Here’s Ben Fisher’s report from Cardiff.
Two goals from Harry Wilson meant Wales climbed up to second in Group D as their revival under Rob Page continued
Updated
Sun 15 Oct 2023 17.11 EDT
First published on Sun 15 Oct 2023 13.45 EDT
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Key events
Ben Davies is quoted by the BBC: “Our backs were against the wall and we knew what we had to do coming into the game. It’s a big night but it means nothing if we don’t back it up next month. We’ve shown our spirit over and over again. We came out tonight and put a good performance in.”
Rob Page spoke to S4C in Wales: “From the first minute right to the 95th, we had to dig deep. With the help of the supporters, we have made it another great night for the lads.I couldn’t be any more proud of them. Actions speak louder than words.
“I’m sick and tired of having to keep coming on and talk about my future. Let’s just talk about the lads and the performances they have put in. I get emotional because I’m so proud of them and they deserve all the plaudits they are going to get. We can’t wait to meet up for the next game.”
Simon McMahon gets in touch: “I can barely see now, John, I’ve drank so much, but Spain are ahead in Norway, so it’s all good. See you in Germany. Do they do beer there?…Wales in the unenviable position of being the Scotland of this particular qualifying campaign. Good luck!”
The news from elsewhere is that Scotland will be at Euro 2024. Fire up the Del Amitri.
Full-time: Wales 2-1 Croatia
What a night. Harry Wilson’s two goals got the job done and now Wales must beat Armenia away and Turkey at home to be at the Euros. That’s one of the biggest wins in Wales’ history, and against the odds, too.
90+5 min: Just a minute to see out now for Wales…Rob Page looks worried. Big cheers as Ward again has the ball…that’s it, Wales have done it
90+4 min: Jordan James hacks clear. The desperate hours now, and Ward again dives to the ball and will sit on it for as long as possible as Beljo nods down.
90+3 min: Croatia on the attack, and Mepham, in agony, closes down Pastalic. It’s enough.
90+2 min: Jordan James concedes a corner, but this time Modric can’t find anyone. Then Mepham intercepts a Modric ball before Ward – full-length – takes a fair catch.
90 min: Wales get in a muddle in front of the Croatia box, and then a counter goes down the other end. There are five minutes left of time added on.
89 min: Dan James fouled by Brozovic who is then booked for complaining to the referee. The Welsh fans are now singing their hearts out, collective anxiety dispelled.
88 min: Chris Mepham has an injury, so does Conor Roberts, who was hit in the er, vitals, by the ball. He’s bent double and singing soprano.
87 min: Broadhead takes the corner, and Croatia clear it, and then Jordan James commits an obvious tactical foul. He takes the yellow card with pleasure.
86 min: The free-kick is aimed at Moore but eventually cleared. Wales press high up in the corners and Ampadu wins the ball back, and then Moore wins a corner.
84 min: Anxiety now reigns at the home of Cardiff City. Ampadu wins a free-kick from Sosa to widespread applause.
83 min: Modric has another shot – clattered miles over.
82 min: Rodon makes a fine defensive header. Croatia have a corner, this one is knocked clear by Kieffer Moore. Modric has a shot as the ball is recycled and Jordan James puts his face on the line to block it.
80 min: Harry Wilson pulls up with cramp, and despite Croatia’s efforts to hurry him off, he takes his time over getting up. The two-goal man leaves the field and Nathan Broadhead comes on instead.
79 min: Chances at both ends…Neco Williams has a dig but can’t find the target – or Kieffer Moore.
78 min: Croatia, at last, are playing good stuff, and Modric sets up Beljo to head wide. Here comes a very long last 12 minutes.
77 min: A real stroke of misfortune in that Croatia goal, but Wales had begun to sit off. They restart by pressing further up the pitch.
Goal! Wales 2-1 Croatia (Palasic, 76)
Ward’s hand gets to the ball from Beljo snap shot, and then from the corner, Modric finds Kieffer Moore to assist Palasic to head home.
75 min: Wales have 15 minutes plus change to claim a famous win and a lifeline. Croatia are – and belatedly – finding their rhythm.
74 min: There’s pictures of Croatia fans in facepaint. Is there a sadder sight in sport than the downcast fan whose facepaint has run?
72 min: Moore tries to set the Dan James train off but can’t keep the ball down. There are aching gaps as Croatia commit forward. Brozovic clatters the ball behind and their coach and fans all look despondent.
70 min: Modric comes to the fore, at last, but is indecisive as he pumps the ball into the box. Not much magic there.
68 min: Ward makes a diving catch, and sits on the ball for a while, and yet he also launches a wildcat attack. Dan James is motoring, and cuts inside and then shoots just wide.
67 min: Croatia flash the ball across goal from Majer, the first flicker of danger from them for quite a while.
64 min: Wilson, on a hat-trick, and strutting with supreme confidence, tries to play in Dan James. Jordan James, meanwhile, has been excellent in midfield. His new manager is Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City.
62 min: Simon McMahon adds his usual Caledonian take: “Hi John. Are we going to the Norway v Spain qualifier for the second half? Cos unless Norway find a winner, and I mean it’s not like they’ve got any goal scorers in their team is it, Scotland will be going to Germany next year. Yes sir, I can boogie. I have a dream! Come on Scotland! I’m totally steaming by the way. In case you hadn’t noticed. But come on Spain, come on Scotland!”
A friend at the game has described Erling Haaland as a “cod”. I don’t think that’s a compliment.
61 min: Luka Modric, these days bearded, looks sick as a parrot.
Goal! Wales 2-0 Croatia (Williams, 60)
For the second time, a Croat sub is immediately followed by a Wales goal. Vida heads clear and Dan James gets his cross in perfectly and in steps Wilson to head in. Pandemonium in the principality.
60 min: On comes Sosa for Croatia, replacing Barisic.
58 min: Some aerial bombardment from Croatia, and Wales get their headers in first. Brozovic tries one from long range, and misses.
57 min: The signal goes out that Brooks will go off, and on comes the pace of Dan James, in form of late. Gvardiol, the Manchester City defender, has had his struggles all match.
54 min: Brooks and Wilson almost link up again, but that may be the last we see of Brooks, who has played well. Croatia haven’t had an answer to their movement.
51 min: Wales’ energy levels have been hugely impressive but will they come at a cost. They’re in a fine position for a first ever defeat of Croatia.
49 min: Kieffer Moore has a fleeting chance, too. Wales look to push on, Croatia look to be rocking on their heels.
48 min: That’s what Wales were looking for in the first half and found it with their very first attack of the second. Harry Wilson scored that on the occasion of his 50th cap.
Goal! Wales 1-0 Croatia (Wilson, 47)
Long ball pumped for Wilson, all the way from Danny Ward, Moore flicks on, Brooks plays his part and a lovely, looped finish from Wilson.
46 min: Triple change for Croatia – Pasalic, Beljo and Stanisic on, Juranovic, Brekalo and Musa off. Zlatko Dalić clearly not impressed by what he saw. Beljo gets an early chance, but it’s closed down.
Half-time: Wales 0-0 Croatia
No time added on, as it’s been full of action and flowing play, mostly from Wales, who have gone close on a couple of occasions though might wonder if they need more of a cutting edge to get past the Croats, who don’t look in very good nick. All to play for.
44 min: Yes, things have slowed down a touch, with Croatia having Wales’ measure only for a long ball to be aimed for Wilson and it takes Juranovic to chase back and avert the danger.
42 min: Comedy as the linesman loses his flag when Juranovic is clearly offside. Least we can laugh at these things.
41 min: Roberts looks to launch the ball down the line from a throw. Wales look a little gassed out.