Slovakia 1-1 Wales
Ryan Giggs’ Wales kept their Euro 2020 qualification hopes intact with a hard-fought draw in Slovakia, which leaves the hosts in second place In Group E.
Wales knew they were in for a hot reception at the Stadion Antona Malatinsenko after the Slovakians had narrowly escaped the threat of having to play behind closed doors, but they rode the storm to go ahead through debutant Kieffer Moore.
A second-half strike by Juraj Kucka levelled the scores and then both teams had chances to win the game as Slovakia ended up with ten men.
The Euro 2020 results elsewhere in Group E mean that both can still qualify, while Croatia are favourites to finish top.
Highlights of the game
Wales made a bright start but the first big chance of the game fell to the Slovaks on 11 minutes. Marek Hamsik crossed from the left and Robert Bozenik put a clever back-heel into the path of Robert Mak, but as the striker expected his low shot to find the net, Ethan Ampadu got back just in time to make a brilliant block.
Slovakia were dictating the pace of the game and had another good chance from a corner. Hamsik swung in a beauty onto the head of David Hancko but he could only direct it into Wayne Hennessey’s hands.
But before the hosts could gather any more momentum the Dragons roared back, and Bale came close to opening the scoring when he headed a lofted ball over Martin Dubravka only to see it bounce off the angle of post and crossbar.
After a turbulent summer of speculation, Gareth Bale has had to settle back into life at Real Madrid and says he has been playing with anger after head coach Zinedine Zidane had done his best to force him out of the club during the summer. And he would dearly have loved to have scored an early goal for his country.
But a minute later Wales were ahead. Dan James found space down the left flank and stood a beautiful ball up for Kieffer Moore which he headed down and into the net. It was the Wigan striker’s first goal in his competitive debut and one which made his surprise selection look like a good one.
Mak had another golden chance to score for Slovakia when Hamsik slid the ball through, but with only Hennessey to beat the keeper saved at the near post.
As the game swung to the other end Jonny Williams had a good shout for a penalty when Norbert Gyomber was late in the tackle, but the referee waved away the Welsh protests.
The passionate Slovakia crowd roared on their team at the start of the second half and they got their reward when the hosts hit back with a cracker. Connor Roberts got a good head to a cross, but when the ball dropped to Juraj Kucka he fired his volley low into the corner giving Hennessey no chance.
The Falcons were flying now, and after a sweeping move Hennessey had to get down quickly with a strong hand to push away a low shot from Albert Rusnak, and then Kucka came close again with a searing drive.
Wales came close — in a rare attack — when Roberts put in a dangerous low cross but Dubravka saved well from Moore’s near-post flick.
Slovakia ended the game with ten men after Norbert Gyomber picked up a second yellow card for pole-axing Moore.
Wales were lucky to finish with 11 after Gareth Bale, on a yellow, put in a late challenge to stop Milan Skriniar. But the Welsh winger stayed down clutching his knee, for long enough for the referee to forget about giving him a red.
Key statistics
Marek Hamsik wanted revenge for a Euro 16 defeat to Wales, but he had to settle for a point. The Falcons had 70 per cent of the ball, but the shot-count was close at 13 to 15.
We’ve always been big admirers of the former Napoli man here in the SBOBET football team and he controlled the action for much of the game, but a draw was a fair outcome.
Wales are still fourth but still in touch by three points behind the Falcons with a game in hand, while Croatia is clear at the top. Away form is a concern. Wales haven’t had an away win in over a year and haven’t won a competitive away fixture under Giggs.
But they did end a three-match home winning streak for Slovakia and end their own away run of three defeats.
What’s next?
We’ll be back again tomorrow with more Euro 2020 betting tips, and one of the first fixtures on everybody’s list is the match in Cardiff where Wales face Croatia on Sunday.
The Dragons are hopeful that Juve star Aaron Ramsay will be fit to play in a game that could get their challenge right back on track, but Croatia is a fine side.
Meanwhile, Slovakia has a home friendly against Paraguay before getting back to Euro 2020 action with a crunch away clash against Croatia.
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