Summary

  • James scores Wales' winner on first competitive start

  • Slovakia seen as Wales' main rivals for a top-two spot

  • Williams comes on for 85th cap, level with Gary Speed

  • Croatia, Azerbaijan & Hungary other teams in Group E

  • Top two qualify for Euro 2020

  1. Postpublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    That was a good period of pressure from Slovakia. The hosts have just dropped off a bit physically. They're sitting in at the moment.

    Ryan GiggsImage source, AFP
  2. YELLOW CARDpublished at 31 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Dan James' pace is frightening and Slovakia are scared, very scared.

    The goalscorer skips down the left and Denis Vavro comes in with a late, sliding challenge to bring down the Swansea man an earn a booking.

    Daniel JamesImage source, Getty Images
  3. Gung hopublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

    Ryan Giggs will be loving how his Wales side have started.

    He often talks about wanting to see his players express themselves and excite the Welsh fans with their attacking display.

    Well, they've certainly done so so far. Their attacking players are playing with such freedom that their formation resembles a gung-ho 4-2-4 at times.

  4. Postpublished at 27 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    But Wales will have to stay wary at the back.

    Robert Mak and Juraj Kucka play a one-two inside the box, before the latter's low toe-poker is blocked.

  5. Postpublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I couldn't tell you where the front four are playing. It's really nice to see the freedom those Wales attackers have been given.

    Gareth BaleImage source, AFP
  6. Postpublished at 26 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    I don't know how to put into words how well Wales are playing, seriously it's so good.

    Jamie Lawrence has the confidence to come out from the back and fizz the ball into the feet of Gareth Bale, who pops it off to Matt Smith and then Dan James down the left.

    Quick, incisive stuff and Slovakia cannot lay a hand on the Welsh dragon.

    Impressive.

  7. Postpublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It was a massive call for Ryan Giggs to drop Ashley Williams. He has been a mainstay for Wales for so long and the players look up to him. But so far you have to say so good for James Lawrence and Chris Mepham. The back four haven't really had much to do.

    Matthew Smith and Chris MephamImage source, PA
  8. CLOSE!published at 22 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Oh this is joyous stuff from the Welsh.

    A training-ground move from a free-kick is played out wide to Dan James, who lays it off for Ben Davies on the overlap.

    The Tottenham defender picks out David Brooks 12 yards out, but the Bournemouth man sidefoots his first-time effort into the side netting.

  9. Postpublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The movement of Wales is impressive. That time Gareth Bale started deep and played the ball through the lines to Harry Wilson and Slovakia had to bring him down. That was just another example of the fluidity and movement that the Wales front three have.

  10. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Wales' front three are so dangeorus.

    Harry Wilson roams in from the right into the middle of the park and is chopped down by Slovakia midfielder Juraj Kucka.

    No yellow on this occasion.

  11. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Wales star Gareth Bale causing all sorts of problems for the Slovakia backline.

    He skins Peter Pekarik down the left, but the low cross is cut out in the six yard box.

  12. Postpublished at 17 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    A real continental feel about this Welsh side.

    James Lawrence of Anderlecht, Matt Smith of Twente, Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and Joe Allen of Stoke.

  13. Postpublished at 16 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Beautiful delivery from the ever reliable Harry Wilson, which is headed out of the goalkeeper's hands by defender Denis Vavro.

  14. YELLOW CARDpublished at 15 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Horrible challenge from Robert Mak, studs high in on Connor Roberts.

    Definite yellow.

  15. Postpublished at 12 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Lovely football from Wales, popping the ball around confidently and running with pace and style.

    Young Matt Smith of Twente switching it to the right and the 'Welsh Pirlo' Joe Allen also looking to dictate play in the final third.

    It's just like watching England.

  16. Postpublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The contrast in styles between the two teams is stark. Slovakia are controlled in possession, whereas Wales are really direct and trying to get the ball forward as quickly as they can with the pace they have up front.

    Gareth BaleImage source, Reuters
  17. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    It's all Wales.

    Slovakia very much second best at the moment.

    Can the hosts capitalise?

  18. Postpublished at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

    Ryan Giggs has opted for a tracksuit on the touchline so far during his time as Wales manager.

    Today, you can tell it's a big game because the former Wales and Manchester United captain is wearing a suit.

    Ryan GiggsImage source, AFP
  19. Postpublished at 10 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    David Brooks' delivery is poor, cleared by the first defender.

  20. Postpublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The issue when you have so many attacking players in the team is that there are more spaces in midfield for Slovakia to exploit, which could be a concern.