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A brisk February evening didn't deter the 6,077 fans who gathered at SToK Cae Ras, Wrecsam, for Cymru's first game on home soil since they qualified for the 2025 European Championship.
The cold air buzzed with excitement and hope as supporters came out in force to support our beloved team.
The historic qualification for their first-ever major tournament has sparked unsurprising support across the nation, with attendance records being broken game after game, and this fixture becoming the most well-attended game for Cymru outside of Cardiff. This night was not just about football, it was driven by pride and belief for what the future holds for Cymru.
It was no secret that this clash against Sweden was going to be one of our toughest opponents yet. Players and fans alike knew this wouldn't be an easy task with Sweden likely to push Cymru to their limits, testing them at every turn, and searching for weaknesses they could exploit to secure the win. But Rhian Wilkinson’s side stood tall and held their own until the final whistle, claiming a hard-earned point in their second game of this Nation's League competition.
Wrapped in scarves and draped in flags, fans came prepared to support their team. From the moment the girls stepped on the pitch, horns blared, and chants echoed as fans rallied behind them to create an electric atmosphere as Cymru took on one of the world's most formidable footballing nations.
The crowd's support withstood every test we saw on the pitch, carrying the team through their highs and lows.
Cymru started strong, with Carrie Jones, Ceri Holland and Ella Powell all making promising attacks in the opening 10 minutes. Cymru looked confident on the ball, comfortable in possession and threatening in attack, a world away from their opening minutes against Italy the week before.
But the early momentum was cut short in the 14th minute.
A calculated Swedish attack saw as Angeldahl finding the back of the net after Olivia Clark parried an initial cross from Matilda Vinberg, a cross intending to find Stina Blackstenius, only found the arms of Clark.
A split second of dwelling on the scoreline passed before Cymru fans restarted their 'WAAALES' chants, showing their unwavering support, willing their team to respond.
Beyond Angeldahl's goal, the first half was uneventful, with both teams battling to maintain the pressure on their opposition.
Gerhardsson's side pressed on in the second half, inspired by their half-time team talk, with Blackstenius looking more threatening than ever. The Arsenal forward's pace and precision opened a number of chances that she will no doubt be disappointed to have not converted, including the shot she sent wide in the 54th minute.
Even in the 71st minute, Blackstenius was 1v1 with Olivia Clark, taking a shot that looked set to send the net rippling, but by some miracle it came off the post. It felt like the post was Cymru's unofficial 12th player, denying Sweden of yet another chance to double their lead.
Cymru didn't back down. Kayleigh Barton set Ceri Holland up for what would have been a spectacular goal, shaking off FOUR Sweden players to find space to take her shot, but too much power behind the ball sent it over the crossbar in the 58th minute.
The 74th minute. The moment the game opened up for Cymru. After a handball from Kullberg, Cymru were awarded a penalty.
Silence fell across the SToK Cae Ras ground as Barton stepped up to the mark. Fans turned away, covering their eyes, barely able to watch. Barton however, remained calm and composed as she effortlessly slotted the ball behind Falk, drawing the score level, keeping Cymru in the game.
The home crowd erupted, the roaring cheers of support and passion pouring out of fans old and new, making sure the Cymru team knew they had our support every step of the way.
Perhaps Sweden had underestimated the dedication and determination fuelling Cymru throughout the game, as Cymru's equaliser had Sweden looking uncomfortable. So much so, just three minutes later, Cymru almost cinched the lead with a thunderous shot on target from Holland, but Falk reacted quickly to deny the goal.
Both teams fought through to the dying minutes of the game, both teams pushing for a winning goal, but the points were shared as we reached full time.
The final whistle blew to a chorus of cheers and the echo of Dafydd Iwan's 'Yma o Hyd', as players and fans alike celebrated an extraordinary result. For Wales, holding Sweden to a draw isn’t just a point earned — it’s a statement of intent. Cymru went head-to-head with one of the best teams in the world and held their own. Cymru proved why they are worthy of returning to League A.
Cymru are building something special. They are set to climb the rankings, growing in confidence and proving they belong among the top competitors. As work continues in preparation for upcoming Nation's League fixtures and the Euros 2025, Cymru are proving that they are not just the underdogs but are true contenders.
If you want to be part of Cymru’s journey, tickets are still available for their next game at Cardiff City Stadium, where they take on Denmark. Be there to witness a team that refuses to back down, a team that is, quite simply, here to stay.