EURO 2020 HERE WE COME!
Euphoria as Wales seal tournament spot:
YES, it really has happened.
Wales marched to Euro 2020 courtesy of two majestic Aaron Ramsey goals, finally, finally, finally winning one of these win or bust last-gasp qualifiers that have caused so much Cardiff torment in the past.
It would be wrong to say the demons of Romania ‘93 , Russia 2003 and Ireland two years ago have been completely banished.
But Ryan Giggs’ imperious class of 2019 went some way towards doing just that and more importantly ensured that this time there was to be joy instead of yet more anguish for a devastated nation.
Ramsey led the way with his goals, utterly majestic with perhaps his best Wales performance since starring in that quarter-final win over Belgium at Euro 2016.
But this was a display full of courage, commitment and class from the whole team.
They dominated from start to finish, displaying none of the nerves that beset sides led by Terry Yorath, Mark Hughes and Chris Coleman in these crunch final match qualifiers from yesteryear.
Wales were magnificent from goalkeeper through to centre-forward, ensuring they, not Hungary or Slovakia, join Group E winners Croatia with the elite at next summer’s finals, determined to stamp their mark on the Euros again.
And even if they don’t get as far as the semi-finals this time, make their mark once more Wales most certainly will.
Ramsey’s artistry will light up the tournament again, Gareth Bale’s brilliance too.
You can just imagine Dan James’ pace terrorising Europe’s best fullbacks, fellow youngsters like Harry Wilson and David Brooks excelling on the big stage with their skill, defenders Chris Mepham, Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon and Tom Lockyer growing in stature.
As for Joe Allen and Ben Davies, well they’ll be what they always are Wales colossuses.
We could go on and on with every player who has played a part under Giggs, but you get the drift.
What the rookie boss has done with this young team in transition is utterly extraordinary.
He has transformed the side, changed the personnel and tactics and given them the kind of licence to thrill we saw against Hungary, and which hasn’t always been the case for Wales.
To achieve the qualifying goal in such a short space of time, with such a large turnover of players and in such style, represents a phenomenal managerial feat.
It looked like a mountain to climb when Wales lost summer games in Croatia and Hungary, but Giggs never let those setbacks deflect him from the path he had chosen, made sure the players could see the summit and more importantly reach it.
Given he takes responsibility for the whole group as manager, it’s an effort Giggs should be even more proud of than even the plethora of top-level medals he won with Manchester United.
A legend as a Wales player, he has ensured his name is already becoming enshrined into folklore as a manager too.
Giggs sprang something of a surprise when, in order to accommodate the return of Allen, he chose to leave out teen midfield star Ethan Ampadu and plumped instead for Lincoln’s Joe Morrell as the Stoke man’s midfield partner.
Ampadu and Morrell each played well in the 2-0 win over Azerbaijan and it was harsh to drop either man, but Allen clearly had to come back into the fold with his suspension served and nagging doubts about
Ampadu’s fitness swung the day.
The other inevitability in Giggs’ line-up was the most welcome presence of Ramsey, starting a game for the first time in this qualifying campaign. Again, it was rough justice on Harry Wilson, who scored and set up the other goal for Kieffer Moore out in Baku, but someone had to miss out and it couldn’t be any of the others.
So the scene was set, a capacity crowd, a stirring rendition of the national anthem A cappella style and real hope that this time it would be different in terms of the final outcome.
Giggs’ Wales certainly played with a flourish and freedom early on, showing none of the signs of pressure that haunted sides on these occasions in the past.
And any nerves that were present seemed to be settled further on 15 minutes when Wales raced into an early lead, courtesy of the returning Ramsey.
It was a brilliant goal, a move started on the right by Allen and carried on by Roberts who set Bale rampaging away down the flank. His pinpoint cross was met by Ramsey, rising majestically in the middle to glance a header past Gulacsi and into the Hungarian net.
What a moment for Wales and for Ramsey, his joyous celebration with first the fans in the Grange End, then the Grandstand having a real feel of ‘I’m back’ written over it.
At the other end of the ground, the Canton End burst into a rendition of ‘Kieefer, Kieffer Moore,’ believing the
big man had scored the goal.
Well, it was at the opposite end... and Ramsey’s leap and header were so good it had Moore’s style written over it.
Ramsey’s goal, though, it most definitely was and he was involved in another thrilling move, also involving Davies, James and Bale, which this time saw Moore glance an effort agonsingly wide.
Wales were on fire, but given a reminder of the Hungarian threat 11 minutes before the interval when they momentarily switched off in defence and Hennessey had to produce excellent stops to deny first Szoboszial, then the follow up effort by Sallai.
When Ramsey kept out that second goalbound shot there was almost as big a cheer from the worried fans as when Ramsey had scored. This time, having seen the drama unfold right in front of them, the Canton End burst into a chant of ‘Wayne Hennessey.’
Well deserved it was too, he had ensured Wales went in at half-time a goal to the good and Giggs’ men received the huge ovation coming their way as they walked towards the dressing room.
Job half done, could Wales complete it and send a nation into Euro dreamland again?
Within two minutes of the restart they had doubled their lead, Moore flicking a Davies free kick into Ramsey’s path and the Juventus man made no mistake from close range, one touch to control the ball, another to create an angle and a third for the devastating finish into the top of the net.
That was it, believe it or not, game over already and a sense of celebrations rocking around the ground. Wales were utterly dominant from thereon in, Ramsey could have grabbed a third, others had further opportunties but they had already done the job required of them.
And with plenty of swagger too. What a night. Bring on the Euros.