Wales celebrate Gareth Bale’s dramatic late goal against Azerbaijan. (Image: Lewis Mitchell)
Wales have been guaranteed the insurance policy of a European Championship play-off place after Sweden beat Romania 2-0 in Bucharest.
Ryan Giggs’ men – currently fourth in Group E on eight points – are in Baku to play Azerbaijan tomorrow evening, before hosting Hungary in Cardiff on Tuesday.
Should they win both games, and Slovakia drop points in either of their final two group matches, they will qualify automatically for the tournament next summer.
Should they fail to pick up maximum points, they will at least be assured of the backstop of the play-offs – which take place in March – after goals from Marcus Berg and Robin Quaison gave Blågult the all-important victory.
Wales’ last appearance in a European Championship play-off was back in 2004 – an agonising 1-0 defeat to Russia – a game which Giggs featured in.
The Red Dragons have been boosted by the return to fitness of key midfielder Aaron Ramsey, while all-time leading goalscorer Gareth Bale has declared himself fit – despite not featuring in any of Real Madrid’s last six games.
With Croatia, currently on 14 points, all but securing their place at next summer’s Championships, Hungary (12), Slovakia (10) and Wales (8) will battle it out to clinch the final qualification place.
Slovakia and Wales both have two games left to play, while Hungary will bring their campaign to an end at the Cardiff City Stadium in four days time.
If Wales and Magyarok finish level on points, the 2016 European Championship semi-finalists would advance to the 2020 instalment by virtue of a better head-to-head record.
(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
Leave a Reply