Summary

  • Finland reduced to 10 men after Jere Uronen saw red for tackle on Harry Wilson

  • Wilson scored after 29 minutes to put Wales firmly in the driving seat

  • Daniel James doubles Wales' advantage early in the second half

  • Teemu Pukki ended Wales' 12 hours without conceding and caused nervous moments

  • Kieffer Moore scored off the bench to seal Nations League promotion

  • Wales finish top of Group B4 and win promotion to the top tier of the competition

  1. Diolch yn fawrpublished at 22:14 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2020

    FT: Wales 3-1 Finland

    Well this is all very positive for Wales isn’t it?

    The numbers don’t lie and the stats around their Nations League group B4 win make for very happy reading.

    Wales are now unbeaten in 11 competitive games for the first time ever, winning eight and drawing three since losing to Hungary in June 2019.

    They also went over 12 hours without conceding a goal in competitive matches until Teemu Pukki’s goal, as Wales made it 10 games without defeat at home, also a new record.

    Gareth Bale has been directly involved in 14 goals in his past 14 home games for Wales, scoring nine and assisting five, but even he was overshadowed by a superb performance by Daniel James, who reminded a lot of people just how good he can be.

    Wales will now be promoted to the top tier of the Nations League and that is only going to help with future seedings and possible play-off places for major tournaments.

    And all that despite Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen being unavailable throughout the campaign.

    Another excellent international break for Wales fans.

    Gareth Bale and Chris Gunter at full timeImage source, Getty Images
  2. Wales players should be proud of achievement - Pagepublished at 22:12 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2020

    FT: Wales 3-1 Finland

    Wales assistant manager Rob Page told Sky Sports: "It's massive, we achieved what we set out to do, they've shown resilience and to go unbeaten is something to be very proud of.

    "We made the change at half time because we needed that extra forward to capitalise on the extra man, there were some nervous moments but like I said there are so many positives.

    "Dan James works so hard in training and he deserves that goal, and Bale has got the buzz back, he's now at a club that shows him love and that's what we all need."

    Rob PageImage source, Getty Images
  3. Wilson looking forward to Group A challengepublished at 22:08 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2020

    FT: Wales 3-1 Finland

    Wales goal scorer Harry Wilson told Sky Sports: "From a personal note I was delighted to get the ball, Gareth [Bale] has the quality to find you and you just have to make the run.

    "I think it set us on the way, sometimes with a man extra it can be difficult to break teams down but we set a goal to win the game and we did that.

    "We let them back into the game, we could have kept the ball a bit better, but all in all we've topped the group.

    "Group A is where you want to be, we look forward to that, it's up to us now to make ourselves proud when we're there."

    Harry WilsonImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'Success has been built from defence' - Jamespublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2020

    FT: Wales 3-1 Finland

    Wales goal scorer Daniel James told Sky Sports: "I'm really pleased, coming in we knew we didn't have to win but we wanted to.

    "I've not even thought about it and I've taken a shot, I've had a lot of those recently which haven't gone my way but thankfully today it did.

    "At the start we had to keep everything the same, at half time we changed the formation and how we pressed but even with 10 men they caused us problems.

    "Today was the first goal we conceded in the group, I think the back four are disappointed with that, but ultimately this success has been built from the defence."

    Daniel JamesImage source, Getty Images
  5. Promotion sets foundations for Euros - Balepublished at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2020

    FT: Wales 3-1 Finland

    Wales captain Gareth Bale told Sky Sports: "It's a big achievement to go through this campaign and not lose a game.

    "It sets the foundations going into the Euros as well.

    "The red card gave us more control of the game, it didn't make it easier because you can switch off but we kept going and got the goals when we needed to.

    "I got an assist at the start but the most important thing is we got the win and the result.

    "It's taking time [to get back fit], I'm getting there though. I think being 2-0 up the manager kept Tottenham happy."

    Gareth BaleImage source, Getty Images
  6. FULL-TIME - Wales 3-1 Finlandpublished at 21:38 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2020

    There we have it.

    It's all over and Wales have won their Nations League group and will be promoted.

    Wales celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  7. A great performance from the Manchester United wingerpublished at 90+3

    Wales 3-1 Finland

    Surely man of the match?

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  8. 99 capspublished at 90+2

    Wales 3-1 Finland

    This is lovely.

    Wales have won the group so, you know, why not slip in cap number 99 for Chris Gunter?

    He's on with 90 seconds left to replace Rhys Norrington-Davies.

    One cap away.

  9. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Wales 3-1 Finland

    We are into four minutes of added on time.

  10. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Wales 3-1 Finland

    Tom Lawrence shoots, but his effort from distance fizzes just past the post.

  11. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 89 mins

    Wales 3-1 Finland

    Dan James and Harry Wilson, who have both scored and been excellent, come off with David Brooks and Tyler Roberts on, while Marcus Forss replaces Teemu Pukki.

  12. Postpublished at 88 mins

    Wales 3-1 Finland

    Kieffer Moore curls just wide from 20-yards.

  13. Postpublished at 87 mins

    Wales 3-1 Finland

    This has been the most entertaining Nations League game for Wales in this campaign by a huge distance.

    A really nice way to finish.

  14. CLOSE!published at 85 mins

    Wales 3-1 Finland

    Finland just don't seem to understand that whenever I say the game is over, they make me look stupid by nearly scoring!

    This time it's Pukki again as he peels off his marker and hits a fierce shot which strikes the outside of the post.

    Unlucky not to get his second.

  15. goal

    GOAL - Wales 3-1 Finlandpublished at 84 mins

    Kieffer Moore

    That's that.

    Daniel James stands up an absolutely perfect cross for the big man and he can't miss, that's exactly where Kieffer Moore wants the ball and he heads home.

    Game, set and match... and promotion.

    Moore headerImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 82 mins

    Wales 2-1 Finland

    Wales clear a Finland corner.

    All credit to the visitors that this is still a contest.

  17. CLOSE!published at 79 mins

    Wales 2-1 Finland

    Daniel James is full of confidence and shoots first time after being found by Tom Lawrence, but Lukas Hradecky pushes to safety.

    Into the final 10 minutes.

  18. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Wales 2-1 Finland

    Kieffer Moore back on, but moving a little gingerly.

  19. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Wales 2-1 Finland

    Cardiff City fans, look away now.

    Harry Wilson has just been down for treatment and now Kieffer Moore is down.

    Kieffer Moore downImage source, Getty Images
  20. YELLOW CARDpublished at 75 mins

    Wales 2-1 Finland

    Ethan Ampadu goes into the book.