A stunning stoppage time strike from Cian Ashford helped Wales stay unbeaten in their qualifying campaign, with a 1-1 draw away in Czechia.
Matěj Jurásek put the home side ahead in the first half with a howitzer. It looked all through the game that they would hold out for the win, but Ashford’s moment of brilliance salvaged a brilliant point for Wales.
The result keeps Wales top of Group I, and they now have two home qualifiers next month against Iceland and Denmark.
This is a Czechia team who were involved in the European U21 Championships this summer, beating Germany in the process, and throughout the first half their quality shone through.
Every cross they put into the box looked dangerous, and the Welsh defenders had to be very alert to clear each and every one.
After realising crosses may not be the way to go, the Czechs turned to their talented forwards to try and strike the first blow.
A free kick from Patrik Vydra whistled past the post, before Matěj Jurásek went even closer when he saw the ball cannon back off the post.
It certainly felt like Wales had nine lives, but their luck ran out seven minutes before the end of the half. Jurásek ran to the edge of the box after a short corner, before whipping a powerful effort past Ed Beech. A truly stunning goal.
Welsh chances were almost non-existent. Luke Harris went the closest right on the stroke of half time, but he played his effort across goal rather than over the keeper.
Owen Beck could certainly count himself a little fortunate to still be on the pitch after a poor tackle on Czech captain Jakub Křišt’an, but heading into the break, Wales were well and truly second best.
Beck would go on to make use of his reprieve by almost putting Wales level. He weaved his way through numerous Czech defenders but couldn’t dispatch his shot through the legs of Lukáš Horníček.
As the game wore on, Beck was becoming the main protagonist. Pat Jones managed to keep the ball in play expertly, before crossing to the far post where Beck was, but he couldn’t stretch far enough to poke the ball into the bottom corner.
After a tepid first half, the second half was proving far more fruitful for Wales.
Josh Thomas out strengthened Filip Prebsl before bearing down on goal for a one-on-one showdown with Horníček. Thomas tried to curl it round the mountain of a keeper, but the Czech came out on top, palming his shot away. A golden opportunity not taken.
It certainly looked like the Czechs would see out the game in a professional manner, but the final phase of play would provide the ultimate drama.
Beech’s free kick on the halfway line was punched out by the keeper. It fell to Cian Ashford on the edge of the box, and he produced a spellbinding volley that ended in the back of the net. Pandemonium on the Wales bench, and they keep up their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Player of the Match: Luca Hoole
I thought Hoole was superb tonight. In the first half, he was alert and helped keep out every Czech cross. In the second half, he helped snuff out any attack, and he was a big part in why Wales got a point tonight.
Czechia
Lukáš Horníček, Filip Prebsl, Martin Suchomel, Štěpán Chaloupek, Albert Lapík, Patrik Vydra, Jakub Křišt’an ©, Adam Karabec (Denis Višinský 64’), Kryštof Daněk (Filip Vecheta 90’), Matěj Jurásek, Daniel Fila (Václav Sejk 64’)
Unused Subs: Matyáš Vágner, Christophe Kabongo, David Tkáč, Lukáš Endl, Josef Koželuh, Marek Icha
Goals: Matěj Jurásek (38’)
Yellows: Daniel Fila (34’), Martin Suchomel (59’)
Wales
Ed Beach, Fin Stevens ©, Zac Ashworth, Luca Hoole, Owen Beck, Owen Bevan (Cian Ashford 90’), Oli Hammond, Luke Harris, Tom Hill (Pat Jones 64’), Josh Thomas, Rubin Colwill (Joel Cotterill 80’)
Unused Subs: Evan Watts, Jay Williams, Ryan Howley, Jadan Raymond, Tom Davies
Goals: Cian Ashford (90’)
Yellows: Owen Beck (40’), Luke Harris (44’), Zac Ashworth (86’), Fin Stevens (90’)
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