MX23RW : Friday, December 13 07:10:37| >> :600:1173648:1173648:
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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

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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
Q Spain Spain870121
Q Scotland flag Scotland852117
3 Norway Norway832311
4 Georgia Georgia82248
5 Cyprus Cyprus80080

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France871022
Q Netherlands Netherlands860218
3 Greece Greece841313
4 Ireland Rep. Ireland82066
5 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar80080

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England862020
Q Italy Italy842214
3 Ukraine Ukraine842214
4 Macedonia N. Macedonia82248
5 Malta flag Malta80080

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Turkey Turkey852117
Q Croatia Croatia851216
3 Wales flag Wales833212
4 Armenia Armenia82248
5 Latvia Latvia81073

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Albania national flag Albania843115
Q Czech Republic Czech Republic843115
3 Poland Poland832311
4 Republic of Moldova Moldova824210
5 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands80262

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Belgium Belgium862020
Q Austria Austria861119
3 Sweden Sweden831410
4 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan82157
5 Estonia Estonia80171

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Hungary Hungary853018
Q Serbia Serbia842214
3 Montenegro Montenegro832311
4 Lithuania Lithuania81346
5 Bulgaria Bulgaria80444

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Denmark Denmark1071222
Q Slovenia Slovenia1071222
3 Finland Finland1060418
4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan1060418
5 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland103079
6 San Marino flag San Marino1000100

Group I

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania1064022
Q Switzerland Switzerland1045117
3 Israel Israel1043315
4 Belarus Belarus1033412
5 Kosovo flag Kosovo1025311
6 Andorra flag Andorra100282

Group J

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal10100030
Q Slovakia Slovakia1071222
3 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg1052317
4 Iceland Iceland1031610
5 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina103079
6 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein1000100


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