Armenia 1-1 Wales: Wales forced to rely on other results to reach Euro 2024 after dropping points in Armenia
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Updated 18/11/2023 at 17:20 GMT
Wales will be forced to rely on other results if they want automatic qualification to Euro 2024 after a 1-1 draw away in Armenia on Saturday. Knowing that winning their last two games would give them a berth in Germany, Rob Page's side endured the worst possible start when a stunner from Lucas Zelarayan saw the hosts go in front. An own-goal drew Wales level, but they couldn’t find a winner.
YEREVAN, ARMENIA - NOVEMBER 18: Joe Rodon of Wales celebrates after Nair Tiknizyan of Armenia (not pictured) scores an own goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Armenia and Wales at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium on November
Image credit: Getty Images
Wales were held to a 1-1 draw by an energised Armenia side in Yerevan as their Euro 2024 qualifying hopes suffered a serious blow.
Rob Page's men needed to win their final two matches in Group D to secure automatic qualification for the finals in Germany, but their fate is no longer in their own hands.
They must hope 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia drop points in Latvia later on Saturday or at home against Armenia on Tuesday, while also beating group leaders Turkey in Cardiff to keep their fading prospects alive.
Otherwise, they will be forced to negotiate a play-off match for next summer's tournament.
In truth, they were fortunate to earn a point against a vibrant home team who took the lead through Lucas Zelarayan's brilliant finish on five minutes with an own goal from Nair Tiknizyan in added time in the first half bringing a fortunate equaliser for the visitors at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.
Indeed, Vahan Bichakhchyan almost handed Armenia deserved back-to-back qualifying wins over Wales following their 4-2 victory in June as his effort came back off the underside around the hour mark with Danny Ward well beaten, before Zelarayan blazed the rebound over.
Talking point: Have Wales blown their big chance?
When you consider what was on the line, this was a poor performance from Wales, who were fortunate to escape the match with a point.
After the highs of the 2-1 home win over Croatia last month came a listless performance, lacking in any sort of quality or finesse in the final third.
The equaliser coming off the head of a home player from a long throw-in summed up the paucity of the output from Wales.
It will take an almighty sequence of results for them to book an automatic place at the Euro 2024 finals, with Croatia firmly in the driving seat for the Group D runners-up spot behind Turkey.
If so, Wales must regroup for a play-off spot earned via the UEFA Nations League, but there is clearly plenty of work to be done before then.
"The positives are now, we want to finish the camp on a high," said coach Rob Page. "We've got to pick ourselves up and finish with a performance on Tuesday.
"We look forward to finishing with momentum and if it's a play-off in March, then we take that."
Man of the match: Lucas Zelarayan (Armenia)
Zelarayan scored a brilliant opening goal against the visitors to add to the double he recorded in the 4-2 away win over Wales in June.
A probing source of menace to the visitors, he should have secured the three points when he lifted a rebound over after Bichakhchyan's shot had hit the bar with Armenia pushing for the winner.
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Armenia's defender Varazdat Haroyan (L) fights for the ball with Wales' midfielder David Brooks (R) during the UEFA EURO 2024 Group D qualifying football match between Armenia and Wales at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan on November 18,
Image credit: Getty Images
Player ratings
Armenia: Chancharevich 7; Arutiunian 6, Haroyan 6, Calisir 6, Tikinizyan 6; Spertsyan 7, Bichakhchyan 7, Iwu 6; Dashyan 7, Zelarayan 7, Ranos 6. Subs: Sevikyan 6, Miranyan 6, Harutyunyan 7
Wales: Ward 7; Mepham 6, Rodon 7, B. Davies 6; Roberts 7, Ampadu 6, J. James 6, Williams 6; Wilson 6, Brooks 6, Moore 6. Subs: D. James 7, Johnson 6, Broadhead 6
Match highlights
5' GOAL FOR ARMENIA! Artak Dashyan floats over the delivery from the corner. Wales fail to clear the danger and Lucas Zelarayan swivels to thump a blistering hit into the corner of the net from edge of box. Disastrous start for the visitors.
37' BEST MOVE OF MATCH BY WALES Neco Williams with fine play out wide. Lays it back for the incoming Wilson, whose shot is palmed past his left-hand post by home keeper Ognjen Cancarevic. Solid stop, his first of the match.
45+1' GOAL FOR WALES! Roberts with the long throw-in. Right into the heart of Armenia's box. Joe Rodon and Nair Tiknizyan challenge in the iair and the ball flies into the net. It is 1-1. Unclear whose head that clattered off. What a lifeline for Wales.
61' SO CLOSE TO A SECOND FOR ARMENIA! Vahan Bichakhchyan with a superb effort. Comes back off the underside of the bar with Ward beaten from edge of area. Rebound comes out to Zelarayan, but he lifts the volley miles over. What a chance that is.
88' GOLDEN CHANCE FOR WALES Cancarevic so relieved to see the ball land straight in his arms as Ethan Ampadu nodded into his arms. Looked like a free header too.
Key stat
Wales have yet to defeat Armenia in four competitive matches.
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