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Natasha Harding strike sees Wales make it two from two in World Cup qualifying after victory over Estonia

Estonia frustrated Wales for much of the evening but an early breakthrough from Harding was enough to claim all three points

Wales' Natasha Harding(Image: PA Wire)

Wales’ women made it two wins from two in their World Cup qualifying campaign, beating Estonia 1-0 at the Pärnu Rannastaadion.

Gemma Grainger’s side got off to an incredible fast start and Estonia's Kelly Rosen hit the crossbar from a corner inside two minutes after Rachel Rowe’s effort was deflected behind.


Rhiannon Roberts then missed another opportunity from a corner moments later but Wales then broke the deadlock after their early onslaught.


It took just four minutes to come as Natasha Harding latched onto a beautifully-weighted through ball from Jess Fishlock and slotted it into the bottom left-hand corner.

Wales continued to dominate throughout the first half and Gemma Evans saw her header cleared off the line but the hosts had sured up defensively after starting slowly.

Kayleigh Green thought she’d doubled the lead six minutes from the break but was flagged for being well offside and, despite their dominance, Wales led by just one at half time.

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Estonia defended well in the second period but Wales did have their chances.

Sophie Ingle dragged a shot wide from inside the box 10 minutes into the half and Green saw a powerful header beat the goalkeeper and then the post.

Frustration started to set in for the visitors in the final third but Estonia continued to offer very little with the ball as the half wore on.


Wales continued to hoist balls into attacking positions as the game wore on, with Fishlock and Rowe having more attempts on goal.

But, in the end, Grainger’s side would have to be content with a one-goal victory and three points in the bag.

Estonia: Gork; Lillemae, Uleksin, Raamet, Zlidnis; Merisalu, Ounpuu, Rosen, Kubassova, Bannikova, Tammik.

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Wales: O’Sullivan; Roberts, Ladd, Evans, Rowe; James, Harding Ingle, Fishlock, Holland; Green.

READ MORE: Wales Women 6-0 Kazakhstan: Kayleigh Green double helps get World Cup qualifying campaign off to flying startREAD MORE: Wales Women ready to challenge for 2023 World Cup spot with renewed focus and belief
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