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    Latvia vs. Cymru | 2024 European Championship – Qualifying Round – Grp D

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        5. Three points. Three huge points.

        6. Full-time verdict: Cymru dominated the stats but could not turn their possession and chances into goals in open play until the last minute of added time. Aaron Ramsey’s penalty in the opening half offered hope that the victory would be a lot more comfortable, but Latvia continued to push for an equaliser until the end in what became a physical contest. Substitute David Brooks sealed the game with a fine finish in injury-time, while a clean-sheet at the other end will be another positive to take as Cymru complete the double over Latvia.

        7. 90' + 6'

          Brooks makes it safe with a superb finish to lift the ball over Ozols. A huge goal for Cymru in the context of the qualifying campaign.

        8. 90' + 6'

          Goal

          BROOKS David

        9. 90' + 2'

          Yellow card

          MEPHAM Christopher

        10. 90'

          The fourth official indicates that there will be a minimum of seven additional minutes, that will be a boost for the home side as they continue to push for an equaliser.

        11. 89'

          Yellow card

          KRISTERS TOBERS

        12. 89'

          Substitution

          BRADSHAW Thomas William replaces JOHNSON Brennan

        13. Cymru goalkeeper Danny Ward clears the ball.

        14. 86'

          Substitution

          MARKO REGZA replaces ALVIS JAUNZEMS

        15. 86'

          Substitution

          EDUARDS DASKEVICS replaces ROBERTS ULDRIKIS

        16. 86'

          Ikaunieks shoots narrowly wide as Ward scrambles across his goal. That was a huge chance for Latvia in these nervy final exchanges.

        17. Brennan Johnson has caused problems for the Latvian defence.

        18. 82'

          More chances go begging for Cymru as Williams’ effort is saved before Brooks fails to connect properly with the rebound and can only hold his head in his hands as the ball bounces over the bar.

        19. 78'

          Yellow card

          EMSIS EDUARDS

        20. An attendance of 6,464 at the Skonto Stadions in Riga tonight, including an incredible away support.

        21. Jordan James has been hugely impressive for Cymru tonight.

        22. 75'

          Cymru are looking increasingly frustrated as Latvia push for an equaliser despite having limited possession. A huge final 15 minutes that will shape the remainder of this qualifying campaign.

        23. Connor Roberts on his 50th Cymru appearance.

        24. 64'

          Ikaunieks is booked for a reckless challenge on James, and a VAR review for a possible red card didn’t change the decision of the official. James is fortunately back on his feet.

        25. 64'

          Yellow card

          JANIS IKAUNIEKS

        27. 59'

          Yellow card

          ROBERTS SAVAJNIEKS

        28. Ethan Ampadu has seen plenty of the ball in midfield this evening.

        29. 53'

          Another great chance for Johnson but he is denied by Ozols who makes his fifth save of the match. Cymru have had almost 60% possession and 14 attempts on goal, but only a penalty separates the two teams.

        30. 52'

          Yellow card

          WILLIAMS Neco

        31. 49'

          Aaron Ramsey is replaced by David Brooks. No obvious injury to the captain but clearly something has prevented him from continuing.

        32. 49'

          Substitution

          BROOKS David replaces RAMSEY Aaron James

        33. 48'

          No changes for either team at half-time and it’s Cymru who ask the first questions after the re-start with a couple of corners. The revival of Latvia just before the whistle shows how crucial a second goal could be for the visitors right now.

        34. Aaron Ramsey’s penalty is the difference between the two sides at half-time.

        35. Half-time verdict: Cymru have dominated for long-periods and have turned their possession into chances, but it took a penalty from captain Aaron Ramsey to hand the side a 1-0 lead at half-time. Latvia offered little for the first 40 minutes, however, they created three decent chances in the final moments and Rob Page will be concerned about the way his side almost surrendered their well-deserved lead.

        36. 42'

          A scare for Cymru as Ward is called into action for the first time to deny Ikaunieks from scoring an equaliser from close range. Krollis also comes close from the resulting corner and Cymru’s dominance is almost undone.

        38. 35'

          Cymru have now had 10 attempts on goal while Latvia are still searching for their first. It’s a stat that pretty much sums up the opening half.

        39. 29'

          Captain Ramsey leads by example as he calmly rolls the ball past Ozols from the spot to give Cymru a deserved lead. Rob Page’s side have dominated from the start and finally open the scoring in Riga.

        40. 29'

          Penalty

          RAMSEY Aaron

        41. 27'

          Penalty for Cymru! Dubra fouls Wilson in the area and the referee points to the spot.

        42. 25'

          A great chance for Cymru but Roberts’ header is saved on the line. A goal would be a great way for him to mark his 50th senior international appearance.

        43. Here is the Cymru starting line-up.

        44. 21'

          Jordan James making only his second start for Cymru tonight and already the 19-year old looks like an experienced veteran in midfield. A superb start to the game for the youngster as Cymru continue to ask questions of the Latvian defence.

        46. 14'

          Wilson the latest to have an effort on goal, following on from earlier efforts from Johnson and Davies, but his shot is saved by Roberts Ozols in the Latvia goal. Cymru will want something to show for this dominant start but the score remains level.

        48. The Red Wall are making themselves known in Riga. Incredible support for Cymru yet again.

        49. 7'

          Johnson and Wilson struggle to combine in a congested Latvian penalty area as the home side defend in numbers. Cymru enjoying all of the early possession in Riga but will need to stay patient to find a way past the hosts in the final third.

        50. 2'

          A great chance early on for Johnson. A defence-splitting ball with the outside of his foot from Ampadu but the new Tottenham Hotspur signing shoots narrowly wide. A positive start for Cymru.

        52. Kick-off isn’t far away in Riga as Cymru look to complete the double over Latvia in EURO 2024 qualifying.

          The Red Wall are ready for the anthems and the players will shortly emerge from the changing room for what has become a huge match for Rob Page and his squad.

        54. Croatia moved to the top of Group D in EURO 2024 qualifying earlier this evening with a 1-0 win over Armenia.

          Andrej Kramarić scored the only goal of the game after just 14 minutes in Yerevan to put the top seeds in a commanding position in the standings.

        57. Rob Page has named his starting line-up for the match against Latvia this evening with Aaron Ramsey captaining Cymru on his return to the starting line-up.

          There is just one change from the starting line-up against Korea Republic with Ramsey replacing Nathan Broadhead, while Connor Roberts makes his 50th senior international appearance. Teenager Jordan James keeps his place in the side after impressing on his first start.

        58. Slovakian referee Michal Ocenáš will take charge of the EURO 2024 qualifier between Latvia and Cymru in Riga this evening.

          The 32-year old from Žilina began officiating at a young age and was the referee when Connah’s Quay Nomads played at home to Partizan Belgrade in a UEFA Europa League qualifier in 2019.

        61. The stage is set as Cymru prepare to take on Latvia at the Skonto Stadium in Riga this evening. Team news to follow very shortly.

        64. The Red Wall have arrived in Riga ahead of tonight’s crucial EURO 2024 qualifier against Latvia and Rob Page and his squad will need their support if they are to move a step closer to the finals that will take place in Germany next summer.

          Cymru have claimed just one win from their opening four Group D games but that solitary victory came against Latvia in Cardiff earlier in the year. Kieffer Moore scored the only goal of the game in that 1-0 win. However, the striker will miss the match through suspension this evening.

          Check back here throughout the night for team news, live updates, opinion and analysis.

        67. Cymru arrived in Riga on Sunday ahead of their EURO 2024 qualifier against Latvia this evening and captain Aaron Ramsey spoke to the media about manager Rob Page.

          “He’s been himself, he’s been determined and looking forward to these opportunities. He’s certainly got a reaction from the players from the last camp and now it’s about going out to win this game.

          “He’s as hungry as ever to succeed and win this game of football. The mood in the camp is great, we have a good chemistry here and everybody enjoys being away with Wales. Everyone is looking forward to this game.

          “We know how hard it’s going to be, their a physical team, a direct team and we’re expecting a response from them, so we have to stand up to that and show that we can deal with it.”

          Click here to watch Rob Page and Aaron Ramsey’s press conferences in full on RedWall+

        69. Cymru manager Rob Page spoke to the media after his squad arrived in Riga on Sunday ahead of the EURO 2024 qualifier against Latvia in the capital on Monday evening.

          “It’s expectations. There are a generation of supporters who have seen Wales qualify for major tournaments. Losing players makes the job harder, but expectations say that we should be qualifying. It’s not as easy as that.

          “We will continue to try and qualify for every tournament. The results the other night have gone for us. Until it’s mathematically impossible we will keep going. I’ve got a job to do. I want to qualify for me, as a Welsh supporter myself.

          “As the manager, I want to be in this job for the rest of my contract. I really enjoy working with this group of players. We are in an industry where you need to win games of football. We are in a period of transition as well.”

        72. The Cymru squad continued their preparations ahead of Monday’s crucial EURO 2024 qualifier against Latvia this morning.

          Wayne Hennessey and Wes Burns will not travel with the squad to Riga, while Kieffer Moore and Joe Morrell are suspended for the match.

          Defender Connor Roberts is expected to make his 50th international appearance on Monday, and spoke to the media about the milestone a few days ago. “Now I have nearly 50 caps for my country and no-one can ever take that away from me,” he said.

          “I’ve had some unbelievable experiences – a World Cup, a Euros, a couple of goals and a load of happy times in the Wales jersey. So hopefully that can continue for a couple of years at least.”

        75. There have only been two previous meetings between Cymru and Latvia, with Cymru winning both without conceding a single goal against their opponents.

          The first meeting between the two nations took place in Riga in August 2004 as goals from John Hartson and Craig Bellamy earned Mark Hughes’s side a 2-0 friendly victory. The two sides would not meet again until March 2023 when Kieffer Moore (below) scored in a 1-0 win in Cardiff.

        77. Cymru return to EURO 2024 qualifying on Monday evening as Rob Page’s side take on Latvia in Riga (7.45pm).

          Currently fourth in Group D, Cymru’s only victory was against Latvia in Cardiff back in March when Kieffer Moore scored the only goal in a 1-0 win. However, the striker will miss Monday’s match through suspension along with midfielder Joe Morrell.

          Elsewhere on Monday, Armenia host Croatia while group leaders Türkiye are without a fixture following their 1-1 draw with Armenia last week. Latvia are still without a point and were defeated 5-0 by Croatia on Friday.

        78. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

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