alexander-Arnold, 21. Harry Maguire, 22. Jordan Pickford, 23. Declan Rice

Goals: Dominic Calvert-Lewin 26’, Connor Coady 52’

CYMRU: 1. Wayne Hennessey, 4. Ben Davies (c), 6. Chris Mepham, 18. Joe Rodon (5. Ben Cabango 46’), 14. Connor Roberts (2. Chris Gunter 72’), 15. Ethan Ampadu (23. Will Vaulks 60’), 16. Joe Morrell (7. Dylan Levitt 46’), 8. Jonny Williams (19. Matt Smith 72’), 9. Tyler Roberts, 11. Rabbi Matondo, 13. Kieffer Moore (3. Neco Williams 39’). 

Subs not used:12. Danny Ward, 21. Adam Davies, 10. Brennan Johnson, 17. Rhys Norrington-Davies, 20. Dan James, 22. Ben Woodburn. 

Yellow cards: Connor Roberts 43’, Ethan Ampadu 57’, Dylan Levitt 61’