Euro 2024 qualifiers: Armenia 1-1 Wales - reaction

1. Click icons at top of page to choose between live radio commentaries
2. Armenia won 4-2 in Cardiff in June
3. Wales captain Aaron Ramsey travelled with squad but remains out injured
4. Ben Davies continues as skipper in unchanged side, Brennan Johnson and Daniel James come off bench
5. Lucas Zelarayan fires hosts into early lead
6. An own goal brings Wales level just before half-time as Connor Roberts' long throw goes in off Nair Tyknizyan
7. Vahan Bichakchyan hits the bar just after the hour mark, before Danny Ward denies Edgar Sevikykn late on
8. Draw means automatic qualification is no longer in Wales' hands
9. Group D rivals Latvia and Croatia meet at 17:00 GMT

Dafydd Pritchard

BBC Sport Wales at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium

The goal may have only come in the fifth minute but Armenia had started brightly - and the atmosphere has exploded in Yerevan.

The flares are going off, the home fans are on their feet and chanting. Wales look stunned.

Lucas Zelarayan scored Armenia's first when they won in Cardiff. Ominous.

Kath Morgan

Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Cymru

It's the worst possible start for Wales and we have to make sure we control this game now.

You have to praise the goal, it's of the highest quality.

Danny Gabbidon

Former Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

To not deal with that second phase and allow a player to run across the 18-yard box, Ethan Ampadu will be disappointed to allow that shot to get away.

Not the ideal start but there is plenty of time to get back into this.

CLOSE!

Close to an instant reply from Wales.

David Brooks sees the ball fall for him in a crowded penalty area, but he fires over the crossbar.

Iwan Roberts

Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Cymru

Fair play, it's a brilliant strike.

There was no chance for Danny Ward.

GOAL - Armenia 1-0 Wales

The hosts in front.

Wales fail to clear from a corner and Lucas Zelarayan cuts inside and fires into the bottom corner of the net, in off the post.

A great start for Armenia.

Really bright start by the hosts.

Artak Dashyan's shot is deflected over for a corner.

Over 90% possession for Armenia so far.

Wales in white today, the hosts in red.

Sounds like the atmosphere is building at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.

Armenia try to get on the front foot straight away.

The hosts' slim hopes of qualifying mean a draw is no good to them here, they need three points.

So you would expect both sides to look to get forward, this should be a good one for the neutrals.

KICK-OFF

French referee Benoît Bastien gets us under way at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan.

Wales' destiny is in their own hands at the moment, they need to win this afternoon to ensure it remains so.

Kath Morgan

Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Cymru

The boys are experienced enough to know how big this game is.

They can only control what they can control.

There is pressure on the team but they've felt this before and they've prepared well.

Today's key statistics

• Armenia are unbeaten in their three previous matches against Wales (one win, two draws).

• Wales' only previous away game against Armenia was back in March 2001 in a World Cup qualifier, drawing 2-2 with John Hartson scoring both goals.

• Having beaten Wales earlier in this European Championship qualifying campaign, Armenia are looking to record home and away wins against a nation in a single campaign for the first time since Euro 2012 qualifying, when they did so against both Slovakia and Andorra.

• Wales have won their past three games in all competitions, last recording a run of four consecutive victories between November 2019 and September 2020.

• Wales have not lost twice against a nation in a European Championship qualifying campaign since Euro 2012 qualifying, when they were beaten twice by England.

• Since winning five games in a row between November 2020 and March 2021, Armenia have won just four of their past 27 games in all competitions (seven draws, 16 defeats) and have lost their past three in a row.

• Daniel James has been involved in five goals in his past five appearances for Wales (one goal, four assists), averaging a goal or assist every 65 minutes. James has three assists in his past two games despite coming on as a substitute in both matches.

FAW

Wales a 'band of brothers'

Captain Ben Davies says this Wales team are a “band of brothers” as they bid to qualify for a third straight European Championship.

They have struggled at times during this qualifying campaign, but Wales will reach Euro 2024 if they win their final two matches in this group.

Euro 2024 qualifying: Wales a 'band of brothers', says captain Davies before Armenia test

Rugby's TMO 'way ahead' of VAR

It is the talking point you cannot avoid in top-level football just now, and Rob Page has been giving his thoughts on the video assistant referee (VAR) system prior to this game.

The Wales boss says rugby union's television match officials are "way ahead" of football's VAR system and called for change.

VAR will be available to the match officials this afternoon and in Tuesday's game against Turkey.

"Fans are in the dark," said Page.

"I don't know what the answers are but something needs to be done."

Read more: Wales boss Rob Page says rugby's TMO 'way ahead' of VAR

Getty Images

Wayne Hennessey's red card against Iran in the World Cup was originally a yellow card before a VAR check

'It's my time' - Wilson

Wales and Fulham forward Harry Wilson says he's "stepped up to the plate" for his country in the absence of the retired Gareth Bale and the injured Aaron Ramsey.

Wales will be looking to Wilson for inspiration once more this afternoon after he scored both their goals in October's 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifier victory against Croatia, marking his 50th cap in style.

He has started every competitive Wales match since the World Cup a year ago.

No wonder his manager has described his as a main man.

Euro 2024 qualifiers: 'It's my time' - Wales' Wilson

Summer defeat 'one of Wales' worst performances'

Nathan Blake

Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

I think that was Armenia at their best and one of our worst performances in a long time.

Injured Ramsey travels to Armenia

Although captain Aaron Ramsey remains unavailable with a knee injury having also missed Wales' October games, the Cardiff City midfielder is with the Wales squad in Armenia.

"Rambo's travelled with the lads, which is brilliant," Wales boss Rob Page said.

"It's the presence around the changing room. I used to say it with Gareth [Bale, Wales' former captain]. Aaron falls into the same category for me.

"The wealth of experience he's got. Just being around young JJ (Jordan James), who can pick his brains on just about anything.

"He's the captain and he's been wanting to travel. He's been with the group all week.

"He's gone off and done his own bits today. We've had to find a training ground for him today. But he wants to be around the boys and I think that speaks volumes about what we've got as a group."

FAW

How can Wales qualify for Euro 2024?

Confused about how Euro qualifying works?

Put your abacus down, we've got you covered.

BBC News' Iolo Cheung has compiled this guide for you.

Thank you Iolo.

Read more: Euro 2024 qualifiers - How can Wales qualify?

Huw Evans Picture Agency

Iwan Roberts

Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Cymru

The difference for me since conceding four goals against Armenia, I think the defensive solidity has returned.

We've only conceded once in the last four.

Joe Rodon is playing his best football for years and Ben Davies played the full game for Spurs last weekend.

New Wales call-up's fresh start

An international call-up is a huge deal for Niall Huggins, who begins on the bench this afternoon.

Huggins turns 23 next month but feels like his professional career is only just beginning.

The Sunderland full-back has endured a "nightmare" two years, with career-threatening injuries limiting him to just 16 starts at senior level.

But having impressed this season in the Championship, Huggins has earned a first call-up to the Wales squad and is eager to make up for lost time.

"It literally feels like I'm starting my professional career," he said.

"I've always been confident but the last two years I've struggled to show that. This is the first year where I can really show what I can do and what level I can play at.

"To have the call-up to the senior team shows that even more."

Read more: New Wales call-up Niall Huggins' fresh start after injury 'nightmare'

FAW