Wales have travelled to Yerevan to take on Armenia in their penultimate Euro 2024 qualifier knowing they need to win or else risk losing out on an automatic spot at the tournament to Croatia.
Rob Page’s side are currently second in Group D, sitting in the automatic qualification places with two matches to play but they are level on points with the 2018 World Cup finalists. Having beaten Croatia in Cardiff last month, Wales have a better head-to-head record against them meaning they will qualify for the tournament if they defeat Armenia this afternoon and Turkey on Tuesday evening.
Aaron Ramsey, still out with an injured knee tendon, has travelled with the Welsh squad and his experience of crunch games will be invaluable to the team according to manager Page. The pressure is on Team Cymru who have made a habit of qualifying for recent major tournaments. Should they drop points today, then automatic qualification is out of their hands and they may be forced to rely on a play-off.
Follow all the action with our live blog below plus get the latest odds and tips on Armenia vs Wales right here:
Armenia 1-0 Wales
29 mins: Some sloppy passing from Wales during their build-up play is costing them at the moment. The midfield duo of Ampadu and James are seeing passes going astray.
They’ve largely quietened Armenia in attack since the early goal though.
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:31
Armenia 1-0 Wales
25 mins: It has been a generally decent response by Wales since falling behind, which makes the early goal all the more frustrating. Moore is the focal point and outlet ball up front. He’s taking a bit of a battering from Haroyan and the other Armenia defenders.
Armenia are playing some nice stuff though. They’ve never lost to Wales in three matches between the sides, remember.
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:27
CLOSE! Armenia 1-0 Wales
20 mins: Bichakhchyan strides forward with the ball and isn’t closed down by a Welsh shirt. Once he’s 25 yards out he takes a dig and it’s just wide of a sprawling Ward’s post.
Then at the other end, a cross comes in from the left and Moore rises highest but his header is well off target, wide of the right-hand post.
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:22
Armenia 1-0 Wales
15 mins: Better again. Moore chases the ball into the channel and pinches off a dithering Armenia defender. Williams in in support and wins a corner as his shot is deflected wide.
Another good corner not properly cleared and Brooks tries to get the ball out of his feet but the dark red swarm stop him getting a shot away.
Moore has taken a blow to the face and needs a bit of a clean-up operation to clear the blood
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:18
Armenia 1-0 Wales
14 mins: Neco Williams takes on Dashyan down the left and is clumsily brought down for a free-kick. Wilson curls it into a dangerous area but Armenia head it away.
Brooks takes the ball to the by-line and clips it back across the area but Armenia again hold firm. Better from Wales though
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:16
WATCH: Armenia take the lead
Here’s the moment Armenia took an early lead in Yerevan.
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:14
Armenia 1-0 Wales
10 mins: Wales struggling to get a real foothold here in Yerevan. Ampadu misplaces a pass out of play and that sums up the performance so far. Aside from that Brooks shot, they’ve offered little
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:12
CLOSE! Armenia 1-0 Wales
7 mins: That’s better from Wales. A good response to falling one behind as they win an attacking throw. It’s hurled long into the box by Roberts and comes out to Brooks on the edge of the area.
He fires in a shot which is only inches over the bar with Armenian keeper Cancarevic desperately leaping but unable to get anything on it
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:11
GOAL! Armenia 1-0 Wales (Lucas Zelarayan, 5 mins)
5 mins: Oh no! That’s not what Wales needed at all. Bichakhchyan whips in the corner, Rodon’s header is straight up in the air, it’s beautifully brought down by Lucas Zelarayan, he cuts across the edge of the box and fires a shot into the bottom right corner beyond a diving Danny Ward. Disaster
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:09
Armenia 0-0 Wales
4 mins: Joy down the right for Armenia as Bichakhchyan gets past his man but the cross is blocked for a corner.
Luke Baker18 November 2023 14:07
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.