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FULL TIMELast update 11:22 GMT
7 years ago
56' Tin Jedvaj squanders the chance too regain an advantage as he misjudges Vlasic's cross from the right flank.

Updates by John Townley

Key moments

  1. 19:56 GMTSecond half begins
  2. 19:41 GMTHalf time
  3. 19:35 GMTGoal · Wales 1-1
  4. 18:57 GMTGoal by Wayne Hennessey · 0-1
  5. 18:55 GMTPenalty
  6. 18:46 GMTKick-off
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7 years ago

Second half begins

45' Gareth Bale kick us off for the second half.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

Half time

Wales 1-1 Croatia

Gareth Bale's goal restores much needed parity before the half time whistle for Wales. Nikola Vaslic's opener set the tone for much of the first half.

It was a savvy and professional performance from Croatia who dominated in the half through Luka Modric who's been pulling the strings.

Wales answered the home fans' cries and went direct in the final five minutes. Kieffer Moore cut a frustrated figure for the most part but he came alive a the end of the half.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
45+4' A booking for Lovren means he'll be suspended for their next final qualifier.

 

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

GOAL

45+3' Wales 1-1 Croatia

Gareth Bales has his goal! Ben Davies powers through the heart of the Croatian midfield, wins the ball back before feeding Bale who peeled off Dejan Lovren's shoulder. Bale shows great composure to sweep underneath Dominik Livakovic. Massive goal.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
45' Additional time of four minutes.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
43' After a post World Cup hangover, Croatia look to have rediscovered the form they showed last summer. They're making it look easy in Cardiff, not giving Wales in an inch to work in.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
39' Ampadou's miss-hit pass sums up Wales' invention this half. A simple pass down the right flank to Conor Roberts would have unlocked the Croatian backline.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
36' Wales are missing a creative spark here. Without the injured Aaron Ramsey and David Brooks, their heavy reliance on Jonny Williams is evident. 

Croatia look comfortable as they keep the ball ticking over in midfield.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
33' An indirect Ben Davies free kick comes to nothing. Wales haven't made use of their dead balls so far this half.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
32' Joe Rodon is keeping the experienced Ashley Williams out the side. The fully fit Bristol City defender will feel disappointed because of his club form but Rodon has kept the high standards he's set himself since breaking into the first team.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
29' Wales are losing the ball far too easily when they manage to get into the final third. Bale most recently ran into a more congested area instead of backing himself to beat Borna Barisic on the left wing. 

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
28' Play is momentarily halted as a fan makes his way onto the pitch.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
26' Wales can't afford to sit behind the ball and let Croatia pass their way through the lines. Perisic gets into a dangerous position but Davies recovers well to deny him a clean shot at goal.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
23' Modric works the ball towards the right flank but Tin Jedvaj fails to produce in a promising wide area. His cross is cleared by Ampadou.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
21' Wales are getting back up to speed now with Jonny Williams and Bale in particular setting the standards.

Dan James' corner comes to nothing but having him on the pitch, and smilingly healthy is a big bonus for Giggs and Wales.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
19' It comes to nothing as Bale strikes the ball into the Croatian wall. He'll be disappointed with that one. Petokovic is back up after taking the shot to the face.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

Free kick

19' Gareth Bale will set his sights 14 yards from goal as Kieffer Moore wins a free kick under a challenge from Luka Modric.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
18' Croatia have dominated the ball at 81% as we come up to the first twenty minutes in Cardiff.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
15' James is now up on his feet after taking what looked like a knee to the head. Made of some strong stuff that lad!

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

Nasty clash

14' Dan James' well-being is in question here. The medical staff rush towards him as he drops to the floor after challenging with Domagoj Vida in the air. The Besiktas defender recieves a yellow cards for his troubles.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
12' Hennessey keeps Wales in the tie. Ivan Perisic ghosts into the box and heads towards the far post but the Crystal Palace goalkeeper manages to tip his effort around the post.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
11' Ryan Giggs will be frustrated as his side looked a solid, well drilled unit behind the ball. The first time space was afforded it was costly.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

GOAL

9' Wales 0-1 Croatia

Nikola Vlasic comes up with the goods after Petkovic shifts the ball back to the CSKA forward ten yards from goal. He fires the ball across Wayne Hennessey as the ball goes in off the post

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
8' Penalty shout for Wales. Dejan Lovren forcefully shoulder barges the oncoming Dan James inside the penalty box. those appeals are swiftly waved away.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
7' Joe Allen and Gareth Bale are both a booking away from a suspension. When either of them play well so do Wales.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
4' Modric is operating very deep, dictating possession for the away side. Only four Welsh players have touched the ball so far.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
3' Conor Roberts tucks in to clear the danger Bruno Petkovic posed when he held the ball up in the penalty area.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
2' Ethan Ampadou puts in a foot to regain the ball for Wales as Croatia have enjoyed all the ball in the opening stages.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago
1' Croatia have never won at the Cardiff City stadium, and what a night it could be to change that. They only need one more win to qualify for EURO 2020.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

Kick-off

We’re underway for the first half in Cardiff.

Wales are in their classic home strip of all red, with Croatia changed in a black and navy chequered away kit.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

Gareth believes

Bale knows his side can thrive off the underdog tag.

"We've had some great results against big teams at home," he said.

"We believe in ourselves. We feel no matter who we come up against we can come up with a plan to beat them.

"We have great players and a great team, and if we put in a performance we can beat anybody."

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

Big blow

Aaron Ramsey will not feature due to a calf strain. Ryan Giggs was hopeful the Juventus man would play some part in tonight's qualifier.

Updates by John Townley

7 years ago

Team News

Ryan Giggs has named an unchanged side to face Croatia.

Wales: Hennessey, Rodon, Davies, Allen, Bale, Moore, Roberts, Ampadou, Lockyer, Williams, James.

Croatia: Livakovic, Barisic, Perisic, Lovren, Kovacic, Modric, Vlasic, Jedvaj, Brekalo, Petkovic, Vida. 

Updates by John Townley