Wales v Croatia Live Blog

Welcome to this live blog of the Euro 2024 Qualifier in group D between Wales and Croatia. Kickoff at the Cardiff City Stadium is at 19:45.

Wales have never beaten Croatia in any of the 7 games played between the nations.

The last time these 2 nations met was on matchday 1 of the same competition. Wales stole a point thanks to a goal in the 90+3^rd minute from Nathan Broadhead. The game ended 1-1.

Croatia are 3 points above Wales in the group. They currently hold one of the 2 qualification berths for Euro 2026.

Croatia have lost 2 of their last 7 games in all competitions, including a loss on penalties in the UEFA Nations League Final to Spain.

Similarly, Wales have also lost 2 of their last 7 games in all competitions.

Let’s take a look at how both sides will line up:

Wales (5-2-3): Danny Ward, Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ben Davies (C), Jordan James, Harry Wilson, Ethan Ampadu, Neco Williams, David Brooks, Keiffer Moore.

Croatia (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic, Borna Barisic, Josko Gvardiol, Domagoj Vida, Josip Juranovic, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric (C), Josip Brekalo, Petar Musa, Lovro Majer.

Just the national anthems of Wales and Croatia to be sung now before Kickoff.

KICK-OFF

1 min: A positive start straight from kick off for Wales sees a Neco Willams cross sent in from the left wing which is comfortably claimed by Livakovic in goal.

2 mins: Connor Roberts launches in a trademark long throw-in from the right, testing the Croatian back line. Ampadu lunges in illegally and Croatia win a free kick.

6 mins: Kovacic clatters Wilson on the halfway line with a cynical foul to prevent a counter attack.

8 mins: Both sides are looking sharp in this crucial fixture. Wales are getting some success high up in the channels through long balls.

10 mins: Croatia are trying to keep possession, opting for a slower build up than their opponents. A lovely combination on the right between Juranovic, Modric and Majer progress their side up the pitch.

11 mins: Wales win the ball back and retain possession through some fantastic midfield work between Ampadu and James.

12 mins: Wilson flicks the ball over the head of Manchester City center back Gvardiol, before playing a lofted switch to Williams on the left. He slips in Brooks who’s cross is blocked. Promising stuff from Cymru!

13 mins: The Red Wall are buoyed by that latest attack. Chants of “Brooks will tear you apart again” ring out in the Cardiff City Stadium.

15 mins: Croatia are struggling to break down a resolute Welsh defensive unit. They have little option but to play the ball around in their own half. They will have to be more a lot braver in possession to get a chance on goal.

18 mins: Modric shows his class to beat the Welsh press using a series of body feints and quick passes. Astonishing from the 38-year-old!

18 mins: First chance for the visitors. Musa heads a cross over the bar under heavy pressure from Joe Rodon.

20 mins: Jordan James relieves pressure through a clearance which is surprisingly mis-controlled by former Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric- he is human after all! Roberts will get another chance at a long throw.

20 mins: Great length on the throw but it’s easily cleared by Croatia.

21 mins: Ampadu plays a pin-point accurate switch over to Books on the right, he checks inside before slipping in Wilson who is fouled just on the edge of the D. Big chance for Wales from the resulting free kick.

23 mins: YELLOW CARD. Domagoj Vida is shown a yellow card by the referee. Meanwhile, both Williams and Wilson stand over the free kick.

24 mins: Wilson forces Livakovic into a spectacular diving save to the keepers left. Corner to Wales.

24 mins: The first corner leads to a second. Pressure is building on the Croatia goal.

25 mins: Welsh fans are really responding to the team now, turning the volume up significantly in Cardiff.

27 mins: The World Cup 2022 bronze medalists are still having trouble against Wales’s back 5. Chief playmaker Modric is dropping so deep to receive the ball it looks like he’s playing in defence.

29 mins: Williams bares down on Juranovic before flicking the ball to Wilson who delivers a teasing ball toward an onrushing Roberts. Gvardiol bravely heads away the danger. Fantastic defending from the 21-year-old.

30 mins: Chance for Wales. Wison and Williams are causing Croatia’s right back a headache. They combine once again creating a chance for the latter to cut inside and unleash a powerful drive from outside of the box. It is saved low to the right of the goal.

33 mins: Croatia retain possession but Neco Williams wins it back for Wales with some dogged defensive work.

34 mins: Ampadu drops to the ground after being pushed by a frustrated looking Musa who’s barely touched the ball.

37 mins: The frustrated challenges continue from Croatia. They have to be careful not to let the game get away from them. Brozovic elbows Keiffer Moore in the back on this occasion.

40 mins: Mepham and Brekalo engage in what looks like a very aggressive looking hug. The Bournemouth defender wins the foul before giving Brekalo a little shove.

43 mins: It’s been a while since we’ve seen a chance here as Brekalo tries a very speculative shot from distance straight into a Welsh defender.

44 mins: Almost a big chance. Real route one stuff as Ward kicks long to the towering Keiffer Moore, whose flick on is just a few inches too far from the flying boot of Brooks.

45 mins: No time to be added at the end of the first half.

45 mins: The referee blows the whistle before Ward get the chance to take a goal kick

HALF TIME: Wales 0-0 Croatia

45 mins: SUBSTITUTION. Croatia make a triple substitution. Brekalo, Juranovic and Musa make way for Pasalic, Stanisic and Beljo.

46 mins: The second half is underway in Cardiff.

47 mins: GOAL TO WALES. After threatening all game long; Wilson finally gets on the scoresheet. Brooks hooks on a long ball towards Wilson who delicately lifts the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net. Wales 1-0 Croatia.

50 mins: Wales are not setting for just one goal here- they are all over Croatia! James shows amazing strength to win the ball back in the middle of the park before skillfully avoiding a sliding tackle. He crosses the ball toward Moore who is unable to trouble the goalkeeper.

51 mins: Croatia looked stunned after Wales rapidly counter attacked following a corner. Livakovic awkwardly sees a clearance ricochet off a Welsh forward for a throw in.

56 mins: Croatia get a turn in possession now. They have Wales pegged deep into their own half but still fail to create any chances.

57 mins: SUBSTITUTION. Brooks has been withdrawn following a heavy tackle. He is walking off the field so it doesn’t look to be too serious. Leeds United winger Dan James is his replacement.

59 mins: Brozovic fires well wide from outside the box. Wales fans jeer the poor attempt.

59 mins: SUBSTITUTION. Barisic is substituted from the field to be replaced by Sosa.

60 mins: GOAL TO WALES. Wilson scores again! Dan James floats in an in-swinging cross from the left wing, which is flicked on into the right of the goal. Livakovic doesn’t even move. Wales 2-0 Croatia.

62 mins: Wales are in dreamland here- 2-0 up against the 2018 World Cup finalists.

65 mins: Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić must change something here. His side are looking hopeless so far.

67 mins: So close from Croatia. Pasalic fails to connect with a Lovro Majer cross just in front of the 6-yard line.

68 mins: James uses his electric pace to receive a Willams ball in the left channel. The substitute winger cuts inside and unleashes a curling effort just past the post.

69 mins: Croatia’s captain Modric finds himself in some space inside the box, and looked to picked out a late runner. Jordan James tracks the run and clears the danger before whipping up the crowd behind the goal.

72 mins: What on earth is Brozovic doing there? The Croatian midfielder played a wayward cross into the box- nowhere near any of his teammates.

75 mins: BIG CHANCE. Huge save from Danny Ward! Pasalic dinks a ball in toward the substitute Beljo who makes a sliding connection with the ball. Ward stands tall and instinctively throws out his right hand to make the save.

75 mins: LIFELINE FOR CROATIA! Pasalic is completely free at the back post to head in a flick on following a corner. Wales 2-1 Croatia.

78 mins: Dion Beljo puts a completely free header wide. Wales will consider themselves lucky to remain in front there.

79 mins: Neco Williams easily glides past Brozovic, before flashing a teasing ball across the face of goal. Unfortunately for Wales, nobody was on the end of it.

81 mins: SUBSTITUTION. Wilson is substituted to a standing innovation from the Welsh fans, his goals are still the difference in this game. Nathan Broadhead comes on in his place.

82 mins: Modric sits Williams down with a left footed fake shot before rolling the ball onto his other foot for a shot on goal. Jordan James rises to block it.

83 mins: Modric again skillfully beats a Welsh player before blazing a volley high and wide of Danny Ward’s goal.

85 mins: Joe Rodon receives a huge cheer from the crowd for blocking a Croatian clearance following a free kick. Great to hear the crowd appreciating the Welsh defensive effort.

86 mins: YELLOW CARD. Jordan James cynically fouls Pasalic to prevent a counter attack. He receives a yellow card for his troubles.

87 mins: Roberts bravely rises to stop a cross coming in from the left wing. Unfortunately for him, the ball hits him square on in his private parts.

89 mins: YELLOW CARD. Brozovic fouls Dan James for a free kick and throws his fist in the air in anger at the decision. He receives a yellow card.

90 mins: 5 MINUTES INJURY TIME. Wales will have to hold on for an additional 5 minutes.

92 mins: Croatia pile the pressure onto Wales who have all 11 players behind the ball. Danny Ward catches a cross to relieve the pressure on his goal. It Is met with a huge cheer.

94 mins: Ward catches another headed attempt on goal. Wales are ending this game on the back foot.

95 mins: It is Ward’s turn to have his name chanted around the Cardiff City Stadium. He once again has the ball in his possession.

FULL TIME: Wales 2-1 Croatia

Harry Wilson was a Welsh wizard on his 50^th international appearance, conjuring up his 7^th and 8^th goals for the Dragons.

Despite dominating in possession, with over 70%, Croatia failed to create enough chances. They fall to a 2^nd consecutive defeat in Euro Qualifying.

Rob Page’s side climb above Croatia to 2^nd place in the table.

Wales travel to Armenia before a crucial fixture against top of the table Turkey. Croatia also have to play Armenia, but not before an away game against last placed Latvia.

This concludes the live coverage of Wales v Croatia.