NATHAN BROADHEAD STRUCK a stoppage-time equaliser on his debut as Wales began the post-Gareth Bale era with a 1-1 draw against Croatia.
Andrej Kramaric’s first-half strike looked as if it would be enough to give group favourites Croatia a winning start to Euro 2024 qualifying in Split.
But Wales levelled in the most dramatic fashion in the third and final minute of stoppage time when Croatia struggled to clear Connor Roberts’ long throw and substitute Broadhead squeezed home at the far post.
The draw stretched Wales’ winless run to nine games since beating Ukraine in June to reach the World Cup, but it will feel like a victory to Rob Page’s side after they had been forced to soak up pressure for long periods at the Stadion Poljud.
Broadhead’s effort was Wales’ first attempt on target, placing the lack of goal threat into sharp focus after the loss of talismanic captain Bale following the World Cup.
Bale called time on his trophy-laden career after scoring 41 goals and winning 111 caps for Wales – both national-team records – while fellow Euro 2016 heroes Chris Gunter, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams also ended their international careers.
Aaron Ramsey resumed the role of captain 11 years after the armband had been taken away from him.
There had been much talk of a new era for Welsh football but, in the event, every member of Page’s starting line-up had played at the World Cup. Six uncapped players were on the bench.
With Armenia, Latvia and Turkey lying in wait in Group D, Wales’ first task was by far the toughest examination.
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Croatia finished third in Qatar, had never lost a European Championship qualifier on home soil – a total of 35 matches – and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric was still pulling the strings in midfield and testing Danny Ward after only three minutes.
That opportunity set the tone of a first half that Croatia dominated from start to finish, with Ward coming to the rescue again to push out Kramaric’s well-struck effort.
Marcelo Brozovic skied over before Ivan Perisic thought he had provided the lead with a deflected strike only for Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro to spot a push on a Welsh defender.
Sadly for Wales, their reprieve lasted a matter of moments as Croatia took a 28th-minute lead.
Weak defending from Joe Rodon and Neco Williams afforded space for Kramaric to find the bottom of Ward’s net from 20 yards.
It might have got worse for Wales but Modric and Kramaric were wayward and Ward clung on to Borna Sosa’s shot.
Wales offered nothing in attack until two minutes before the interval when Josko Gvardiol needlessly went into the back of Harry Wilson.
It was an inviting position for Wilson, 20 yards out and central to the goal, but his attempt just cleared the crossbar.
Mateo Kovacic blazed over just after the restart but Wales were much improved and fashioned their first clear opening after an hour.
Wilson located Daniel James unmarked at the far post but the winger snatched at his volley and failed to find the target.
James, Ramsey and Wilson exited in a triple substitution four minutes later as Page’s thoughts seemingly turned to Tuesday’s must-win home game against Latvia.
The switch appeared to rob Wales of any momentum they were building and Perisic struck the crossbar eight minutes from time.
But Wales were not done and Ipswich striker Broadhead was the hero as he timed his run to the far post to perfection.
New Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. Oscar J Barroso / Dppi
Oscar J Barroso / Dppi / Dppi
Meanwhile, Spain won 3-0 against a Norway side missing the injured Erling Haaland.
Dani Olmo turned in Alejandro Balde’s driven low cross on 13 minutes in Malaga and Joselu scored twice on his Spain debut to give new coach Luis de la Fuente a victory in his first match in charge.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off a brilliant reflex stop to deny Fredrik Aursnes and clawed another effort off the line on his first start for Spain since October 2020.
Alexander Sorloth then volleyed wide before Espanyol striker Joselu came off the bench and bagged a quick-fire double — heading in his first and sweeping home a rebound for the second.
Three-time European champions Spain next go to Scotland, who saw off Cyprus 3-0 in their Group A opener after Scott McTominay scored twice late on as a substitute at Hampden Park.
Elsewhere, Turkey came from behind to defeat Armenia 2-1 in Yerevan and Switzerland thrashed Belarus 5-0 in a game played behind closed doors in Serbia. Romania eased to a 2-0 win away to 10-man Andorra, while Israel drew 1-1 at home to Kosovo.
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Wales debutant scores last-gasp equaliser to snatch draw in Croatia
NATHAN BROADHEAD STRUCK a stoppage-time equaliser on his debut as Wales began the post-Gareth Bale era with a 1-1 draw against Croatia.
Andrej Kramaric’s first-half strike looked as if it would be enough to give group favourites Croatia a winning start to Euro 2024 qualifying in Split.
But Wales levelled in the most dramatic fashion in the third and final minute of stoppage time when Croatia struggled to clear Connor Roberts’ long throw and substitute Broadhead squeezed home at the far post.
The draw stretched Wales’ winless run to nine games since beating Ukraine in June to reach the World Cup, but it will feel like a victory to Rob Page’s side after they had been forced to soak up pressure for long periods at the Stadion Poljud.
Broadhead’s effort was Wales’ first attempt on target, placing the lack of goal threat into sharp focus after the loss of talismanic captain Bale following the World Cup.
Bale called time on his trophy-laden career after scoring 41 goals and winning 111 caps for Wales – both national-team records – while fellow Euro 2016 heroes Chris Gunter, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams also ended their international careers.
Aaron Ramsey resumed the role of captain 11 years after the armband had been taken away from him.
There had been much talk of a new era for Welsh football but, in the event, every member of Page’s starting line-up had played at the World Cup. Six uncapped players were on the bench.
With Armenia, Latvia and Turkey lying in wait in Group D, Wales’ first task was by far the toughest examination.
Croatia finished third in Qatar, had never lost a European Championship qualifier on home soil – a total of 35 matches – and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric was still pulling the strings in midfield and testing Danny Ward after only three minutes.
That opportunity set the tone of a first half that Croatia dominated from start to finish, with Ward coming to the rescue again to push out Kramaric’s well-struck effort.
Marcelo Brozovic skied over before Ivan Perisic thought he had provided the lead with a deflected strike only for Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro to spot a push on a Welsh defender.
Sadly for Wales, their reprieve lasted a matter of moments as Croatia took a 28th-minute lead.
Weak defending from Joe Rodon and Neco Williams afforded space for Kramaric to find the bottom of Ward’s net from 20 yards.
It might have got worse for Wales but Modric and Kramaric were wayward and Ward clung on to Borna Sosa’s shot.
Wales offered nothing in attack until two minutes before the interval when Josko Gvardiol needlessly went into the back of Harry Wilson.
It was an inviting position for Wilson, 20 yards out and central to the goal, but his attempt just cleared the crossbar.
Mateo Kovacic blazed over just after the restart but Wales were much improved and fashioned their first clear opening after an hour.
Wilson located Daniel James unmarked at the far post but the winger snatched at his volley and failed to find the target.
James, Ramsey and Wilson exited in a triple substitution four minutes later as Page’s thoughts seemingly turned to Tuesday’s must-win home game against Latvia.
The switch appeared to rob Wales of any momentum they were building and Perisic struck the crossbar eight minutes from time.
But Wales were not done and Ipswich striker Broadhead was the hero as he timed his run to the far post to perfection.
Meanwhile, Spain won 3-0 against a Norway side missing the injured Erling Haaland.
Dani Olmo turned in Alejandro Balde’s driven low cross on 13 minutes in Malaga and Joselu scored twice on his Spain debut to give new coach Luis de la Fuente a victory in his first match in charge.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off a brilliant reflex stop to deny Fredrik Aursnes and clawed another effort off the line on his first start for Spain since October 2020.
Alexander Sorloth then volleyed wide before Espanyol striker Joselu came off the bench and bagged a quick-fire double — heading in his first and sweeping home a rebound for the second.
Three-time European champions Spain next go to Scotland, who saw off Cyprus 3-0 in their Group A opener after Scott McTominay scored twice late on as a substitute at Hampden Park.
Elsewhere, Turkey came from behind to defeat Armenia 2-1 in Yerevan and Switzerland thrashed Belarus 5-0 in a game played behind closed doors in Serbia. Romania eased to a 2-0 win away to 10-man Andorra, while Israel drew 1-1 at home to Kosovo.
- Additional reporting from – © AFP 2023
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