Euro 2020 qualifiers: Wales vs Croatia match report and key moments

The Group E of the Euro 2020 qualifiers saw Wales face Croatia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday night. The match ended in a 1-1 draw with both the goals coming in the first half. Croatia entered the game top of their group with 13 points, knowing a win would see them safely qualify to the Euro 2020. Wales, on the other hand, had 7 points and needed some inspiring performances and a bit of luck on their side. Here's a brief match report and key moments from the game. 

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: Wales vs Croatia line-up

Ryan Giggs named an unchanged line-up from their draw against Slovakia last time out. Gareth Bale started on the left; having scored just once in the last five games. Croatia, meanwhile, have made three changes to their side with Matteo Kovacic, Josip Brekalo and Nikola Vlasic coming in with Ivan Rakitic and Ante Rebic dropping to the bench and Marcelo Brozovic suspended.

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: Wales vs Croatia match report

Croatia took charge of the game right from the whistle putting Wales on the back foot. Vlasic opened the scoring for the visitors with a good first-time finish from the edge of the box in the 9th minute. The goal was just in the aftermath after Wales were denied a penalty after Daniel James was pushed in the box by Dejan Lovren. It could have been 2-0 to Croatia when Petkovic found Perisic free in the box, only to have his header saved by an acrobatic Wayne Hennessey. Wales started looking more and more lively as the game wore on. Finally, before half-time, Wales found an equaliser through Gareth Bale. Ben Davies did fine when he held the ball well and fed Bale through on goal with a good ball. The second half saw Wales attack more. However, neither side managed to add up to their tally ending the game in a 1-1 all draw. Daniel James came close in the 55th of the Euro 2020 qualifier. 

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: Summary

A 1-1 result was probably the best outcome coming out from a game that did not see many clear-cut chances. Wales could have probably had another goal had injuries not disrupted their momentum. Speaking of injuries, Luka Modric was down after he tackled Harry Wilson. A stretcher was brought onto the pitch, although Modric was fine to hobble off the pitch, ending his game in the 88th minute. Modric would be hoping to avoid any serious injury and be fit before Real Madrid visit Barcelona on October 26 in LaLiga. Croatia will need to get a result in their final fixture against Slovakia to seal a spot in the Euro 2020 next year. As for Wales, they can look to defeat Azerbaijan and hope other results go in their favour to have any chance.  

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