Bale: Place in finals could trump Euro 2016

Wales

GARETH BALE believes Wales reaching the European Championship next summer could trump the achievement of playing at Euro 2016.

Wales ended a 58-year wait to play at a major tournament in 2016 under Chris Coleman.

Three years on and Ryan Giggs’ side will qualify for Euro 2020 by beating Hungary at home tonight.

“The experience of qualifying for the Euros was massive,” Bale said ahead of the winner-takes-all clash in Cardiff. “To do it again might be a bit more impressive.”

Joe Allen, suspended for the Azerbaijan win, will return at the expense of Joe Morrell in midfield. With doubts over Aaron Ramsey’s fitness to play 90 minutes, Harry Wilson could start, with the Juventus midfielder possibly used from the bench again.

Northern Ireland

MICHAEL O’NEILL believes Northern Ireland are moving in the right direction despite missing out on automatic qualification for Euro 2020.

They play their final Group C fixture tonight against Germany in Frankfurt, but attention is already shifting to the play-offs in March after Saturday’s goalless draw with Holland ended any chance of advancing directly.

“We have a route through the play-offs and the good thing for us there won’t be anyone in the play-offs at the level of Germany and Holland,” said O’Neill.

“We just have to try and maintain this level. ”

Ireland

MATT DOHERTY’S late header was not enough to send the Republic of Ireland to the Euro 2020 finals as they came up just short in a tense encounter with old foes Denmark.

Martin Braithwaite had stabbed the visitors into a 73rd-minute lead at the Aviva Stadium on a night when Ireland needed to win to progress automatically from Group D.

Doherty headed Mick McCarthy’s men level with five minutes remaining but they had to make do with a 1-1 draw.

The Republic now face the prospect of a one-legged semifinal and final in March if they are to take part in a tournament for which they are one of the hosts