WALES REFUSE TO GIVE UP ON THE KNOCKOUTS

BRENNAN JOHNSON insists Wales can shock England and keep their World Cup dream alive.

Wales’ hopes of making the knockout stages were left hanging by a thread after losing 2-0 to Iran.

England’s goalless draw with the United States on Friday night means that Wales still have a path to the round of 16, but qualification is out of their own hands unless they beat Gareth Southgate’s side by a four-goal margin.

More realistically, Wales must beat England on Tuesday — something they have not achieved since 1984 — while hoping Iran and United States draw their final game.

That would see Wales finish behind England and above Iran in second spot on goal difference, the first deciding factor for teams on equal number of points at this World Cup.

On extending Wales’ World Cup stay, Johnson said: ‘It’s going to take a win against England for us to have a chance. We don’t know what’s going to happen, but we do know that all the boys are going to give it everything they’ve got. We can beat them.’

Wales went into the Iran game buoyed by a second-half revival against the USA that earned them a 1-1 draw but they were second best against the Iranians.

‘Losing this game just wasn’t good enough,’ said winger Johnson. ‘We know what it will take now — a big effort from everyone.’