Leicester charges seeing Reaction to Wales win – Wales will now face Poland for a ticket at Euro 2024 after easily defeating Finland in their play-off semi-final in Cardiff. When Harry Wilson’s shot was blocked in the third minute, David Brooks volleyed in on the rebound to give the home side the perfect start. Just before halftime, Teemu Pukki scored quietly to keep the visitors in the game, even though Neco Williams’ incredible looping free-kick doubled Wales’ advantage. Finland dominated the first half for extended stretches.
Brennan Johnson’s tap-in from Brooks’ shot 90 seconds into the second half calmed any remaining anxieties in Wales. Despite Ben Davies’ goal being disallowed and the squad failing to capitalize on chances to expand their advantage, Robert Page’s side triumphed comfortably. On his 50th cap, substitute Dan James added a late fourth goal.
Leicester charges seeing Reaction to Wales win
Wales will now concentrate on Tuesday’s play-off final against Poland, which will also take place over one leg at Cardiff City Stadium, with the chance to win a ticket to a third consecutive European Championship. Page presented a fairly calm front in the run-up to this match, despite the huge stakes, but there was always that lurking fear that a defeat might open him up to further criticism. Those thoughts were quickly dispelled, however, as Wales quickly took the lead by escaping the traps.
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Lukas Hradecky blocked Wilson’s left-footed attempt when he burst free in the Finnish penalty area, but it went straight to Brooks, who volleyed in to deafening cheers at Cardiff City Stadium.
That goal immediately validated Page’s decision to start Brooks and bench Kieffer Moore, who denied the front three a true center forward. Wales had the early advantage, but lost it when Page went with Johnson, Wilson, and Brooks to try to stretch the Finns with a mobile front three. Finland had the ball for long stretches of time, and while their efforts to penetrate the Welsh box yielded few obvious chances, the visitors were clearly the better team throughout the first forty-five minutes.
The Finns suffered greatly as a result of their inability to put Wales to a real defensive test, as Page’s side increased their lead against the direction of play. After a quick counterattack, Williams scored his first goal of the match with a right-footed shot that whistled into the upper far corner after Wilson was fouled outside the penalty area. Joel Pohjanpalo’s flicked pass set up Pukki’s brilliant finish, which gave Finland a dramatic comeback goal past Danny Ward in the Wales goal.
If the home crowd was uneasy at first, ninety seconds into the second half, they were feeling much better. Wilson curled a free kick into the back post, and Brooks aided Johnson with a tap-in from close range after Ethan Ampadu headed the ball down. Wales had many chances to increase their lead, but Wilson missed the mark and Moore, his substitute, forced a stop from Hradecky.
Following a visual assistance referee (VAR) evaluation, Captain Davies thought he had headed in Wales’ fourth goal from a corner, but Joe Rodon was ruled to have blocked Hradecky and was offside. As a result, the goal was disallowed. That was unimportant, however, since seven minutes later James, the substitute, ran toward goal, wrapped Hradecky, and placed the ball into an empty net after robbing a reluctant Miro Tenho of the ball.
score Leicester charges seeing Reaction to Wales win
Wales could now enjoy themselves, although in a more restrained manner than they would on most nights at Cardiff City Stadium. The players, staff, and supporters all know that if Wales loses against Poland, their efforts here at the stadium would be in naught; nevertheless, if they win on Tuesday, this stadium will burst into jubilant celebrations once more.
- Possession
Home – 41%
Away – 59%
- Shots
Home – 15
Away – 9
- Shots on Target
Home – 10
Away – 2
- Corners
Home – 2
Away – 3
- Fouls
Home – 16
Away – 12
