- Wales defeated Croatia 2-1 in the Euro 2024 qualification game on Sunday night at the Cardiff City Stadium thanks to two goals from Harry Wilson.
- Wales now sits in second place in Group D, six points behind leaders Turkey with one game remaining.
Wales defeated Croatia 2-1 in the Euro 2024 qualification game on Sunday night at the Cardiff City Stadium thanks to two goals from Harry Wilson, who put up an outstanding display.
The 26-year-old broke through in the 47th minute before heading in a second on the hour. Although Mario Pasalic of Croatia cut the lead in half in the 75th minute, the visitors were unable to add a second goal late in a poor display.
Despite the fact that Mario Pasalic cut the gap, Wales now has control over their own fate going into the final qualifying games in November.
The Welsh National team ahead of kick-off against Wales.Photo/BBC
Due to the outcome, Wales now sits in second place in Group D, six points behind leaders Turkey with one game remaining, ahead of Croatia on head-to-head records.
The squad has now given themselves a real opportunity of winning a top-two berth in the section. Wales’ remaining two games in the group are against Armenia and Turkey in November.
When Neco Williams connected with Wilson in the penalty area in the 12th minute of the game, Wales had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead. However, Croatian defender Domagoj Vida was on hand to make a superb block.
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When Wilson took a wonderful free kick in the 23rd minute, Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic reached across his goal to deflect the attacker’s attempt wide of the post.
While Croatia had more of the possession as the first quarter came to a close, there was nothing of note from the visitors in terms of an offensive danger. Wales was the team on the front foot in the first half, with Williams forcing another brilliant stop from Livakovic in the 30th minute.
Wales celebrating a goal against Croatia.Photo/Sky Sports
In the 47th minute, the home team’s pressure paid off when David Brooks found Wilson on the run and Wilson skillfully scooped the ball over the advancing goalie to set off wild celebrations within the stadium.
On the hour, Wilson scored again, this time with a beautiful header off a cross from Daniel James, who had only entered the game in place of Brooks three minutes earlier.
Harry Wilson scored a brace as Wales beat Croatia.Photo/Sky Sports
James, who was active, was released inside the box and had an opportunity to make it 3-0 in the 68th minute, but his curling shot was always off-target.
In the 75th minute, Pasalic headed a deflected corner from Luka Modric into the net from close range for Croatia to lessen the deficit.
In the 82nd minute, seasoned midfielder Modric drove Croatia forward in pursuit of an equalizer, but Wales was able to get through a difficult closing period to earn a crucial three points in the group.
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