Sport

Gallery: All the best images from Wales’ thrashing of Finland

21 Mar 2024 3 minute read

Wales v Finland – UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying – Play Off – Cardiff City Stadium

Wales fans take a photograph in front of a mural to the late Gary Speed near the ground before the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales fans walk past scarves and hats on sale near the ground before the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales fans walking to the ground before the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales scarves and hats on sale near the ground before the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ David Brooks celebrates scoring their first goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ David Brooks (centre) celebrates scoring their first goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Chris Mepham tackles Finland’s Matti Peltola during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium. Photo David Davies/PA Wire.

Wales’ Harry Wilson shoots at goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Brennan Johnson tries to get past Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Jordan James (left) and Finland’s Daniel Hakans battle for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ David Brooks (left) and Finland’s Daniel Hakans in action during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Neco Williams scores their second goal of the game from a free-kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Neco Williams celebrates scoring their second goal of the game from a free-kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward is congratulated by team-mate Ethan Ampadu during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Brennan Johnson (second left) celebrates scoring their third goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Brennan Johnson scores their third goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

A Wales fan wearing a bucket hat in the stands during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Brennan Johnson celebrates scoring their third goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Harry Wilson shoots wide during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Finland’s Nikolai Alho (left) and Wales’ Neco Williams battle for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Referee Istvan Kovacs views the VAR screen before ruling out a goal for Wales’ Ben Davies during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Ben Davies celebrates scoring before the goal is ruled out during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Kieffer Moore (left) and Finland’s Robert Ivanov battle for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Daniel James scores their fourth goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Daniel James celebrates scoring their fourth goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales’ Daniel James. Image: David Davies/PA Wire

Wales fans celebrate their side’s fourth goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales manager Rob Page applauds the fans after the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying play-off match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday March 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Rob Page says that Wales are ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Poland in their Euro 2024 play-off final at Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales are 90 minutes from reaching this summer’s showpiece event in Germany after posting an emphatic 4-1 victory over Finland.

First-half goals from David Brooks and Neco Williams put the hosts in cruise control and raised hopes of a stress-free evening for the vast majority of a sell-out crowd in Cardiff.

Teemu Pukki banished those thoughts on the stroke of half-time with his 40th Finland goal, but Brennan Johnson quickly restored Wales’ two-goal cushion after the break and substitute Daniel James rounded off matters late on.

Wales now host Poland on Tuesday, and manager Page is relishing the challenge as the Dragons bid to qualify for their third successive European major championship and a fourth major tournament in five.

Wales’ Daniel James celebrates scoring their fourth goal of the game Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

“We don’t care who comes to see us. We will go toe-to-toe and have a go,” Page said.

“I am really satisfied. It was uncomfortable in moments of the game, but against good teams it does not always go your own way.

“We didn’t quite get the press right in the first half. We addressed it at half-time. On another night it might have been five or six.

“The biggest selection headache I had tonight was at the top of the pitch. I knew that pace would hurt them.

“People like DJ (Daniel James) coming off the bench, playing really well at club level and scoring goals. When you have players at club level playing well, they can add value and change the game for us.

“Ethan (Ampadu) on his 50th cap, I thought he was immense. Brennan was a constant threat. Brooksy with his finish.

“We knew exactly what we were going to get with Harry (Wilson) and Brooksy in the pockets.”

Wales’ Neco Williams celebrates scoring their second goal of the game from a free-kick. Credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire

Poland swept aside Estonia 5-1 in their play-off semi-final, and Page added: “We have done analysis on Poland and Estonia. We have already looked at Poland.

“It will be a tough test, but what more motivation do you need? The boys will be ready on Tuesday.

“We have a younger squad, a fitter squad, players that are playing regularly. We will be back on the grass on Sunday with a game-plan ready to go on Tuesday.

“It’s a work in progress. Everyone can see what we are trying to do, and we have given ourselves one hell of a chance.”

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