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Rhian Wilkinson's Wales side are unbeaten in six matches Rhian Wilkinson was pleased to see Wales grind out victory despite a below-par performance in their Women's World Cup qualifier in Albania. Wales were short of their best against opponents they had thrashed 4-0 in Wrexham last Tuesday. But on a nervy night in Elbasan, Rhiannon Roberts scored the only goal as Wales battled to keep their bid to reach Brazil 2027 on track. "Today was a hard day, " said Wales head coach Wilkinson. "I think we struggled in moments of the game, but I am really pleased that we found a way to win. "I think that is the mark of a good team, that on off-days – and today was an off-day – we managed to figure out a way to get three points. " Wales' scrappy triumph means they remain second in Group B1, behind the Czech Republic – who were 4-1 winners against Montenegro earlier on Saturday – on goal difference. Wilkinson's side go to Montenegro in their next qualifying game on Saturday, 5 June before finishing the group phase against the Czechs in Cardiff four days later. Wales hold on for scrappy victory in Albania The girl from Barry who grew up to be world class The likelihood is that the battle to finish top of the group – and therefore secure a more favourable path in the play-offs later this year – will come down to the final game. "It is a hard group, " Wilkinson added. "We have to make sure we show up in every game and I think we learned that today, that there are no gimmes, no givens in this group. "We have got to make sure we earn the three points. " Roberts' first-half strike – which Albania felt should have been disallowed for handball – settled a contest in which Wales laboured in possession for long spells. There were defensive scares too, with the home side twice striking the woodwork. Wilkinson said Albania deserved "huge credit" for giving Wales a far sterner challenge than they had faced in the reverse fixture. "They executed their game-plan fantastically well and made life very difficult for us, " she added. "They played a sitting five who didn't jump out as much. The midfield were the ones jumping out which gave us different types of spaces that took us a bit too long to figure out. "In general I think there were a lot of similarities [to last Tuesday's game], but we just weren't as sharp. " Wild celebrations to verge of tears - time running out for Spurs Cunha gives Man Utd win at Chelsea to boost Champions League hopes Howe's biggest Newcastle challenge yet as questions grow on his future 31-0: International football's biggest ever defeat Preview the new drama from the creator of Baby Reindeer Join Tyler West and Alfie Watts on a Race Across the World debrief Lucy Punch stars as ‘alpha mum’ Amanda Wild celebrations to verge of tears - time running out for Spurs How Hampton's heroics bailed out Lionesses in win against Iceland Howe's biggest Newcastle challenge yet as questions grow on his future Iraola bowing out in style - where will he go next? How Coventry earned Premier League return after 25 years Crucible pays tribute to John Virgo at World Championship. Video Crucible pays tribute to John Virgo at World Championship 'Rusty' to 'relentless' - Red Roses deliver statement win 'Mums thank me for changing the narrative': How motherhood in rugby has evolved One of Arsenal's greatest unsung heroes - Keown's tribute to Manninger Nobody says who called first, but Arteta and Guardiola speak again - Balague What it's really like to try to make it to F1 What does the Saudi Arabia PIF's change in approach mean for Newcastle? Is this the beginning of the end for LIV Golf? A big topic for others, not for her - Eta on groundbreaking head coach role World Championship 2026: Matches, top seeds & BBC TV schedule World Cup winner Kildunne reveals body dysmorphia struggle Do you have to be a millionaire to become an F1 driver? 'I should have died' - Taylor on 10 years since forced retirement The Briton who remains in demand in NBA at 74 Another Sunday In Hell: The brutal race that thwarts the greats Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.