Summary

  • Click icons at top of page to choose between live radio commentaries

  • Armenia won 4-2 in Cardiff in June

  • Wales captain Aaron Ramsey travelled with squad but remains out injured

  • Ben Davies continues as skipper in unchanged side, Brennan Johnson and Daniel James come off bench

  • Lucas Zelarayan fires hosts into early lead

  • An own goal brings Wales level just before half-time as Connor Roberts' long throw goes in off Nair Tyknizyan

  • Vahan Bichakchyan hits the bar just after the hour mark, before Danny Ward denies Edgar Sevikykn late on

  • Draw means automatic qualification is no longer in Wales' hands

  • Group D rivals Latvia and Croatia meet at 17:00 GMT

LIVE stream page 8

  1. Postpublished at 13:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

    I think it's really important not to look far forward to Tuesday, there's a job to do this afternoon.

    But to be in this position with everything in their own hands is very good.

    The lads, the manager and the staff have done tremendously well over the last few games.

  2. Postpublished at 13:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium

    You can tell this ground, the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, was built during the Soviet era.

    There's the combination of ornate and brutalist architecture, the blocks of flats overlooking the stadium.

    It's not full yet, so there's been no sign so far of the hostile atmosphere we've been told to expect.

    Vazgen Sargsyan Republican StadiumImage source, BBC Sport
  3. Page craves Wales consistencypublished at 13:42 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Manager Robert Page insists Wales are not yet contemplating Tuesday's final Euro 2024 qualifier as they focus instead on trying to win in Armenia.

    "Our full focus is on this game," he said.

    "There's enough experience in that changing room of big games, when you need big players step up for big games, and this is a big game for us.

    "We're coming off the back of one of the best performances we've ever had [against Croatia], certainly of my tenure.

    "We can't be complacent, we need consistency when it comes to that level of performance. If we do that, the result will look after itself."

    Both managers during the game in CardiffImage source, G
  4. Rising star James still in dreamlandpublished at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Teenage midfielder Jordan James has his eyes on a place at Euro 2024 qualification after describing last month's win over Croatia as the best night of his life.

    Birmingham City's James, 19, overcame a stellar Croatian midfield featuring the great Luka Modric as Wales won 2-1 last month.

    "I don't think it gets much better than that," James said of the Croatia win.

    "But we've still got a job to do. On paper, that was the toughest game in the group, but we're not going to take the next two games lightly.

    "We know what it means to the country to get to these big tournaments, so that's our focus and hopefully we can do that.

    "[The win over Croatia] was probably the best night of my life.

    "Seeing my family in the crowd and how proud they were, it was a massive win for the country. Hopefully we can do the same in the next two games."

    Read more: Dragons midfielder Jordan James eyes Euro 2024 after dream Croatia win

    Jordan JamesImage source, FAW
    Image caption,

    Jordan James (left) was making only his sixth appearance for Wales when they beat Croatia

  5. Postpublished at 13:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    I woke up this morning, looked at the rising sun and there were three little birds on my window sill.

    They were singing, don't worry about a thing!

    Fantastic.

    The atmosphere's fantastic, Wales are in good spirits.

    The team, we're just watching them warm-up, they look sharp.

    I believe Wales will come out on top.

  6. Wales have 'backs to the wall'published at 13:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    A resurgent Wales have their "backs to the wall" as they aim to qualify for Euro 2024, according to stand-in captain Ben Davies.

    Wales have recovered from a poor start to their campaign to leave themselves needing to beat Armenia and Turkey to seal automatic qualification.

    Tottenham defender Davies, 30, gave an impassioned speech after last month's stirring 2-1 win over Croatia and wants the same intensity and focus for Wales' remaining two matches.

    "We never stopped believing," he said.

    "The mindset we've got is we can get a result against anyone. We've shown that.

    "[The speech] was just a case of showing the reason why we're here. It was backs against the walls stuff, it was showing that people doubted us again but we're still standing.

    "We're standing up against the challenges and here we are with two games to go, still in the fight."

    Media caption,

    Wales channelling 2016 experience for 2024 qualifiers - skipper Ben Davies

  7. Armenia still have chance of reaching Euro 2024published at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium

    Wales need no reminding of Armenia's threat after June's humiliating loss at their hands in Cardiff.

    And although the Armenians are winless in their past four matches, they still have a chance of making it to Euro 2024.

    Oleksandr Petrakov's side, who are fourth in Group D and three points behind Wales, need to win their final two games in order to keep their qualification hopes alive. They end their campaign in Croatia on Tuesday.

    "We are not favourites," Petrakov said yesterday.

    "It will be a totally different game to the one in Wales. History never repeats itself exactly.

    "Even if we want it to, it doesn't repeat itself. This will be a different game."

  8. Wilson has become 'a main man' for Walespublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Harry Wilson wins his 51st cap today having become one of Wales' "main men" as the Gareth Bale era fades into history, according to manager Rob Page.

    Bale's Wales men's record of 41 goals before retiring earned him iconic status among the nation's fans.

    Page says Wilson's squad status has been transformed since the retirements of Bale, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams.

    "Perhaps he looked at it and he was turning up and feeling he was a squad player," said Page of the Fulham star.

    "We had a chat with him in the summer and said: 'You are no longer that person or player - you are a big player for us. Look at what you are doing at club level'.

    "Go back about 12 months ago, he would turn up and expect to be part of the squad, or if he started he would be substituted on the hour mark.

    "But the mentality has changed now.

    "When he plays for us now he's one of the main men and showed that in the last game.

    "I want him to have that mentality that he is one of our top players now and he is going to go and win games for us."

    Wilson's response to that summer chat included both goals in the stunning 2-1 win over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in October which turned around Wales' Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

    Read more: Fulham forward Harry Wilson now one of Wales' 'main men' - Robert Page

    Bale and WilsonImage source, Getty Images
  9. Page positive over Mooney talkspublished at 13:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Wales' successful October, where they stunned Croatia in Cardiff, seemed to be fuelled by a strange rift between Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief executive Noel Mooney and manager Rob Page.

    However, the pair now appear to have smoothed over any cracks in their relationship.

    Page says "only positives" will come from recent talks with Mooney.

    Pressure on Page increased during this Euro 2024 qualifying campaign when Mooney said Wales had to win games.

    The subsequent triumph over Croatia turned around Wales' fortunes.

    Page, Mooney and FAW president Steve Williams have since met, with the manager saying he would not reveal meeting details, but that "it needed to be had".

    Mooney has described that meeting as a "positive, productive discussion".

    Page said: "There was things said that needed to be said and we all want the same outcome.

    "We all want to be successful for Wales and win games of football and qualify for major tournaments.

    "And there's a process that goes along with that, with introducing these young players I'm doing again now, and everybody understands that. There's a clear understanding of what's needed for the future."

    Read more: Wales boss Page says 'only positives' will come from Mooney talks

    Rob Page and Noel MooneyImage source, FAW
  10. Wales fans arrested in Armeniapublished at 13:23 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    A general view of YerevanImage source, Getty Images

    More than 30 Wales football fans have been arrested in Armenia prior to this European Championships qualifier, according to the Football Association of Wales.

    About 1,200 supporters are in capital Yerevan ahead of Saturday's qualifier.

    The Football Association of Wales confirmed 32 fans had been arrested, while the Foreign Office is involved.

    Read more: Wales football fans arrested in Armenia ahead of qualifier

  11. Team news - Armenia name nine that beat Walespublished at 13:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium

    Armenia have named a team which includes nine of the players who started in their 4-2 win over Wales in June.

    Captain Varazdat Haroyan and Vahan Bichakhchyan are the two who did not start in Cardiff, and they replace Tigran Barseghyan and Styopa Mkrtchyan.

    Armenia: Chancharevich; Arutiunian, Haroyan, Calisir, Tikinizyan; Spertsyan, Bichakhchyan, Iwu; Dashyan, Zelarayan, Ranos.

    Subs: Buchnev, Beglaryan, Voskanyan, Mkrtchyan, Sevikyan, Serobyan, Miranyan, Hovhannisyan, Piloyan, Margaryan, Harutyunyan, Wbeymar.

  12. Team news - Wales unchangedpublished at 13:18 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium

    Wales are unchanged from last month's brilliant win over Croatia, as manager Robert Page hinted might be the case.

    That means returning Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson has to make do with a place on the bench, alongside Daniel James among others.

    Uncapped full-backs Niall Huggins and Jay Dasilva are also named as substitutes, so they could make their debuts today.

    Wales: Ward; Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies; Roberts, Ampadu, J. James, Williams; Wilson, Brooks, Moore.

    Subs: Hennessey, King, Lockyer, Cabango, Huggins, Dasilva, Morrell, Sheehan, D. James, Johnson, Broadhead, Bradshaw.

    Brennan Johnson in Wales trainingImage source, FAW
  13. Hello and welcomepublished at 13:15 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2023

    Armenia v Wales (14:00 GMT)

    Hello and welcome to what is a big, big day for Wales as they seek three points against Armenia in Yerevan.

    Despite a mixed start to Wales' European Championship qualifying campaign, a win this afternoon would leave them one win away from qualifying for Euro 2024.

    Wales suffered damaging back-to-back qualifying defeats in June, including a shock 4-2 loss to today's opponents.

    Yet Rob Page's men know their fate is in their own hands in this final international window before the road to the Euros reaches the play-off stage.

    A win today and then a victory in Cardiff on Tuesday against Turkey would send Wales to Germany and a fourth major tournament out of the last five.

    However, there is a long way to go before we can start planning for another Wales away party, so let's focus on this extremely tricky trip to the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.

    Let's take a deep breath, have a cup of tea and look at the all-important team news, shall we?

    Armenia celebrate a goal in CardiffImage source, FAW