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. Postpublished at 19:34 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    The XI Martin O'Neill has picked tonight says the opposite to me - keep it at 0-0 until the 65th minute, then throw Wes Hoolahan on?

  2. 'We can win'published at 19:33 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, speaking to Sky Sports: "Shane Long had a couple of chances for us the other night, I think he could have caused Wales problems but he just hasn't recovered in time.

    "Even if it is a cagey start - and I am not predicting that to happen - I think it will open up. We have some good players and I think we can win."

  3. Get involvedpublished at 19:32 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    Euro 2016 qualification only required Wales to finish second in their qualifying group. They’re second in the group this time so they are consistent. There are just fewer spaces for World Cup qualification.

    Chris, Worcester

  4. Postpublished at 19:31 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    That anthem is going to be mega loud. Think The Who at the Valley loud.

  5. Sing your hearts out for the ladspublished at 19:29 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Juliette Ferrington
    BBC Radio 5 live in Cardiff

    Wales will be taking their anthem to the next level tonight and it’s set to be an emotional one.

    Arguably it’s the best anyway but when Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is stripped back and in the hearts and voices of thirty thousand Welsh fans it’s special.

    And that’s what will happen tonight.

    Wales

    The idea came from the players after the Georgian FA accidentally cut short the Welsh anthem on Friday but the two thousand or so in Tbilisi carried on with the Gwlads!

    So the Welsh FA have said they’ll start off with a few notes before turning the music down and allowing thirty thousand fans to sing with passion, pride and welly.

    Goosebumps, and I’m not even Welsh!

  6. Coleman in the standspublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Seamus ColemanImage source, PA

    Seamus Coleman, who broke his leg in the reverse fixture in March, has been involved with the squad this week despite being a long way from a return. He's sitting next to Shane Long in the stands as the players complete their warm-ups.

    Neil Taylor, who was red carded for the offending challenge, is on the bench for Wales.

  7. To go right to the wire?published at 19:25 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

    In my era playing for Ireland it was always hard work, it was still right to the wire to qualify. Everyone was biting their fingernails in the last seconds of the match.

  8. One up frontpublished at 19:23 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Daryl Murphy is averaging a goal every 55 minutes in World Cup qualifying for Ireland (three goals scored in 166 minutes).

    Daryl MurphyImage source, Getty Images
  9. 'They know how to win big games'published at 19:22 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    John Hartson
    Former Wales striker in Cardiff

    Republic of Ireland know how to win big games. Let's not forget they beat Germany in Dublin before the Euros, then got through the play-off with Bosnia and then beat Italy at Euro 2016.

    Martin O'Neill will get Ireland organised and disciplined.

  10. Get involvedpublished at 19:21 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    #bbcfootball

    Steven Mayhew: I'd rather there be a winner in the Wales/ROI game, then hope Croatia also draw. Double draw = potential fair play knockout.

  11. What's at stake?published at 19:21 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    If you're just tuning in, a quick reminder:

    If Wales win, they are at least in the play-offs, and could win Group D depending on how Serbia get on.

    If the Republic of Ireland win, they are in the play-offs.

    If it's a draw, Wales will finish second in the group but may not be in the play-offs. Ireland will be out.

  12. Happy clapperspublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Juliette Ferrington
    BBC Radio 5 live in Cardiff

    I’ve just found these two fellas in the home end so offered them one of the thirty thousand happy clappers that have been laid on the seats here.

    It has the words of the Welsh national anthem on it... they politely declined!

    Republic of Ireland fans
  13. 'Like a scene from Game of Thrones'published at 19:19 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

    Irish fansImage source, Reuters

    I got the train down from the midlands and I thought I'd get a quiet cabin but it was like a scene out of Game of Thrones.

    A load of Irish fans appeared from nowhere, a little under the influence I would say, from one or two early beverages in the day. I think whatever the outcome tonight there will be genuine good wishes from each sets of fans.

  14. Postpublished at 19:18 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    The atmosphere in Cardiff has looked brilliant all day - plenty of fans out enjoying the hostelries of the city. This is a cracking international game. And you can't say that too often.

  15. 'Making our own history'published at 19:17 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Wales manager Chris Coleman on Sky Sports: "It is going to be two sets of players well matched, who know each inside out. For us, we have to play our game and not worry about the opponents. Stay focused. 90 plus minutes. We need to make sure we stick to the plan. We have momentum. The players know what they need to do. What we must not do is think about something that isn't here.

    "The last campaign, every game we played was the biggest game. We can't control the past. It is nothing to do with us. This is a new generation. They are making their own history."

  16. 'Nothing as creative as an Irishman without a ticket...'published at 19:16 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

    There are plenty of Ireland fans dotted around the stadium. There is nothing as creative as an Irishman without a ticket.

    TicketsImage source, Getty Images
  17. Who else can qualify tonight?published at 19:13 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Iceland v Kosovo (19:45 BST)

    Iceland fansImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Brace yourselves Russia...

    They stole plenty of hearts last summer and embarrassed England along the way. Now Iceland are closing in on a first World Cup appearance.

    The same old stats will be repeated, but it truly is remarkable really. A nation with roughly the same population as Leicester, or Belfast, or Cardiff, taking on the World.

    Iceland will win Group I tonight if they beat Kosovo. Even a defeat could be enough if there is no winner between Ukraine and Croatia.

    SpainImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Spain qualified with a win on Friday night

    Ukraine and Croatia can also still win the group though if Iceland slip up.

    In Group G it's all already taken care of. Spain have won it, Italy are in the play-offs.

  18. 'Keep it tight and wait for the moment'published at 19:13 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

    Being without Jon Walters, and losing Shane Long is a blow for the republic, while Scott Hogan has been misfiring for Aston Villa so it is no surprise for me to see Harry Arter in there. We are away from home. It might suit us to have extra bodies in midfield, frustrate, keep it tight and wait for our moment.

  19. Cue Morellopublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport at the Cardiff City Stadium

    As if Wales' players weren't fired up enough already, the person in charge of the Cardiff City Stadium sound system thought they would make sure by playing Rage Against the Machine's 'Renegades of Funk' to welcome the home side on to the pitch for their warm-up.

  20. Team newspublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 9 October 2017

    Wales v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)

    Wales manager Chris Coleman makes one change from the team which won in Georgia on Friday, with striker Hal Robson-Kanu replacing Sam Vokes.

    Wales XI: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies; King, Allen, Ledey; Ramsey, Lawrence; Robson-Kanu.

    .Image source, .

    Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, meanwhile, makes three changes from Friday’s victory over Moldova as Harry Arter, Robbie Brady and James McClean replace Wes Hoolahan, Callum O’Dowda and the injured Shane Long.

    Republic of Ireland XI: Randolph; Christie, Duffy, Clark, Ward; McClean, Arter, Meyler, Hendrick, Brady; Murphy.

    .Image source, .