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 9 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Now Gareth Bale finding space and getting into the act, earning a free-kick down on the left.

  2. Postpublished at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

    Well, that has livened up what was already a fervent atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium.

    Daniel James has been in scintillating form for Swansea City recently, and he clearly loved that, his first goal for Wales on what is his first competitive start for his country.

  3. Postpublished at 8 mins

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    That has livened the Cardiff crowd up even more.

    Great atmosphere.

    Now can Wales keep it going?

  4. Postpublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 1-0 Slovakia

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It's the perfect start for Wales. They've been on the front foot, pressing high and trying to cause mistakes and that's exactly what happens here. Dan James is on to the defender's mistake in a flash and the keeper has no chance. What a brilliant start for Wales.

    Daniel JamesImage source, Getty Images
  5. goal

    GOAL - Wales 1-0 Slovakiapublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Dan James (5 mins)

    A DREAM START FOR WALES!

    This is made by Bournemouth man David Brooks, bursting forward from the halfway line, but his pass is wayward and Slovakia full-back Peter Pekarik cuts it out.

    But he dawdles on the ball on the edge of the box, Dan James nips in and smashes an unstoppable finish low into the net.

    A goal on the Swansea man's first competitive start.

    Wales celebrateImage source, Reuters
  6. Postpublished at 4 mins

    Wales 0-0 Slovakia

    First effort at goal comes from the visitors, but Denis Vavro blazes over from outside the area.

  7. Postpublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 0-0 Slovakia

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    That was good early pressure from Slovakia. Marek Hamsik has been on the ball early, dictating play. Wales need to lock him down early or he will cause them problems.

  8. Postpublished at 2 mins

    Wales 0-0 Slovakia

    Slovakia full-back Peter Pekarik bombing forward down the right.

    Wasn't he the tongue-twister guy?

    Peter Pekarik picked a peck of pickled peppers.

  9. Postpublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales 0-0 Slovakia

    Simon Gleave
    Head of sports analysis, Gracenote

    Big match already for Wales this afternoon in their opening Euro 2020 qualifying fixture. Slovakia are the main rivals to the Welsh for second place in Group E behind favourites Croatia. Slovakia are ranked 36 in the world by the Gracenote Live world ranking, Wales are three places lower.

  10. KICK-OFFpublished at 1 min

    Wales 0-0 Slovakia

    Away we go in sunny Cardiff.

    Slovakia fansImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 13:58 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales v Slovakia (14:00 GMT)

    Anthems o'clock in Cardiff.

    A rousing rendition of Land of My Fathers.

    Ryan Giggs' Dutch assistant Albert Stuivenberg belting it out too!

    Goosebumps.

    Wales teamImage source, Getty Images
  12. 'Not must win'published at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales v Slovakia (14:00 GMT)

    Wales manager Ryan Giggs tells Sky Sports: "I am (confident). There is a lot of quality on the pitch, we have a couple of players out and lack experience but the only way to get that is to play. I believe in the group and there are lads on the bench who can come on and make an impact too.

    "There is expectation around the game, wanting to get off to a good start. There is a plan and we have to stick to it.

    "I don't think it is a must-win game, but it would be good to get off to a good start. If you don't it is not the end of the world, there is time to make up.

    "The crowd make a difference, when we are away from home, it can be hostile. We want to make Cardiff City Stadium a fortress and to make teams come here and fear us."

  13. Welsh winners alreadypublished at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    #FAPeoplesCup

    Wales could do with some of this finishing by Angelsey's Amlwch, who were taking part in the Male Veteran's category of the FA People's Cup on Saturday...

    Media caption,

    Amlwch on their way to St George's Park after beating Blackpool

    ...and of course there was only one way to celebrate...

    Media caption,

    The Amlwch guys are in full voice for Wales

    The FA People's Cup is a free five-a-side competition - wonder if there will there be any more Welsh winners in today's action?

  14. The main manpublished at 13:48 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales v Slovakia (14:00 GMT)

    Slovakia skipper Marek HamsikImage source, Getty Images

    Slovakia skipper Marek Hamsik spent 12 years at Serie A side Napoli where he became the club's leading appearance maker and overtook Diego Maradona as the highest goalscorer.

    But his time in Italy came to an end in January after making an £18m move to Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.

    The 31-year-old was Slovakia's leading scorer with five goals during the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

  15. Fab fourpublished at 13:42 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales v Slovakia (14:00 GMT)

    Tell you what, that Wales frontline is rather impressive. Gareth Bale, David Brooks, Harry Wilson and the speedster Daniel James.

    Can it be as good as England's Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and Dele Alli? Will they help Wales qualify for Euro 2020?

  16. Last time Slovakia were in Cardiff...published at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales v Slovakia (14:00 GMT)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

    Ask any Welsh football fan about Slovakia and you are likely to see their eyes light up as they reminisce about their opening match at Euro 2016, catharsis in the Bordeaux sunshine for a nation absent from major tournaments for 58 years.

    But the last time Wales faced Slovakia in Cardiff, it was a different story.

    Back in 2006, Slovakia ran riot on a day best remembered for Paul Jones' outlandish haircut and a first Wales goal for a 17-year-old called Gareth Bale.

    You can read more about that day here.

  17. Tune inpublished at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales v Slovakia (14:00 GMT)

    BBC Radio Wales

    You can listen to build-up of this game now of BBC Radio Wales and full commentary will also be on BBC Radio 5 Live and at the top of this page.

    Commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball is alongside former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon.

    Tune in.

  18. Must win?published at 13:26 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales v Slovakia (14:00 GMT)

    Ryan GiggsImage source, Getty Images

    Wales legend Ryan Giggs is into his second year as manager.

    So far he was won four, drawn one and lost five of his 11 games in charge.

    Is this a must-win game already against Slovakia, one of the stronger teams in this group?

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:22 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    #bbcfootball, 81111 (UK only)

    Keith

    Amazing.

  20. Slovakian journalist starstruck by Balepublished at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2019

    Wales v Slovakia (14:00 GMT)

    Wales and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale shows that he has the ability to even make journalists starstruck during a press conference.

    Watch below.

    Media caption,

    Even journalists can get starstruck