Securing a place in the EURO 2024 finals is very much a realistic prospect for Rob Page and his Cymru national football team. Four points from their two opening Group D games has left them in good shape ahead of a June double-header with Armenia and Turkey. Cymru are now priced as short as 8/13 with Betfair to qualify out of Group D and feature at next summer’s finals in Germany. The Betfair Sportsbook is the bookmaker arm of its original betting exchange, which continues to make a firm impression on the industry. It’s now one of the top three most recommended sites by oddschecker for sign-up promotions, as well as additional enhanced bonuses and event-specific offers like EURO 2024.
The EURO 2024 qualifying campaign marked the start of a new era for Cymru, with the likes of Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams announcing their retirement from international football following the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Cymru qualified for the last two European Championships back-to-back, so there is heightened expectation about the team’s prospects of being part of next summer’s tournament.
Cymru snatch a valuable point on the road in Split
A tricky opening Group D trip to Croatia awaited Cymru on March 25, but Rob Page’s troops showed tremendous character to battle back and claim a share of the spoils. Cymru were a goal down for a large part of the contest in Split, but substitute and debutant Nathan Broadhead proved the Red Wall’s hero, climbing off the bench to poke home in second half stoppage time at the far post and secure a 1-1 draw.
Cymru returned to home soil on March 28 with a home fixture against Latvia at the Cardiff City Stadium. It was the perfect tonic for Page’s men following their exploits in Split. Latvia is likely to be battling with Malta for Group D’s wooden spoon, so maximum points were always going to be vital against the Latvians.
One goal was enough to overcome Latvia in Cardiff
Sure enough, Cymru clinched a slender 1-0 victory in front of a packed home crowd in the Welsh capital. A powerful headed goal from target man Kieffer Moore on the stroke of half time proved to be the difference maker. It was an emotional evening for Cymru fans given the presence of legendary forward Gareth Bale, who addressed the Cardiff City Stadium before the match as a ‘thank you’ following his retirement announcement around the turn of the New Year.
Cymru struggled to get a foothold in the contest in the opening 45 minutes, but Moore’s aerial prowess came to the fore just before the interval. An inviting cross from Dan James made it easy for the Bournemouth front man to nod home and take the lead against Group D’s lowest-ranked nation.
Page’s men came out of the traps flying at the start of the second period, buoyed by that late first half goal. Latvian keeper Steinbors proved an immovable force though, with Neco Williams and Harry Wilson both denied. A second killer goal was not forthcoming but, in truth, the Cymru defence was never severely tested by a Latvian front line that huffed and puffed with precious little quality in the final third.
Cymru’s management team will make sure the squad keeps its collective feet on the ground
In the post-match press conference, Cymru boss Page described the win as “job done” but insisted the team wasn’t getting carried away by the last two results, despite it being a “great start” to their qualifying campaign.
A home clash with Armenia is next up for Cymru, followed by another tricky away trip to Turkey, which is almost certain to be just as hostile as the game against Croatia in Split. If Cymru can emerge from the next two Group D games with another four points in their back pocket, Red Wall might just be able to dream of yet another appearance at a major finals.