Wales v Finland LIVE: Result and final score after Euro 2024 play-off semi-final
Wales took a major step towards this summer’s European Championship in Germany and now face Poland in Tuesday’s play-off final
Wales beat Finland tonight in the Euro 2024 play-off semi-finals as they bid to join England and Scotland in the tournament this summer. David Brooks, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson and Dan James got on the scoresheet in a comprehensive 4-1 win.
Rob Page’s side have now qualified for a play-off final against Poland on Tuesday, also in Cardiff, after the Poles beat Estonia. The winner of that match will book their place at the Euros.
Wales qualified for both of the past two European Championships, memorably reaching the semi-finals in France in 2016 where they were beaten by eventual champions Portugal, before they were knocked out by Denmark in the round of 16 in the delayed Euro 2020. Wales also qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but failed to win a game and were knocked out in the group stage.
Follow all the latest reaction from Wales v Finland in their Euro 2024 play-off semi-final below.
Wales 3-1 Finland
53 min: Poland meanwhile are 2-0 up against Estonia, and it is looking increasingly like Wales and Poland will meet in the Path A final. Still plenty of time, of course.
GOAL! Wales 3-1 Finland (Johnson, 47)
Wales have a third! What a start to the second half.
Harry Wilson whips in a deep free-kick which is headed back across goal for David Brooks arriving on the penalty spot. He doesn’t make proper contact but it’s enought to direct the ball into the path of Brennan Johnson at the back post – very much like Ryan Giggs hit the ball into the path of Teddy Sheringham to score Manchester United’s equaliser against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final, if memory serves – and Johnson knocks the ball home from close range.
Kick-off! Wales 2-1 Finland
Harry Wilson gets the second half under way. A reminder that the winner tonight will go through to play Estonia or Poland in one of the three play-off finals, for a place at Euro 2024.
Poland lead 1-0 and Estonia are down to 10 men, away from home, so that match may well be done and dusted.
Half-time: Wales 2-1 Finland
The players are back out on the pitch for the second half.
Half-time: Wales 2-1 Finland
Here’s a look at that lovely Neco Williams goal:
Half-time: Wales 2-1 Finland
And that’s half-time. Wales have been the better team and scored two good goals – the second was superbly worked – but Finland had plenty of bright moments themselves and that late reply has made things interesting in the second half.
GOAL! Wales 2-1 Finland (Pukki, 45)
Now then. Teemu Pukki is slipped in behind the Wales defence and he finishes typically well, passing the ball by Danny Ward and into the corner. There is a check for offside, which is very tight, but he’s a few centimetres onside.
Game on.
Wales 2-0 Finland
43 min: Brennan Johnson is penalised for a foul near the touchline inside the Welsh half. The free-kick is delivered with far too much pace, though, and ends up in the gloves of Ward.
Wales 2-0 Finland
41 min: Harry Wilson has been superb in this first half, and he’s been involved in everything good about Wales’ attacking play.
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