Victorious Wales set for must-win tie with Hungary
GARETH BALE claims never to have taken a triple-bogey playing golf, and his return helped Wales score a solid par in Azerbaijan to keep alive their hopes of reaching the finals. First-half goals from Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson saw Wales to a comfortable win here as they seek to qualify automatically for Euro 2020.
Boss Ryan Giggs’s decision to leave Aaron Ramsey out of his initial XI was vindicated as Joe Morrell, the Bristol City midfielder on loan at Lincoln, was superb on his first competitive start.
When Ramsey replaced Bale after an hour, Wales were in full control and already looking to Tuesday’s clash with Hungary.
With the Hungarians a point ahead of them, Wales know that if they win they will go through to the finals without the need to go through the play-offs in the spring. Bale had not played since picking up a calf injury during Wales’ 1-1 draw with Croatia on October 13 and his appearance here raised eyebrows at his club Real Madrid.
His statement before the match that representing his country excites him more than playing for the Spanish giants won’t endear him to his critics – some of whom believe he places turning out for Wales and spending time on the golf course above his Real career.
But when they play Hungary in Cardiff, expect to see both him and Ramsey from the off, with Wales facing a far sterner test than the world’s 111th-ranked side were able to give them.
The visitors deservedly took the lead in the 10th minute. Morrell’s rising drive from 35 yards was pushed around the post and from Wilson’s corner Moore rose to head in from underneath the crossbar.
In the first half, Wales’ best players were Moore and Morrell. Moore wasted two chances to double their lead. In the 28th minute, Bale eluded two markers and crossed for Moore, who headed straight at goalkeeper Emil Balayev. Then, three minutes later, James sent Moore clean through only for the forward to hesitate, allowing Balayev to race from goal and block his shot.
Shortly afterwards, James glided in from the left and delivered a curling shot that beat Balayev before skimming post and bar. The loose ball fell perfectly for Wilson, who was rewarded with a simple header into the empty net.
They had luck on their side when Dmitri Nazarov’s shot from the edge of the box appeared to strike Tom Lockyer on the arm.
Nazarov was booked for his wild protests when referee Deniz Aytekin turned down his appeal, but perhaps it would have been harsh to penalise Lockyer, who was close to Nazarov when the ball was struck. The call meant Wales had no nasty surprises before half-time.
On the hour mark, Giggs stuck to the pre-match plan, sending on Ramsey for Bale.
And despite missed chances in the second half, Wales now look to Tuesday with confidence.
Even a confrontation involving 20 players, following a tussle between Wilson and Shahriyar Rahimov, could not knock them off course.