Ruthless Ramsey at double to send Wales to Euro 2020
Giggs finally on big stage with Wales
AFTER a career in top- level football spanning nearly three decades, Ryan Giggs enjoyed one of the best days of his life as he contemplates finally competing at a major tournament with Wales.
What Giggs could not manage as a player, he has achieved as a coach, as Aaron Ramsey’s two goals on his first competitive start since September 2018 ensured Wales secured the victory they needed to qualify automatically for Euro 2020 next summer. They were also indebted to a superb double save by Wayne Hennessey in the first half, with the score at 1-0. A draw would have condemned Wales to the play-offs.
‘It doesn’t get any better,’ said Wales boss Giggs, who won 34 trophies during a stellar playing career with Manchester United but could not come close to that success for his country. ‘It is one of the greatest nights of my life — simple as that.
‘All credit to the lads to show the determination they have. With the quality in this squad, they can do a lot more. The lads who have come in have done brilliantly but it can get better. We’ve missed Aaron Ramsey, but better late than never.
‘We’ve got some very good players but those who can make the difference don’t grow on trees, and Aaron was the difference in this game.
‘It’s a special night. After what happened in the summer, to come back and qualify, the lads deserve all the plaudits they will get. There was no room for error. I never got nervous as a player but as a manager, you’re nervous 24/7. You prepare the team as best you can but come game day, it’s out of your hands.
‘I asked the players who reached Euro 2016 to climb that mountain again and it’s not easy. A lot has been said about the young players but you need the older players. I wanted to qualify for a major championship but leave Welsh football in a better state than when I took over, which wasn’t easy but it can definitely get better.’
After three qualifying matches, Wales had only three points but an impressive burst for the finishing line, claiming 11 points from a possible 15, saw Giggs’ men home. They will not be among the favourites next summer, but with Gareth Bale, Ramsey — now seventh on Wales’ all-time scoring list — and Daniel James in their team, fans will dream of repeating their glorious march to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
With spirits high, Bale turned the air blue in a television interview when joking about Ramsey’s absence, while the squad — including Bale — danced in front of a Welsh flag bearing the words ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In That Order.’ It is not hard to imagine what Bale’s bosses at Real will think of that.
Giggs deserves credit for his work in these last four games, from the success of Kieffer Moore in attack to the smart use of Bale and Ramsey, both short of full match fitness, in the final two games against Azerbaijan and here last night.
For a short time, Hungary looked comfortable yet they could nothing when Wales’ two most talented players combined to put them in front. Connor Roberts found Bale in space on the right and he delivered the perfect cross for Ramsey to head
home from close range. moore should have made it two just before the half-hour, only to head another delightful cross from Bale just wide.
Wales nearly paid for it five minutes later but stayed ahead thanks to superb work from Hennessey. the Crystal Palace keeper blocked Dominik Szoboszlai’s low drive from Adam Szalai’s knock-down, and then kept out the follow-up from Roland Sallai.
the second half started in bizarre fashion, with referee ovidiu Hategan and his linesmen reappearing well after the players were ready to kick off, and Hungary were similarly late into their stride when the action resumed.
moore miscued an attempted bicycle kick from Ben Davies’ freekick on the left but it fell perfectly for Ramsey, who lifted the ball calmly above Peter Gulacsi into the roof of the net. Wales had the breathing space they needed.
Bale nearly made it three with a free-kick from the edge of the box that went narrowly over. then Ramsey was denied a hat-trick from just inside the box, Gulacsi saving with his foot after another thrilling run from James.
Ramsey didn’t care. Wales didn’t care. the party was about to start in Cardiff — and who knows how long it might last.