Wales shock Croatia to reawaken Euro 2024 hopes

CARDIFF – Wales breathed new life into their chances of qualifying for Euro 2024, as Harry Wilson’s double earned a famous 2-1 win over Croatia in Cardiff on Sunday.

Rob Page’s men move above the World Cup semi-finalists into second place in Group D, with Croatia now at risk of missing out on a major tournament for the first time since the 2010 World Cup.

The coach’s position was in doubt after a disastrous start to Wales’ qualifying campaign.

A 4-2 home defeat by Armenia and 2-0 loss at group leaders Turkey in June looked to have all but ended their hopes of reaching a third consecutive European Championship.

“Actions speak louder than words,” said Page as he hit back at his critics.

“I’m sick and tired of having to keep coming on and talk about my future. Let’s just talk about the lads and the performances they have put in. I get emotional because I’m so proud of them and they deserve all the plaudits they are going to get. We can’t wait to meet up for the next game.”

Turkey’s 4-0 win over Latvia sealed their qualification, leaving Wales and Croatia to fight it out for the second automatic place in Germany in 2024.

The sides are tied on 10 points, but Wales enjoy the better head-to-head record after a 1-1 draw in Split earlier in the group.

However, Croatia appear to have the easier fixtures in November as they visit Latvia and welcome Armenia to Zagreb.

Wales travel to Armenia and host Turkey in their final two matches.

On top of losing Gareth Bale to international retirement, Wales were without two of their major threats in Aaron Ramsey and Brennan Johnson through injury.

But Fulham winger Wilson became his nation’s new hero with two brilliant finishes early in the second half.

Victory was no less than Wales deserved, as Croatia’s big names failed to live up to their billing.

Said defender Josip Juranovic: “Everything went wrong for us tonight. We need to look at ourselves in the mirror after losing these two games (they also fell to Turkey) and say sorry to our fans who have travelled here. We need to go back to our clubs and get in the best shape possible for our remaining games.”

The home side were unfortunate not to be in front by half-time, as Dominik Livakovic made fine saves to turn behind a Wilson free kick and Neco Williams’ curled effort from the edge of the area.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic showed his displeasure by making three substitutions at the break, but even that did not shake his side from their slumber.

David Brooks continued his fairy-tale return from a cancer diagnosis to representing his country at the top level with the assist for Wilson’s opener.

The Bournemouth attacker’s lofted ball over the Croatia defence saw Wilson outpace Domagoj Vida and lob the ball over the advancing Livakovic.

The diminutive Wilson then used his head to good effect with a cushioned header from Daniel James’ cross.

James’ curling effort was inches away from a Welsh third before they were forced to see out a nervy finale.

Mario Pasalic turned home a corner at the back post 15 minutes from time.

But the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic could not break down the Welsh defence once more, leaving the battle for second place on a knife-edge.

In other qualifiers, Switzerland needed two late goals at home to Belarus to rescue a 3-3 draw but surrendered first place in Group I to Romania, who beat Andorra 4-0.

In Plzen, Tomas Soucek’s 76th-minute penalty earned the Czech Republic a narrow 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands, bumping his team up to second in Group E behind surprise leaders Albania.

Third-placed Poland struggled in the absence of injured striker Robert Lewandowski and had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Moldova in Warsaw. AFP