Summary

  • Wales begin life without Gareth Bale with a dramatic draw away at World Cup semi-finalists Croatia

  • Andrej Kramaric gives Croatia the lead after 28 minutes in Split

  • Nathan Broadhead scores in the last minute on his debut to earn Wales a point

  • Wales and Croatia in group D alongside Armenia, Latvia and Turkey

  1. Goodnight and thanks for joining uspublished at 22:08 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Nathan Broadhead celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    So, as we all confidently predicted beforehand, Wales leave Croatia with a point on the board.

    Okay, okay, at no stage were we expecting that - which is what makes it a fairly joyous night for Robert Page's team.

    They struggled to cope with Croatia at times, but were never over-run and stayed in the game until the end.

    Nathan Broadhead's memorable debut goal means Wales are off and running in their bid to reach Euro 2024 having taken a point from what, on paper, is the hardest fixture they will face in this qualifying campaign.

    And so to Tuesday night, when Latvia - who are ranked 133rd in the world - come to Cardiff.

    Wales must build on this draw by winning that game.

    Join us again to find out how they do.

  2. 'As soon as they get home it is focus on Tuesday'published at 22:04 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    I think it's brilliant, they need to enjoy that and as soon as they get home it is focus on Tuesday.

    Fantastic moment, you know when you've stolen a point as a footballer but it doesn't make it any less sweet.

  3. 'It doesn't get much better than that'published at 22:02 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Aaron RamseyImage source, FAW

    Wales captain Aaron Ramsey said: "I'm absolutely delighted with that, really proud of the team's performance tonight.

    "We knew we'd have long periods without the ball, they keep the ball well, but we kept ourselves in the game and were patient.

    "To score late on like that, it feels a little more special.

    "We need everyone, it was important for the subs to be ready and make an impact so I'm delighted for Nathan to score on his debut - it doesn't get much better than that.

    "Everyone will be really important in qualifying so I'm delighted to come away from a place like this with a point tonight.

    "We stuck to the game plan and now we can focus on Tuesday's game."

  4. Postpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    It is not just about coming to Croatia and getting a result, it's about wanting to play better, wanting to entertain, wanting to become a better team and not being in the situation where you're one goal down in the last minute.

    Rob Page will be under no illusion, things will have to improve.

  5. Postpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    You can hear Men of Harlech being belted out in Split, which is always a good sign if you're Welsh.

  6. Postpublished at 21:56 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    Wales will be disappointed with certain areas of the game, the goal in particular that they did concede, and will be disappointed with some of their ball retention.

    But it is not easy to go there and have good ball retention because Croatia are a wonderful side.

  7. Postpublished at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    You don't take anything for granted, if you're a Welsh player that's what you take into that game on Tuesday.

    We are in a game tonight where we have nicked a point right at the death.

    Let's not go into the Latvia game thinking it's a done deal, let's go and win the game.

  8. 'Croatia will be kicking themselves'published at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    We've done it before and we have done it tonight.

    The players have stuck in there, kept themselves in the game, ridden their luck at times, but that's football - you are going to give up chances against a team like Croatia.

    Croatia weren't comfortable with the long throws. They were causing problems. Croatia will be kicking themselves.

  9. Broadhead 'overwhelmed' with debut goalpublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Wales goalscorer Nathan Broadhead told S4C: "I got a bit overwhelmed to be honest, a bit emotional.

    "I've been waiting for this moment for so long.

    "We needed a point, we came here to try and win but to get a point is good as well.

    "We are made up."

    Wales midfielder Ethan Ampadu added: "Going 1-0 down, we knew they'd control parts of the game which they did, but we knew we'd get our chance.

    "Every one is buzzing for him, thanks to Broady for giving us that goal.

    "We have to manage expectations, we want to win that game [against Latvia], but we will let Broady enjoy this one tonight."

  10. Postpublished at 21:46 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Rob Phillips
    BBC Wales Football Correspondent

    It was so unexpected. We absolutely love football for moments like this.

    It's one of those nights and there are 1,800 Red Wall fans waving their shirts in celebration.

    What a transformative goal that might be, not just for Nathan Broadhead, but for Wales' prospects and for the thoughts on Rob Page, because he has been questioned since the World Cup.

  11. Postpublished at 21:45 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    Call it lucky, call it what you want but one of those subs has come up with a moment of magic and Nathan Broadhead did really well to finish that at the far post.

    I am delighted for him, delighted for the team and really pleased for Rob Page.

    It's a massive, massive point and it's up to them to follow it up on Tuesday night.

  12. Postpublished at 21:45 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    We were questioning Rob Page's substitutions - either genius or people asking why he made them so early.

    Last minute of the game Broadhead just gambles, what you should do, and squeezes it in.

    I am absolutely delighted for them. That is football, that is why we love it.

  13. Postpublished at 21:43 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    An absolutely unbelieveable moment for young Nathan Broadhead.

    Long throw, we have tried it so many times in this game and it hasn't worked out, final minute a little flick-on, Broadhead in at the far stick with a simple tap-in.

    Absolutely outrageous, what a result.

  14. Broadhead's moment to rememberpublished at 21:42 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Wales were second best throughout the game, other than perhaps a brief spell at the start of the second half.

    Their only consistent threat was Connor Roberts' long throws, and in the dying seconds of added time it was one of the Burnley defender's deliveries which produced an equaliser.

    Nathan Broadhead, the former Everton youngster who plays for League One Ipswich, has a goal he will never forget and Wales have a very unlikely point.

  15. FULL-TIME - Croatia 1-1 Walespublished at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    The whistle goes.

    It's a funny old game, as someone once said.

  16. Postpublished at 90 +4 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Wales

    Croatia almost respond immediately but Ivan Perisic's 20-yard shot is straight at Danny Ward.

  17. goal

    GOAL - Croatia 1-1 Walespublished at 90 +3 mins

    Nathan Broadhead

    Extraordinary!

    Wales level in the last minute of added time.

    Connor Roberts' long throw is flicked on by Chris Mepham and debutant Nathan Broadhead taps in at the far post.

  18. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 90 +2 mins

    Croatia 1-0 Wales

    A Wales debut for Jordan James as he comes on for Joe Morrell.

    Meanwhile Luka Modric's night is over. He is replaced by Lovro Majer.

  19. Postpublished at 90 +1 mins

    Croatia 1-0 Wales

    We are into three minutes of added time.

  20. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Croatia 1-0 Wales

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    If I am totally honest, I am a little disappointed that when we had the momentum, the changes were made.