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Wales national football team
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Oct 13, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Croatia national football team

1-1

Bale (45')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Vlasic (9')

Wales vs. Croatia: The key talking points

Wales vs. Croatia: The key talking points
© Reuters
Croatia will qualify for the finals of Euro 2020 with a Cardiff win.

Manager Ryan Giggs has plenty to ponder ahead of Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying clash with Croatia in Cardiff.

It comes just 72 hours after Wales' pulsating 1-1 draw with Slovakia in Trnava, and Giggs' side seeking to close ground on the top-two.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Group E fixture.

Stick or twist?

Albania v Wales – International Friendly – Elbasan Arena
Harry Wilson is expected to come into the Wales line-up to take on Croatia (Adam Davy/PA)

Wales produced one of their best performances under Giggs in Slovakia. But the quick turnaround in fixtures makes it difficult for him to simply say 'same again'. Ethan Ampadu was 'leggy' in Trnava according to Giggs, and Jonny Williams was on the end of some heavy Slovak challenges. Both were substituted in the second half and could make way. Harry Wilson will probably be one new face as Giggs recognises that he might have to "freshen things up".

Ramsey's race against time

Albania v Wales – International Friendly – Elbasan Arena
Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey faces a late fitness test on a groin injury (Adam Davy/PA)

Another day, another Aaron Ramsey fitness update. The Juventus midfielder stayed at home to work on his fitness as Wales headed out to Slovakia. Ramsey, troubled by a groin problem, trained away from the rest of the squad on Saturday and Wales will take a decision on him just hours before the Croatia game. It would be a huge boost for Wales if he were passed fit to feature in the campaign for the first time.

Tight race to finish line

  1. Croatia - 13 points
  2. Slovakia - 10
  3. Hungary - 9
  4. Wales - 7
  5. Azerbaijan - 1

Wales have found themselves in one of the most competitive groups in Euro 2020 qualifying. Croatia would secure qualification courtesy of a Cardiff victory, with Slovakia, Hungary and Wales probably battling it out for second spot. Three closing wins would see Wales make it, but two could be enough – even if they lose to Croatia. Slovakia still have to go to Croatia. Wales have a game in hand on the top three and a possibly crucial head-to-head advantage over Slovakia.

Moore to come

Wigan's Kieffer Moore was a revelation on his first competitive appearance in Slovakia. The 6ft 5ins striker held the ball up, brought others into play and capped his performance with an excellent first-half headed goal. Moore suffered a cut head for his troubles, but the former part-time lifeguard looks capable of making a splash for some time to come. As he admitted himself after the game, there are not many players like him in international football.

Masterful Modric

England v Croatia – UEFA Nations League – Group A4 – Wembley Stadium
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is Croatia's talisman (Mike Egerton/PA)

Wales have had good cause to rue the ability of Luka Modric down the years. Modric has often been the difference between the two sides – Croatia beating Wales 2-0, 2-1 and 2-1 in recent World Cup and European Championship qualifiers. The midfield magician dominated the opening hour of Croatia's victory against Wales in June. But the 2018 Ballon d'or winner is now 34 and noticeably tired late on during that Osijek win for Wales to seize control. Can Wales finally curtail Modric's influence?

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Gareth Bale during a Wales training session on October 12, 2019
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Cyprus Cyprus00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Norway Norway00000
Q Scotland flag Scotland00000
Q Spain Spain00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France00000
2 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar00000
3 Greece Greece00000
Q Netherlands Netherlands00000
5 Ireland Rep. Ireland00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England00000
Q Italy Italy00000
3 Malta flag Malta00000
4 Macedonia N. Macedonia00000
5 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Armenia Armenia00000
Q Croatia Croatia00000
3 Latvia Latvia00000
Q Turkey Turkey00000
5 Wales flag Wales00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Albania national flag Albania00000
Q Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
3 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands00000
4 Republic of Moldova Moldova00000
5 Poland Poland00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria00000
2 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan00000
Q Belgium Belgium00000
4 Estonia Estonia00000
5 Sweden Sweden00000

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Bulgaria Bulgaria00000
Q Hungary Hungary00000
3 Lithuania Lithuania00000
4 Montenegro Montenegro00000
Q Serbia Serbia00000

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Denmark Denmark00000
2 Finland Finland00000
3 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan00000
4 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland00000
5 San Marino flag San Marino00000
Q Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group I

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Andorra flag Andorra00000
2 Belarus Belarus00000
3 Israel Israel00000
4 Kosovo flag Kosovo00000
Q Romania Romania00000
Q Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group J

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina00000
2 Iceland Iceland00000
3 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein00000
4 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg00000
Q Portugal Portugal00000
Q Slovakia Slovakia00000


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