Cymru v Finland

Euro 2024 Playoff Semi Final

Cardiff City Stadium, March 21st 2024

Stephen @stephenjbaker takes a look back at a memorable night at the CCS, but job is only half done.

A nervous Red Wall had barely settled down in their seats after another rousing anthem, when they were back on their feet celebrating David Brooks tearing the Finnish defence apart.

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A one/two between Harry Willson and Brennan Johnson, sent Wilson into the box free to make a shot on goal, only for the keeper to parry the ball out to around the penalty spot. There the waiting David Brooks was ready with a left footed volley to send the crowd into rapture.

With still less than three minutes on the clock there were a few people repeating that old football adage ‘scored too early’. Admittedly, this was mainly by older members of Y Wal Goch, who are still not used to Cymru winning important games. 35 minutes later even the most pessimistic fan started to relax.

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Cymru was given a free kick on the edge of the Finnish area. Everyone on the pitch and in the stands all expected Harry Wilson to take the free kick. Wilson ran up to take the free kick but back heeled it to the on coming Neco Williams. He brilliantly curled it into the top corner from outside the box. Stunning finish by the Full Back.

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But with only a minute left in the half, the football gods decided that they couldn’t let the Cymru fans have a relaxing half time for once. A through ball from the Finnish midfield was knocked pass the two Cymru centre backs who almost ran into each other. This left Pukki free in the box to take it towards Danny Ward and calmly slot it into the bottom corner.

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I don’t know what was said in the Cymru changing room  at half time but within the first minute Cymru was given a free kick 25 yards out from goal. Harry Wilson floated his kick towards the back post, where on the night of his 50th cap Ethan Ampadu headed the ball back to the unmarked David Brooks. He cushioned the ball towards Brennan Johnson who tapped it into an open net from a yard out.

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From then on, Cymru were in total control. In the 79th minute Ben Davies put the ball in the net, only for it to be overturned after a VAR check. Joe Rodon was judged to have blocked the keeper.

Cymru did make it four in the 86th minute when Harry Wilson cleared the ball into an empty Finnish half. Their centre back thought he had plenty of time, not expecting Daniel James to make up the twenty yards in such quick time. Tenho was easily dispossessed and James took the ball into the box where he rounded the keeper to score. Daniel James’ finish was reminiscent of Craig Bellamy’s famous goal against Italy.

An excellent performance by Cymru on a night that will live long in the memory if all goes right on Tuesday. Rob Page’s tactics were spot on and so was his starting XI. Cymru need to produce a similar performance against Poland to make it to Germany in the summer. 

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