Good evening, fans of critical junctures, and welcome to live coverage of the Czech Republic versus Wales in World Cup Qualifying UEFA Group E. Let’s cut to the chase: Belgium are clearly going to win the group, and it’s a bun fight between these two teams to finish second and have a yahoo at getting to Qatar 2022 via the play-offs. Both are locked on seven points, with the Czech Republic having played five matches so far to Wales’s four. This is massive. Huge. Bigger than the biggest thing you can think of on this autumnal Friday night. A win here for either side will be crucial in their bids to make it to the World Cup. Team news off the wires from Prague shortly.
World Cup Qualification UEFA / Matchday 7
Fortuna Arena / 08.10.2021
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Live
Live Updates
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Updated 08/10/2021 at 20:49 GMT
18'
OH WHAT A CHANCE! The Czechs break on Wales, but Hlozek's shot from the edge is blocked. Wales then spring immediately on the Czechs and they've got a two on one! James slides Moore into the area, but it's a poor ball; too far ahead of Moore, who tries to slide it past Vaclik who is out like lightning to make a reflex save and keep it goalless.
15'
James latches onto a loose ball on the left wing, and he's away. He cuts infield and across the face of the area, but his attempt to hit the postage stamp of the goal is woefully off target.
10'
A long ball in behind the Czechs briefly threatens to get Moore in for a second, but runs too far wide to the left. Wales keep possession though, and Amapdu runs it into the area before hitting the deck theatrically; Aytekin isn't having a bar of it.
8'
CHANCE! It's the first sighting of Schick, as he gets behind the Welsh midfield and runs the ball to the edge of the area. After turning one way then the other, he pokes a ball out to Hlozek on the left whose shot from 12 yards out is saved by Ward and then hacked clear.
6'
Novak is involved everything so far, and crosses dangerously from the left but it's headed out of the Welsh area by Rodon (I think).
4'
The Czechs have settled the better of the two, but a promising move around the left of the Welsh area is nixed by an offside flag.
1st Half
1'
We're off, and after just thirty seconds Ramsey catches Novak with a stray arm as both players jump for a high ball. That provokes an immediate yellow card.
19:46
The anthems are done, it's time to get it popping. Before kick off the Welsh players take the knee, which is met with a chorus of depressing boos. There is no room for racism anywhere in life.
19:40
The players are on the pitch and, as Jimmy Lennon Junior so often opines, it’s showtime. Your referee for all the chuckles tonight is Deniz Aytekin.
19:35
There's another game in the group tonight, a concurrent fixture between Estonia and Belarus in Tallin. The Czech Republic and Wales will be facing both of those teams again before the Group E race is run.
19:30
Here's the previous meeting between the two in this group, where a towering late header from James snagged all three for Wales in Cardiff.
19:25
Can Wales blag a result tonight? Whereas it’s must-win for the Czechs, it’s must-not-lose for Wales. Given that it’s an away fixture and they are lacking their gamebreaker in Gareth Bale plus several others, even a point would be a handy return; manager Robert Page is targeting all three, but a stalemate would still leave Wales’s fate in their own hands.
19:20
They’ve been more than handy in the Euros since gaining independence, but the Czechs have struggled with the World Cup over the same period. They have only qualified once in the last 25 year, when they were unceremoniously bumped out of Germany 2006 in the first round. Hope springs eternal though, and emboldened by a decent turn at Euro 2020 and a big crowd in Prague tonight they’ll be looking to take this race for a play-off right to the wire.
19:15
Wales are missing the talismanic Gareth Bale tonight due to a hamstring injury. Ben Davies and David Brooks are also out, but Joe Rodon returns to what looks to be a back three, with the front line led by Kieffer Moore and Daniel James. Aaron Ramsey is back too, and there’s a lot riding on his performance tonight if Wales are to get a result.
19:10
The Czechs have Patrick Schick up front on his own tonight; you’ll remember him from his five goal turn at the Euros, but in the reverse of this fixture in Cardiff he was sent off. Vladimir Coufal, West Ham’s revelatory full back, is out of the squad but the Czechs are captained by his Irons teammate Tomas Soucek.
19:05
Croeso i Gymru:
19:00
Here are your Czechs: