Wales on track for Euro 2020
Baku: Wales eased to a comfortable 2-0 win in Azerbaijan to set up a winner-takes-all match with Hungary for automatic qualification for Euro 2020. Kieffer Moore headed the dominant visitors into an early lead, which was doubled when Harry Wilson nodded into an empty net after Daniel James’ fierce swerving shot rebounded off the crossbar and post. Wales maintained their control in the second half and, although Moore and Wilson missed the best chances to extend their advantage, it mattered little as Ryan Giggs’ side coasted to victory.
“The performance like always could be better but the result was the main thing tonight. It’s set up nicely for Tuesday,” Giggs said.
“Kieffer is a threat and we recognised they might be a bit weak at set-pieces. We were pleased to get the big man on the scoresheet again.
“I thought the referee handled the game well and there were no silly fouls from us - going into Tuesday we wanted our best players available.” Croatia secured top spot in Group E by beating Slovakia 3-1 on Saturday, meaning Wales can take the second qualifying place with a win over Hungary in Cardiff on Tuesday.
A draw in that match could allow Slovakia to clinch second place with a win over Azerbaijan. Ryan Giggs’ side do have the back-up route of a guaranteed play-off place thanks to Sweden’s win over Romania in Group F on Friday.
But having suffered so many agonising qualifying near misses in the past, Wales will be eager to take the lottery of a play-off out of the equation by beating Hungary to secure what would be only their third appearance at a major tournament.
Results: Cyprus 1-2 Scotland, Azerbaijan 0-2 Wales, Slovenia 1-0 Latvia, Russia 1-1 Belgium, San Marino 1-3 Kazakhstan, Germany 4-0 Belarus, Northern Ireland 0-0 Netherlands, Croatia 3-1 Slovakia, Australia 2-1 North Macedonia, Israel 1-2 Poland.