Wales v Finland LIVE: Result and final score after Euro 2024 play-off semi-final
Wales took a major step towards this summer’s European Championship in Germany and now face Poland in Tuesday’s play-off final
Wales beat Finland tonight in the Euro 2024 play-off semi-finals as they bid to join England and Scotland in the tournament this summer. David Brooks, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson and Dan James got on the scoresheet in a comprehensive 4-1 win.
Rob Page’s side have now qualified for a play-off final against Poland on Tuesday, also in Cardiff, after the Poles beat Estonia. The winner of that match will book their place at the Euros.
Wales qualified for both of the past two European Championships, memorably reaching the semi-finals in France in 2016 where they were beaten by eventual champions Portugal, before they were knocked out by Denmark in the round of 16 in the delayed Euro 2020. Wales also qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but failed to win a game and were knocked out in the group stage.
Follow all the latest reaction from Wales v Finland in their Euro 2024 play-off semi-final below.
GOAL! Wales 2-0 Finland (Williams, 38)
After some pushing and shoving in the wall is dealt with by the referee, the set-piece is finally taken. Wilson steps forwards but throws everyone with a little backheel, and Neco Williams arrives to bend a beautiful finish into the top corner. Brilliantly done.
Wales 1-0 Finland
36 min: Another chance for Wilson now though, perhaps. Johnson is fouled by Tenho on the edge of the box in a central position, and Wilson is lining up the free-kick from about 20 yards...
Wales 1-0 Finland
34 min: Harry Wilson collects the ball 30 yards from goal and takes a couple of touches forwards into his area of threat, before unleashing a powerful shot on target. Hradecky manages to get hands behind it and parry the ball clear.
Wales 1-0 Finland
31 min: Wales are making themselves hard to play through in the centre of the pitch, so Finland are opting for direct balls towards Pukki. The latest is well cut out by Mepham.
Wales 1-0 Finland
28 min: This is a fun game with plenty of half-chances at either end, though perhaps more open than Rob Page would like.
This time it’s Wales and Brennan Johnson, bursting into the box and shrugging off a defender before firing a shot at goal, but the shot is deflected wide and he’s penalised anyway for handball in the build-up. Johnson looks perplexed but the replay suggests it bounced off his hand.
Wales 1-0 Finland
25 min: Pukki crosses for Hakans who completely miskicks the very presentable chance just inside the box. It falls for Pohjanpalo but his shot is blocked by a Welsh leg and it bounces kindly for Ward to collect.
Wales 1-0 Finland
22 min: Finland’s Robin Lod smashes through Neco Williams and that’s the first yellow card.
Wales 1-0 Finland
16 min: This has been an excellent start from Wales and they continue to look like the better side. Harry Wilson, so integral to the goal, is looking lively and he makes another dangerous dribble into the box, but this time lacks a little composure and gives it away with his pass.
Wales 1-0 Finland
A look at that David Brooks goal which has given Wales an early lead in Cardiff tonight:
Wales 1-0 Finland
11 min: A couple of big chances at either end. The first falls to Teemu Pukki who latches on to a ball over the top of the Welsh defence and fires it first time at goal with his left foot, but it’s relatively straightforward for Ward to save. Then Wilson plays in Brooks at the other end, but he can’t round the goalkeeper and finish before being tackled by a retreating defender, and it’s brought back for offside anyway.
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