Hello and welcome to our LIVE text commentary of Wales' winner-takes-all clash with the Republic of Ireland from the Cardiff City Stadium. A win for either team will guarantee a November play-off at their opponents' expense and could yield an automatic qualifying spot if Group D leaders Serbia falter in their last game at home to Georgia. A draw for Wales could be enough, but will depend on how Croatia get on. A gripping encounter awaits! I'm Pete Hall, and I will be bringing you the action, as it happens, live!
World Cup Qualification UEFA / Matchday 10
Cardiff City Stadium / 09.10.2017
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- J. McClean(58')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 09/10/2017 at 20:43 GMT
3'
Joe Ledley whips in a near-post cross which Robson-Kanu reads and gets the run on Duffy. He gets there ahead of the defender but can't flick the header on target. Over the bar.
2'
All the early pressure from Wales as Hal Robson-Kanu tries to carry the ball down the left flank before being dispossessed.
1'
We have had both spine-tingling national anthems, now it is down to business. This is it, Wales could be one step closer to their second-ever World Cup finals appearance, while Ireland would be on the verge of a first finals appearance since 2002. What an occasion. We are under way!
19:40
Atmosphere is building in the Cardiff cauldron...
19:39
It is almost time...
19:36
HOME COMFORTS: Chris Coleman’s team are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive matches on home soil, winning six and drawing four. However, Wales haven’t won four consecutive matches since a run of six under Mike England in May 1981.
19:35
A tight game awaits. The last three matches between these two sides in Wales have ended level, with two of those games ending goalless. Wales have only won once at home to the Republic of Ireland – a 2-1 victory in September 1979, with a side featuring Terry Yorath; Wales’ last win over Ireland came away from home in February 1992, with former Leeds and Spurs midfielder Yorath in charge that day.
19:29
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Wales have won just one of their last 10 matches against Republic of Ireland (D4 L5) and none of the last seven. Even more worryingly, Wales have failed to score in five of their last six against Ireland, with Jason Koumas scoring their only two goals in this run back in November 2007.
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Image credit: PA Sport
19:26
Chris Coleman will not be sending out his side with just one point in mind: "We're on dangerous ground if we go in with a game plan of trying to soak the pressure up for 90 minutes," Coleman told reporters. "We are too good to do that. We'll go and attack, go and score goals. We have to do that - it's our strength."
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Image credit: PA Sport
19:24
Sporting Welshmen unite!
19:12
So, if Wales draw, how do they qualify? Remember, of all the teams who finish in second in the nine groups, only the best eight will go into the play-offs. Wales are currently above Croatia of the second-placed teams. If they match Croatia's scoreline against Ukraine, and the Welshmen are through to a play-off. If Croatia also draw, but score more goals, and they are through. Easy, right?
19:11
Rallying cry!
19:08
Hero of the Wales victory over Moldova, Hal Robson-Kanu, is Wales' only change from the win in Georgia on Friday, as he comes in for Sam Vokes.
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Image credit: Reuters
19:00
As expected, a hip injury rules out Shane Long for the men in green. Daryl Murphy will lead the line after his two goals against Moldova. Robbie Brady and James McClean return from suspension while Harry Arter also is given the nod ahead of Wes Hoolahan.
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Image credit: PA Sport
18:59
TEAM NEWS - WALES: Hennessey, Gunter, Davies, A Williams, Chester, Allen, Ledley, Ramsey, King, Lawrence, Robson-Kanu... Subs: Maxwell, Ward, Ampadu, Lockyer, Taylor, Edwards, J. Williams, Brooks, Woodburn, Hedges, Vokes, Bradshaw. /// REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Randolph, Christie, Clark, Arter, Duffy, Hendrick, McClean, Ward, Meyler, Brady, Murphy. Subs: Doyle, Eliot, O’Shea, Keogh, Whelan, McGeady, O’Kane, Maguire, Hourihane, Hogan, Hoolahan, O’Dowd.
18:57
The teams are in...