Fishlock Scores, but Wales Comes Up Short in Euro Qualifier
OL Reign’s Jess Fishlock featured for the Wales national team during the most recent FIFA international break, scoring a late goal in a 3-0 win against Belarus on Tuesday, December 1. The Welsh team came up short in the Group C final standings, however, marking their elimination from the 2022 UEFA Women’s Championship.
Fishlock made her fourth consecutive start for her country, assisting on Reading FC teammate Natasha Harding’s opening goal in the 15th minute. The midfielder added her goal from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, rounding out the scoring in a convincing victory.
Wales (4-2-2, 14 points) finished third in Group C after Norway (6-0-0, 18 points) and Northern Ireland (4-2-2, 14 points), who finished out their group stage schedule with a 5-1 win over the Faroe Islands. Northern Ireland’s qualification came down to the fourth tiebreaker—away goals in head-to-head matches amongst tied teams—thanks to a 2-2 draw against Wales on September 3, 2019.
Fishlock will now return to Reading FC, where she has been playing on loan since August 19. The midfielder will return to OL Reign ahead of the 2021 NWSL season.
Upcoming Matches Involving OL Reign Players
Le Havre vs. Olympique Lyonnais (Celia Jiménez Delgado) – Stade Océane, Le Havre, France – Saturday, December 5, 5:30 a.m. PT
Bordeaux (Darian Jenkins) vs. ASJ Soyaux – Stade Sainte-Germaine, Le-Bouscat, France – Saturday, December 5, 5:30 a.m. PT
Reading FC (Jess Fishlock) vs. Bristol City FC – Madejski Stadium, Reading, England – Sunday, December 6, 6:00 a.m. PT