After salvaging a precious point from their opening-day fixture, Wales seek a first win of Euro 2024 qualifying on Tuesday, when Group D outsiders Latvia visit Cardiff City Stadium.

Finding a stoppage-time equaliser in Split sets up Rob Page's men for an encounter with a side that were edged out in a friendly encounter with the Republic of Ireland last week.

Match preview

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The post-Gareth Bale era began with one of the trickiest trips imaginable for Wales, who were pitched against recent World Cup semi-finalists Croatia on Saturday - their hosts had also won 34 and drawn one of their previous European qualifiers on home soil.

Yet, drawing deep into their reserves of resilience, the Dragons were able to secure a draw from their first stop on the road to Germany; taking points off direct rivals for a top-two finish in the process.

Though the Croatians held a merited half-time lead at Stadion Poljud, and went on to dominate possession and also strike the crossbar, Nathan Broadhead's late leveller - Wales' only shot on target - arrived in the 93rd minute, marking quite a senior debut for the boy from Bangor.

Every point could be worth its weight in gold come the end of their Group D campaign, as notwithstanding likely also-rans Latvia and Armenia, an improving Turkey side will also pursue automatic qualification.

When Bale hung up his boots after Qatar 2022, long-time colleague Aaron Ramsey took the armband in his absence, and now the Nice midfielder should lead his teammates out against the Latvians with only a win on the agenda.

Tuesday's game in the Welsh capital marks the nations' first-ever competitive meeting - in fact, just their second all told - and Rob Page will expect to add another victory to a 2-0 friendly win back in 2004, when he was among the starters in Mark Hughes's side.

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Following their fifth-placed finish in World Cup qualifying, Latvia's most recent Nations League campaign offered them more confidence coming into 2023, as they tallied 13 points from six games to book a return to League C for next season.

Starting their group with four straight wins proved enough for the side overseen by Dainis Kazakevics to earn promotion from the competition's lowest tier, before they went on to lose November's Baltic Cup final to Iceland on penalties.

The Eleven Wolves' final preparations for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign were concluded last Friday, when they went down 3-2 to Ireland in a friendly fixture at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

Trailing by two goals midway through the first half, it seemed the Latvians were all but dead and buried, but Roberts Uldrikis pulled one back with a 25-yard rocket into the top corner and Arturs Zjuzins then equalised in first-half stoppage time. However, they conceded again when Chiedoze Ogbene struck after the interval.

Ranked 133rd in the world by FIFA, Latvia have only once before reached the Euros, back in 2004, and their chances of doing so again on this occasion are slim: the playoff route is all-but closed as a result of League D teams from last year's Nations League being denied direct access.

Team News

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After admitting he made a triple substitution in Split to prioritise winning at home to Latvia, Rob Page will name Daniel James, Harry Wilson and new captain Aaron Ramsey in his starting XI on Tuesday.

All three were all withdrawn against Croatia - with match-winner Nathan Broadhead among the replacements - but none is playing regularly at club level and are short of match-fitness. Meanwhile, seeking his 10th international goal, Kieffer Moore is set to lead the line up front.

Wayne Hennessey and Ben Davies were previously forced to withdraw from the Wales squad, while Brennan Johnson misses out due to a groin injury.

Latvia's impressive fightback against Ireland should see the bulk of their lineup retained from Friday, with Roberts Uldrikis starting alongside Vladislavs Gutkovskis in attack.

Spezia forward Raimonds Krollis, who moved to Serie A in the winter transfer window, is among those who appeared from the bench in Dublin and are now pushing for involvement from the first whistle.

At the back, Riga FC defender Antonijs Cernomordijs will captain the visitors from the heart of their defence.

Wales possible starting lineup:
Ward; Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, Williams; Ampadu, Morrell; Wilson, Ramsey, James; Moore

Latvia possible starting lineup:
Steinbors; Savalnieks, Cernomordijs, Balodis, Sorokins; Ikauniekis, Tobers, Zjuzins, Ciganiks; Uldrikis, Gutkovskis

We say: Wales 2-1 Latvia

Having overachieved by taking a point home from Croatia, it is essential for Wales to capitalise by posting three more points on Tuesday. The home side are well-placed to do so, as they are a formidable prospect in Cardiff; however, Latvia have proved they can pose a threat and have scored in each of their fixtures since the start of last year.


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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