Rob Page’s Wales delivered in style as they beat Croatia 2-1 in this Group D qualifier that the home side just had to win. A memorable night as the whole of Wales it seemed crammed into the stadium to witness a deserved 2-1 victory.
It was Croatia’s goalkeeper, Livakovic who kept the score down to honours even in the first half tonight in Cardiff as a Wales side with fire in their bellies impressed throughout a shortened first half. With the new rulings on additional time ignored by the match referee bringing the half to a close exactly on the forty five.
A rowdy crowd belting out their support for Wales encouraged the home side to get forwards at every opportunity, the irrepressible Neco Williams a willing runner throughout. The midfield linking at pace through Connor Roberts and Ethan Ampadu, with Harry Wilson and the better than ever David Brooks a constant threat. It was Williams who stung the keepers gloves in the first half and Harry Wilson who would announce himself at last on the international stage who went close from a free kick.
It has to be said as well and despite him not being everyone’s cup of tea Kiefer Moore was a constant thorn in the Croats side as Wales looked by far the better side. The visitors head coach, Zlatko Dalić Was so concerned of the domination of Wales he made three substitutions at half time but that did little to stem the flow as the red tide continued into the second half. Within two minutes if the start a wonderful through ball was beautifully controlled by Harry Wilson who cleverly chipped the on rushing goalkeeper. Minutes jäger a lively cross from Dan James was met by Wilson who gently helped on the ball in to the Croatian net.
Despite Wales efforts, including a curling effort from Dan James they couldn’t extend their lead as the half wore on. On seventy four minutes Wales were dealt a blow when Mario Pasalic met a well executed corner on the Wales right to head home in to Danny Ward’s net. The goal was as a result of Wales defending too deep leading to a period of Croatian pressure, the score at 2-1 meant a nervous last fifteen minutes or so. More gaps started to appear at the back for Wales, Keeper Danny Ward and ex Swans Joe Rodon both keeping the visitors out. Modrić jinked, dummied and probed the midfield, the thirty eight year old as effervescent as ever.
You just knew as the minutes ticked on that more opportunities would come, and they did.
Referee Davide Massa managed to add to the frustration failing to award Wales free kicks for a number of fouls on Wilson and Roberts. The defending became ruthless for Wales, throwing their bodies on the line as frustrations threatened to tip over on the pitch. Frantic and unconditional bravery as the game went in to five minutes of additional time. Chris Mepham and Ben Davies remarkably composed and solid. Croatia pushed on, the wonderful Neco Williams was relentless in his running as Ward plucked another effort from Mario Pasalic out of the air. Both sides were running on empty as a cross again from the Wales right was headed goal-wards by Majer. Ward again obliged with the save.
When the referee blew his whistle the relief was tangible, the roar magnificent and the belief it seemed had returned. Yma o Hyd ! rung around the stadium as Wales got the three points. That’s the first win needed and now it’s Armenia away in November. If that goes to plan then it’s the big one, Turkey at home, two wins are needed for automatic qualification, nothing less will do. But Wales have some hope at least. This was breathtaking stuff - at last !
Wales: Ward; Roberts, Rodon, Mepham, Davies (c); J.James, Wilson, Ampadu, Williams; Brooks (D.James 58), Moore
Subs: Hennessey, King, Lockyer, Bradshaw, Levitt, Cullen, Savage, Poole, Low, Sheehan, Broadhead
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic (Stanisic 46), Vida, Gvardiol, Barisic; Modric (c), Brozovic, Kovacic; Majer, Musa (Beljo 46), Brekalo (Pasalic 46)
Subs: Labrovic, Ivusic, Erlic, Sutalo, Vlasic, Moro, Sosa
Man of the match : Neco Williams
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