Wales to play Spain and Albania in Autumn International Challenge Matches

April 13, 2018
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from Football Association of Wales (FAW)
Wales will meet Spain in Cardiff for an International Challenge Match on Thursday, 11 October 2018 before heading to face Albania away on 20 November 2018 the Elbasan Arena, Elbasan.
 
This will be the first meeting with Spain since 1985, when goals from Ian Rush (2) and Mark Hughes secured a 3-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over the Spanish at the Racecourse, Wrexham. 
 
Prior to that match, the teams have met each other on four other occasions, two of which ended in stalemate, with the other two matches resulting in defeat for Wales. 
 
This latest encounter between the countries will be played ahead of Wales’ UEFA Nations League match against the Republic of Ireland (away) on 16 October.
 
Meanwhile, for Spain, this match will act as preparation for their home match against England a day earlier on 15 October. 
 
Wales last faced Albania in 1995, with Pembridge securing Wales’ only goal in a 1-1 draw in Tirana. The only other match against Albania came in 1994, with Chris Coleman and Ryan Giggs scoring in a 2-0 victory at the Arms Park in Cardiff. 
 
Both international challenge matches will prove to be a tough test for Ryan Giggs and his squad, especially against a Spanish team who go to the FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer, where they will play Portugal, Morocco and Iran in Group B. 
 
Venue information for Wales v Spain will be released in due course, as will ticket information for both matches. 
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