Key events
Ben Fisher’s report has just dropped. With that I’ll diolch a nos da.
What a performance from Wales. Their game against Poland – who beat Estonia 5-1 – on Tuesday will be epic! I can’t wait for that one.
Hope you enjoyed that. Thanks to all who wrote in and apologies to those who didn’t get a nod on the blog. I read them all and appreciated every word.
Catch you next time.
Next up is the Welsh boss, Rob Page:
We got off the best possible start. We had to address a couple of things at half time and were better in the second half. It could have been five or six. But the message is that this is half-time. We’ve now got a massive effort to go on Tuesday and we can’t wait!
We were disappointed with the goal we conceded. It made for an uncomfortable few minutes but the start of the second half was excellent.
We’ve got players playing at their club and scoring goals.
Not seen the Williams hit? How about this, eh?
Here’s Neco Williams who, is, mercifully, speaking in English:
It was a great performance. We came into this game with a game plan and I think it worked out as good as it can go. The onmly negative is that we conceded but when you score four goals it puts you in a good place.
[On his thunderous free kick goal] It wasn’t planned or anything, it was just instinct. I was happy to score for my country. It’s always a special feeling when you put on this shirt. To score is just the cherry on the top. It was an excellent performance all round.
[On Poland]. We won our semi-final and we have a final on Tuesday. Hopefully we put on a good performance to see us through to the Euos.
Credit to the Finns. They’ve stuck around and are brandishing their blue and white scarves.
Full-time: Wales 4-1 Finland
Wales are through and will face Poland for a spot in the Euros. Accomplished from start to finish. Four different scorers. The first goal recorded three minutes after the opening whistle. The last slotted home four minutes from time. Between that they bossed it and are more than deserving winners.
90+6 min: Oh, there’s a chance for Finland as a cross/shot slides across the goal. But no one is there to tap it home.
90+5 min: Time for a yellow card for Moore who has thrown his 6 foot, 5 inch frame about. Here’s he’s leaping with a wafting elbow and sees yellow.
90+4 min: A mention for Neco Williams who, like a few lads in red, has impressed. Let’s be honest. Finland have not been up to much. But they’ve needed putting away and Wales have done just that.
90+1 min: James has been a menace since he came on. As they say in Pakistani cricket, pace is pace yaar. He wins a free-kick up the pitch.
Six added minutes before we call time on this.
90 min: Wilson gets his send-off. he deserves one. A bustiling brilliant game for his country. Nathan broadhead comes on.
Colum Fordham likes what he’s seeing:
“Nice to see that Wales, after losing some of their greats like Gareth Bale and Joe Allen, have got some highly promising youngsters: Harry Wilson, who was clearly a major talent when at Derby County and Neco Williams, who impressed at Liverpool and is one of their many gifted Academy players.
This match looks signed, sealed and delivered. Let’s hope they can do the business on Wednesday. Will be a much tougher ask.”
And, as requested, here’s a shout-out to Welsh fan Jude, who is married to Colum’s cousin Matthew.
GOAL! Wales 4-1 Finland (D James, 87)
A gift! And now that is that. What a calamity at the back for Finland. It’s just a long ball that Tenho takes an age to control. He is oblivious to James running in behind and by the time he realises he’s had his pocket pinched. James scampers past, rounds Hradecky and slides in the exclamation mark on the match.
85 min: Dan James is unleashed down the left. He’s sprinting away, into the box. Runners back in field but he’s only got one thing on his mind. Cuts onto his right but the curling shot is weak. Easy save from Hradecky.
NO GOAL! Wales 3-1 Finland
It’s been reversed! I’m not entirely sure why. Did the ball cross the line? Was Hradecky fouled. I think it did go over but maybe the keeper was impeded there. Either way, we’re back to 3-1.
But wait! They’re checking. Could be ruled out.
GOAL! Wales 4-1 Finland (Davies, 80)
Game over! It’s bundled over the line at the back post from the corner. It’s the skipper who gets up and thumps a header. Hradecky saves it but can only push it onto the post and it falls just over the line.
79 min: Dan James does well to whip in a cross from the right. It doesn’t find a runner but does cause some panic for Alho who bundles it away for a corner.
77 min: Through will, rather than accurate passing, Finland work the ball to the edge of the Welsh box. A few heavy touches and passes eventually lands for the substitute Antman who spins and shoots. It’s blocked. Been that sort of night for the visitors who just haven’t been sharp enough.
75 min: Dan James has a quarter chance at the back post as a loose ball bobbles for a moment before Hradecky gathers.
Meanwhile, Poland have taken a 4-0 lead over 10-man Estonia. Safe to say that was is done and dusted.
74 min: A tasty free kick is whipped in and Moore simply misses his header having made the near post run. Just beaten for pace, really. Finland hack it away. Anywhere will do so Wales get a corner.
73 min: Daniel James comes on for Brennan Johnson. Finland make a change too with Schuller leaving the midfield for Karinen.
71 min: Moore fires straight at Hradecky. The angle was against him, especially when he went with his left foot. Hit it hard enough but couldn’t find the narrow gap beyond the ‘keeper. Lovely build up. Johnson dropping deep to help, Williams on the charge, Wilson heavily involved. But it was Ampadu’s pass that set Moore on his way.
70 min: Finland have seemingly run out of ideas. Kamara stands still with the ball and plays a hopeful pass forward. It meets Welsh resistance and now Wales can build a move. Finland appear resigned to defeat. Why aren’t they making any changes?
68 min: Hakans is booked for diving! It looked like a foul in real time. And Rodon definitely puts an arm out as Hakans bursts across him after getting to the ball first. But it is a theatrical fall and I’ve got no complaints with that booking.
67 min: All rather comfy for the home team. Finland with all the ball. I’d say Kamara was bossing things if the score wasn’t what it is. But they can’t get beyond that final line of defence. It’s all in front of Wales.
65 min: Corner for Finland. You feel something has to break for them soon.
64 min: Pukki falls to his knees as a misplaced pass is easily dealt with. He’s been asked to chase lost corners and is surrounded by at least two defenders every time he gets the ball. This time he does well to hold off Davies but can’t find a teammate.
Wilson gets in the book with a mistimed challenge.
62 min: OH HARRY WILSON! Look, it wasn’t a gimme but he did so well to work the space after pouncing on a loose ball and charging into the box that you expected him to score. A quick shift and it’s onto his left foot. He’s aiming for the far corner but can’t get the curve needed to squeeze it in. He admonishes himself as he contemplates the miss.
62 min: Kamara once again links up with Hakans on the overlap. But nothin’ doin from that move.
60 min: It’s not Wilson but the early goal scorer Brooks who makes way with a standing ovation from the home supporters. Kieffer Moore enters the scene.
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
