Summary

  • Rep of Ireland in eighth place in play-off standings

  • Wales finish third in Group D, which is topped by Serbia

  • Iceland beat Kosovo 2-0 and head to finals as Group I winners

  • Croatia beat Ukraine to take spot in play-offs

  1. 'You can't play for a draw'published at 19:11 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Andy Townsend
    Ex-Republic of Ireland international on BBC Radio 5 live

    You can't play for a draw. To start with the mindset and attitude has to be to win the game - if you don't have that then you can create real problems.

  2. 'Wales will want to win the game'published at 19:10 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    John Hartson
    Former Wales striker in Cardiff

    Wales will want to win the game and take the three points - and finish the campaign better than they started it. They want to continue the momentum they have at the moment and win their fourth straight game.

  3. Postpublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    If the game is level going into the final 10 minutes or so it could be absolutely fascinating. A draw is enough for Wales to finish second, but could mean that they miss out on the play-offs altogether.

    So do they then push for a winner and risk losing?

  4. Get involvedpublished at 19:09 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    Here is a scenario, Wales and Ireland drawing as we enter injury time. A result that could take us both out. Has to be a winner tonight. Own goal anyone? We need one through...

    Mark, North Wales.

  5. 'A great game in store'published at 19:08 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Andy Townsend
    Ex-Republic of Ireland international on BBC Radio 5 live

    We are in for a great night. In an era where international football has been criticised all of a sudden we have a great game here. It is absolutely winner takes all.

  6. Our last World Cuppublished at 19:08 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Irish fans haven't had to wait quite so long but it will still be 16 years next summer since their last dance on the global dancefloor. A generation of fans will not have seen Ireland play in the World Cup.

    Robbie KeaneImage source, Getty Images

    Roy Keane's rant, Robbie Keane's finish, Mick McCarthy and penalty shoot-out woe. 2002 had it all for the Irish as they were beaten by Spain in the last 16.

  7. Our last World Cuppublished at 19:06 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Wales have only made it to one World Cup finals.

    They were quarter-finalists in Sweden in 1958, losing to a Pele-inspired Brazil after getting through the group with three draws.

    Classic.

    1958 WalesImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    You don't get v-necks like that any more

  8. Nothing can top this surely?published at 19:05 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Media caption,

    'You have never seen anything like that in your life'

    Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been nominated for Fifa's Puskas Award for his 'scorpion kick' volley against Crystal Palace in January.

    The 31-year-old's effort has been shortlisted along with those by Venezuela's Deyna Castellanos and South African keeper Oscarine Masuluke.

    A GOALKEEPER SCORING AN OVERHEAD KICK! Come on now!

    The winner of the goal of the year will be announced in London on 23 October.

  9. Postpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    This cannot be good news...

  10. Who has already qualified?published at 19:02 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Costa RicaImage source, Getty Images

    The line-up is taking shape, slowly but surely.

    Russia (hosts), Belgium, England, Germany (holders), Poland, Spain, Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, South Korea, Saudi Arabia.

  11. Get involvedpublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    Tom: What happens if Serbia lose 1-0 and Wales drew 6-6 with ROI?

    You're already asking hard questions and it doesn't kick-off for 45 minutes! If that happens, then the table-toppers would be decided on fair play points...

  12. The race for the play-offspublished at 18:58 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    This is where life gets complicated.

    There are nine groups, but only eight teams can enter the play-offs. So here is a table of the nine teams currently in second place in each group...

    (well, the teams from fourth to ninth anyway)

    TableImage source, BBC Sport

    Herein lies a dilemma for Wales. A point tonight will guarantee second place in Group D, but could leave them facing finishing ninth in this table and therefore missing out.

    It all obviously depends on a lot of other results. But Wales can save everyone a lot of head scratching with a win. Or a defeat, which would put Ireland into the play-offs!

  13. Tune in now...published at 18:57 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 live

    There is full commentary from Cardiff for you to enjoy on 5 live tonight, with build-up from 19:00 BST with Mark Chapman.

    Listen within this page. Just press play!

  14. What do Serbia need?published at 18:57 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Serbia v Georgia (19:45 BST)

    Serbia goalImage source, Getty Images

    Wales and the Republic are battling it out but group leaders Serbia are assured of a top-two finish and a win against Georgia tonight would seal top spot.

    A draw and even a one-goal defeat could also be enough depending on what happens in the Wales v Ireland game.

    All eyes on Cardiff...

  15. In and around the gamepublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

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  16. Get involvedpublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    James is all over the Republic's selection policy...

    I get Ireland's selection. Away from home and need a win....what's going to make that harder? Conceding early on. Wales will want an early goal, especially at home, nullify them and frustrate the crowd, not an adventurous game plan, but Ireland only need to nick one goal and dig in.

    James

  17. Nothing to fear but fear itselfpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Chros COlemanImage source, PA

    Wales manager Chris Coleman wants his "golden generation" to forget the past and make more history when they face the Republic of Ireland.

    Coleman guided Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 - their first major tournament for 58 years.

    And a win tonight could take them to their first World Cup since 1958.

    "There is nothing for the players to fear," said Coleman. "I think both teams are going to go for it."

  18. Send for Pythagoraspublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Ian Brown
    BBC Radio 5 live in Cardiff

    When the World Cup qualifying draw revealed its hand in St Petersburg two summers ago, a blanket finish to European Group D immediately seemed feasible.

    And so it has proved with Cardiff preparing to stage its biggest international since that Paul Bodin penalty miss 24 years ago.

    Tonight's game has taken on the aura of the ultimate winner-takes-all encounter. But, strangely, the size of the prize remains unknown.

    Lemur abacusImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    'And there's been a goal in Belgrade! Update the tables...'

    The minimum reward for the victors will be a play-off berth but a positive result could be enough to take either Wales or the Republic of Ireland directly to the finals in Russia - that's IF Serbia slip up against Georgia.

    But what if the Celtic countries slug out a draw? Well, that would be curtains for the Republic and potentially calamitous for Wales depending on Serbia and the result of Ukraine v Croatia in a completely different group.

    So events in Cardiff, Belgrade and possibly Kiev will determine who is celebrating tonight.

    Pythagoras might be required in the commentary box, but you can definitely hear myself, John Hartson, Andy Townsend and 33,000 voices on Five Live and the BBC Sport App from 19:00 BST.

  19. World Cup dreamspublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    What would qualifying for the World Cup mean to you?Whether you support Wales, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland we want to know how you're feeling, and where you're following from tonight.

    Can you do it? What would it mean if you did make it?

    FansImage source, PA

    Get in touch with us on 81111 (UK Only, with a name on) or tweet us at #bbcfootball.

  20. Nervy timespublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Juliette Ferrington
    BBC Radio 5 live in Cardiff

    Waiting patiently with the hundreds of Welsh fans for the team coach to arrive I had a chat with some of them.

    One told me he was so nervous about tonight that he wouldn’t be able to enjoy until the last minute with Wales winning.

    Wales fans

    It’s definitely got a tense feeling outside the ground ahead of this winner-take-all Group D encounter but also it’s an event now when Wales play, which it never used to be.

    Those who caught a glimpse of their heroes shouted plenty of encouraging words as they entered the ground.