Wales 2-0 Hungary
Wales have booked their place in Euro 2020 with a 2-0 victory in their winner-take-all clash against Hungary. Two goals from Aaron Ramsey were more than enough to seal the win and second place in Group E behind Croatia.
Ramsey and fellow Wales star Gareth Bale were both brilliant for the hosts as they started together for the first time in a very long time.
And with young prospects in Harry Wilson and Daniel James also on hand, Wales showed in this performance that they could still defy the SBOBET Euro 2020 odds just like they did with their shock semi-final run in 2016.
Highlights of the game
Wales produced the first notable chance of the game through Gareth Bale. The Real Madrid man cut inside from the right, but his left-footed strike was tame and easily caught by Hungary keeper Peter Gulacsi.
But Gulacsi would soon be picking the ball out of his own net as Wales took the lead in their very next attack thanks to their two biggest stars.
Bale, once again working from the right, whipped in a sensational cross into the six-yard box, and Aaron Ramsey rose high to head the ball into the goal.
It’s been quite a while since Welsh fans have seen their two stars combine in such a manner — this was the first game Ramsey started for his country in over a year — and it was a sight they surely savoured.
Hungary attempted to hit back on 26 minutes as Botond Barath got on the end of a free-kick. But the big centre-back’s header went wide of Wayne Hennessey’s goal.
Wales very nearly doubled their lead minutes later after a well-worked counterattack. Ramsey found Bale marauding down the right, and the Madrid star found Kieffer Moore with a right-footed cross.
Unfortunately, the towering Wigan striker, who scored headers against Slovakia and Azerbaijan, was unable to get his header on target this time around.
Wales were very nearly left to pay for failing to capitalise on that big chance as Hungary came so close to an equaliser on 34 minutes. But they had Hennessey to thank after he produced one of the top Euro 2020 highlights of this qualifying round with a magnificent double save to deny the Magyars.
First, he pulled off a remarkable stop on Dominik Szoboszlai’s acrobatic volley. Then, he quickly picked himself back up to smother Roland Sallai’s rebound at his near post.
The Welsh would eventually extend their advantage just after the break. Moore’s miskick from a free-kick found its way to Ramsey, who kept his composure to slot past the keeper. There was some suspicion of offside as a few Hungary players protested, but the goal stood.
Despite having a two-goal lead, Wales still went in search of the third goal that would surely seal the win — and qualification.
Bale almost provided that crucial goal through another free-kick. But his left-footed strike intended for the top corner was just a tad too high. Daniel James also came close but was also unable to hit the top corner with his curler.
In the end, Wales didn’t need that third goal as they held on to top the Hungarians at home.
Key statistics
Hungary had a lot of the ball away from home; they finished with 59 per cent of possession compared to just 41 per cent for the hosts. However, that was in large part due to Wales going two goals up with over 40 minutes remaining and being content to sit back and defend.
And despite that large possession number, Hungary couldn’t do much with the ball. They had just five shots, and their only two shots on target were the ones in the same move that were expertly saved by Hennessey.
Meanwhile, Wales got 16 shots up with five of them on target. Ramsey and Bale accounted for half of those shots; they had four apiece and also combined for four shots on target.
Ramsey’s goals — the 15th and 16th of his Wales career — were his first for his country since a 4-1 Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland in September 2018.
What’s next?
It’s job done for Wales, who no longer need to go through the play-offs. They will now have to schedule some friendlies to help them tune up for this summer’s competition.
As for Hungary, they could still join Wales in the Euros if they can successfully get past the play-offs. The Magyars are still awaiting their fate, which will be determined by a draw on Thursday.
They could be drawn in Path C, where they would meet Scotland. They could also be part of Path A, with Iceland and two of Bulgaria, Israel, and Romania.
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