March 28, 2024

Y Clwb Pêl-droed

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Wales 1-1 Croatia: Wales hold Croatia in Cardiff to keep qualification hopes alive

Wales earned a point against a stubborn Croatia side at the Cardiff City Stadium, thanks to talisman Gareth Bale.

An opening goal from Nikola Vlasic gave the visitors an early lead but was later cancelled out by the Madrid star at the end of the first half.

The result leaves Wales four points off of second-placed Hungary, who they play in the final fixture of European Championship qualifying.

Croatia, who with a win would have qualified, were a physical contest for Ryan Giggs’ men.

A dampener on the evening saw two head injuries to Dan James and Ethan Amapdu, with the latter unable to continue. 


Croatia started as strongly as their form suggested they would, giving Wales a nightmare opening within the first ten minutes.

Josep Brekalo broke quickly down the left-hand side, gliding past Connor Roberts and cutting inside with force.

The ball eventually made its way to Nikola Vlasic on the edge of the area, who struck across goal and found the post on its way in to give the visitors their dream opening.

With their backs against the wall early, Wales nearly conceded a second moments after their first.

A slick run in behind by Ivan Perisic gifted the winger a free header inside the penalty area, but superb acrobatics from Wayne Hennessey keeping the lead from being doubled as the stopper pushed the effort round the post.

A drab first half was brought to life as soon as it was about to close.

It took Wales until added time to create a meaningful chance on goal, and they took it with both hands.

Ben Davies came storming through the Croat midfield to win the ball off Mateo Kovacic, before picking his head up and slipping through Gareth Bale on goal.

The Welsh talisman wasted no time to clip the ball past a rushing Dominik Livaković to bring the scores level at the end of the first period.

Eager to continue as the second half ended Wales looked to press early.

Dan James used his pace to full effect down the left, cutting towards the byline and firing towards goal.

Livakovic parried the effort towards Kieffer Moore, but the stopper was able to recollect before the Welsh number nine could fire home.

The visitors provided a physical test for Ryan Giggs unchanged side, but neither side were able to create throughout the second period.

A draw a fair result on the evening, with Wales boosting their Euro qualification hopes with another point on the board.

Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Joe Allen, Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore (Tyler Roberts, 85′), Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu (Joe Morell, 48′), Tom Lockyer, Jonny Williams (Harry Wilson, 68′), Daniel James.

Croatia: Dominik Livaković, Borna Barišić, Ivan Perišić, Dejan Lovren, Mateo Kovačić (Ivan Rakitic, 45′), Luka Modrić (C) (Milan Badelj, 89′), Nikola Vlašić, Tin Jedvaj, Josip Brekalo, Bruno Petković (Ante Rebic, 63′), Domagoj Vida.

(Featured Image: Mike James)

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