Wales 2-1 Croatia – Harry Wilson nets inspired brace as hosts keep Euro 2024 qualifying hopes alive

Harry Wilson marked his Golden cap with a match-winning double as Wales beat Croatia 2-1 in Cardiff to keep their bid to reach Euro 2024 alive.

The Dragons have endured a difficult Group D qualifying campaign so far but relieved some of the pressure on boss Rob Page with one of their best displays in recent years.

The home side’s direct approach caught the visitors out time and time again with Dominik Livakovic making two superb saves to keep out Wilson and Neco Williams in a lively first half.

Wales deserved to be ahead at the interval but didn’t have to wait too long after the restart as Wilson raced on to David Brooks’ pass to clip home the opener.

The Fulham winger was enjoying his milestone 50th cap and netted a second on the hour with a brilliant, flicked header.

Croatia substitute Mario Pasalic set up a nervy finale, 15 minutes from time with a far-post header, but the Dragons held on to secure another famous night at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The result moves Wales up to second place in Group D on 10 points, ahead of Croatia due to a better head-to-head record. Leaders Turkey are six points clear having played a game more.

Wales have two Group D qualifiers remaining with a crucial double-header away to Armenia and at home to Turkey coming up in November.

Relief for Page as criticism galvanises the squad for crucial run-in.

This was billed as must-win; not only for Wales’ Euro 2024 qualification hopes but also Page’s future as manager.

Criticism from within the Welsh FA was seen as both surprising and unwelcome in the lead up to this contest, but it seemed to only serve to create something of a siege mentality amongst players, coaches and staff.

As a result, this was right up there with some of the Gareth Bale-inspired results of recent times and suddenly there’s a belief within the camp that they can once again end a qualifying campaign with a strong run to make next summer’s finals in Germany.

There are still two huge matches ahead, but if they can avenge a shock home loss to Armenia (a) next, it would set up another huge occasion in front of the Welsh ‘Red Wall’ against what would be an already qualified Turkey.

As for Croatia, an ageing side looked just that here with a late rally not enough to stop them needing favours during the last few Group D matches.

The 26-year-old excelled throughout the evening, offering dangerous, pacy support to Kieffer Moore along with David Brooks and, later, substitute Dan James. Took his two goals with clinical class and marked a milestone night out as one he’ll never forget.

WALES: Ward 7, B Davies 8, Rodon 8, Mepham 8, Roberts 8, Williams 8, Ampadu 8, J James 8, Brooks 9, Wilson 9*, Moore 8. Subs: James 8, Broadhead n/a.

CROATIA: Livakovic 8, Barisic 6, Gvardiol 6, Vida 6, Juranovic 6, Kovacic 6, Brozovic 6, Modric 7, Brekalo 6, Musa 5, Majer 5. Subs: Stanisic 6, Pasalic 7, Beljo 6, Sosa 6.

12’ – WALES CHANCE! Wilson charges on to Williams’ nice pass from the left but sees his shot well blocked from the far side of the area. The opening came after Brookes flicked the ball over his man on the right and volleyed a superb diagonal pass that caught Croatia napping.

24’ – WALES CHANCE! Wilson bends a 22-yard free kick towards the far corner but Livakovic springs to his left to tip it behind.

30’ – WALES CHANCE! Williams drives in from the left from Wilson’s lovely back heel and thunders in a low strike that Livakovic does well to push past his left post.

47’ – GOAL! – Wales 1-0 Croatia. Wilson races after Brooks’ brilliant, hooked pass and clips a lovely finish beyond the advancing keeper.

60’ – GOAL! – Wales 2-0 Croatia. Wilson races to the front post and produces a deft, flick header that flies into the far corner from James’s superb cross from the left.

75’ – GOAL! – Wales 2-1 Croatia. Mario Pasalic nods in at the far post after Moore inadvertently flicked on Modric’s left-wing corner.

Luka Modric earned his 170th cap for his country. Only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain’s Sergio Ramos have made more international appearances as European outfield players than the Real Madrid midfielder.

James provided his seventh assist in his last nine appearances for club and country.

Wales have won three games in a row for the first time since a run of four between November 2019 and September 2020.

Wilson made his 50th senior appearance for the Welsh national side – exactly 10 years to the day after he made his debut on October 15th, 2013 against Belgium, when he was 16 years and 207 days old.