Man Utd and Swansea starlets inspire Wales to first EURO U17 win
BUDAÖRS, HUNGARY - 23 MAY 2023: Wales' Gabriele Biancheri scores and celebrates during the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group A fixture between Cymru & Poland at the Budaörsi Városi Stadion, Budaörs, Hungry. (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
Wales rounded off their first U17 European Championship campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Group A winners Poland.
Iwan Morgan scored a late brace after Gabriele Biancheri had headed Wales ahead on 81 minutes to give Wales their first-ever win at the U17 Euros.
Poland had scored 39 times in their previous 10 games, and struck the crossbar twice in the first half, but were unable to find a way past a brilliant Welsh defence.
Craig Knight made five changes from the team that lost 3-0 to the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, including handing a first start to Jacob Cook.
There was also a change in formation as Wales shifted to a back five with Luey Giles slotting into centre-back whilst Joshua Beecher and Rhys Thomas provided the width at full-back.
Cymru came out of the blocks quickly, as they looked to end their campaign on a high, and had an early penalty claim turned away by the referee when Freddie Issaka was tripped in the box.
But Poland’s attacking threat soon reared its head. On 14 minutes, Filip Wolski received a cutting-through pass from Szymon Kądziołka, and fired a close-range effort on goal, but was denied by the crossbar.
Wales continued to cause the Group A leaders problems, primarily down the left through Issaka and Beecher however they were unable to convert their dangerous moments into chances.
Some miscommunication at the back from Poland presented a half chance for Wales, Biancheri looked to capitalise, chasing down a loose ball, which was eventually cleared away by Axel Holewiński.
The woodwork once again came to Wales rescue just before the break when Daniel Mikołajewski’s free-kick came crashing back off the crossbar.
Beecher also saw a cross come back off the crossbar early in the second half before Morgan’s low-driven shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Poland, who scored 10 goals in their opening two fixtures, continued to probe for an opener in the second half, but were denied by a series of great saves by Armstrong.
With nine minutes of regular time remaining, Wales took the lead through Biancheri.
The Manchester United forward got on the end of Issaka’s cross from the right to head in Wales’ first-ever goal at the U17 Euros.
Wales didn’t sit back on their lead, instead they pressed on for a second and quickly added to their lead through substitute Morgan.
The 17-year-old picked up the ball deep in Wales attacking half and charged at the Polish defence, leaving white shirts in his trail, before firing a low shot past Holewiński.
Having struck the post in his first two appearances, Morgan was hungry for more and added a second in injury time, smashing the ball into the top corner.
