Summary

  • Winners beat Finland 4-1 to reach the Euro 2024 qualification play-off final

  • David Brooks puts Wales ahead after two minutes, turning in a rebound after Harry Wilson's initial shot

  • Neco Williams' free-kick doubled Wales' lead, but Teemu Pukki pulled one back before half-time for Finland

  • Brennan Johnson restores Wales' two-goal lead less than two minutes into second half

  • Dan James takes advantage of huge mistake to race clear and scores Wales' fourth to seal their place in the final

  • Poland will visit the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night, with the winner reaching the 2024 European Championships

  1. YELLOW CARDpublished at 22 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Robin Lod booked by the refereeImage source, Getty Images

    Robin Lod clatters Neco Williams and we have our first yellow card.

  2. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Finland have kept probing since their nightmare start.

    They win the first corner of the game, but Wales clear.

    However, the visitors will be encouraged by how the game has gone since Wales scored.

  3. Postpublished at 16 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Jayne Ludlow
    Former Wales manager on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I'm fascinated by the Finnish organisation in possession, there is lots of rotation.

    It's causing Wales problems at the moment, we just need to try and get back on the front foot.

  4. Postpublished at 15 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Since I said it was end to end it's calmed down.

    Wales could do with just keeping the ball for a bit.

  5. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Wales are really causing themselves issues.

    A high ball over the top catches them cold and Teemu Pukki races clear, but his shot was a weak one and straight at Danny Ward.

    Wales then broke and Brennan Johnson went one-on-one, but he was offside.

    End to end!

  6. CLOSE!published at 9 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    A big, big chance to level goes over the bar for the visitors as Daniel Hakans fires over the crossbar after Wales failed to clear from a cross.

    A huge warning for the hosts.

  7. Postpublished at 7 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Sam Vokes
    Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    David Brooks has proven Rob Page right.

    Harry Wilson has done great to take the shot across the keeper and there was Brooks to give Wales the lead.

    We now need to keep this up.

  8. Postpublished at 6 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

    It feels a bit obvious to talk about the importance of a strong start to a game like this, but Wales have come flying out of the traps.

    Cardiff City Stadium was loud during the national anthems, and it's bouncing now.

    If there were some raised eyebrows about Brooks' selection ahead of Kieffer Moore, that should quell any concerns.

  9. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    What a start, you don't get much better than that.

    David Brooks in the right place at the right time, great goal.

  10. Postpublished at 4 mins

    Wales 1-0 Finland

    Was half way through a 'it's a big night for David Brooks' post as it's a big call to select him from the start, when he put Wales ahead.

    Robert Page's big call has already paid off for him, handsomely.

  11. goal

    GOAL - Wales 1-0 Finlandpublished at 2 mins

    David Brooks

    Lift off for Wales!

    It's a sensational start for Wales.

    Harry Wilson wriggles clear and gets a shot away and David Brooks is the most alert man in the penalty area as Lukas Hradecky is only able to parry the ball clear.

    There was still work for Brooks to do, but he smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

    A dream start for Wales.

  12. KICK-OFFpublished at 1 min

    Wales 0-0 Finland

    Referee István Kovács - who I warn you now loves a yellow card - gets us under way in Cardiff.

    For Wales, it's win or stay home.

    Here. We. Go.

  13. Postpublished at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Wales v Finland (19:45 GMT)

    Sam Vokes
    Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    That play-off experience is vital, we've been here before and got the job done.

    This atmosphere is unbelievable, this stadium must be the best night club in Cardiff tonight, the boys will use that experience and this atmosphere to carry them through.

  14. Cacophony in Cardiff for Cymrupublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Wales v Finland (19:45 GMT)

    Can barely hear myself think in this cauldron of noise.

    Wales' fans and Finland's fans are both in top voice.

    It's anthem time.

  15. The Red Wall expectspublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Wales v Finland (19:45 GMT)

    This is what it means... goosebumps.

    Media caption,

    Euro 2024 play-offs: Wales v Finland - The red wall expects

  16. Postpublished at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Wales v Finland (19:45 GMT)

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    I think Wales will start fast tonight, especially with the front three Rob Page has chosen.

    Finland will try and soak up the pressure and silence this crowd, but if Wales can get an early goal, that would be huge.

  17. Match facts and statspublished at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Wales v Finland (19:45 GMT)

    Finland v Wales action from last matchImage source, Getty Images
    • This will be Wales' 16th meeting with Finland in all competitions - excluding the home nations and Republic of Ireland, they've only ever faced the Czech Republic (18), Belgium (17) and Germany (17) more often.
    • Wales are unbeaten in their past four meetings with Finland in all competitions, most recently a 0-0 draw in a friendly in September 2021.
    • Finland lost their last away game against Wales 3-1 in November 2020. Prior to this, they had been unbeaten each of their last five such visits (two wins, three draws).
    • Wales have won their past two competitive meetings with Finland, both in the Nations League in 2020. They've never won three in a row against them before.
    • Wales have never won a European Championship play-off match, drawing and losing against Hungary in 1962-1963, Yugoslavia in 1976 and Russia in 2003. However, they did qualify for the 2022 World Cup via the play-offs.
    • This is Finland's first appearance in the play-off rounds for either the World Cup or European Championship. They won six games in the group stages, their joint-most in a single Euro or World Cup qualifying campaign.
    • Daniel James has been involved in five goals in his past five home appearances for Wales (one goal, four assists), scoring or assisting every 55 minutes across those appearances.
    • Teemu Pukki - who is Finland's all-time leading scorer (39) and has won the second-most caps (118) behind Jari Litmanen (137) - has been involved in 17 goals in his last 18 European Championship qualifying appearances (12 goals, five assists).
  18. Zombie light showpublished at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Wales v Finland (19:45 GMT)

    Wales as you know, is a Zombie Nation.

    Now time for the obligatory light show.

  19. Postpublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Wales v Finland (19:45 GMT)

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    As a former player you're never going to be thinking about Tuesday, because there is still a job to do tonight.

    It's easier said than done, but we've got to be hopeful about qualification.

  20. Wales boss Page 'understands' Ward staying at Leicesterpublished at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Wales v Finland (19:45 GMT)

    A lot of focus tonight is likely to be on Wales' goalkeeper.

    Wales manager Rob Page says he has "sympathy" for Danny Ward and says he "understands" why he opted not to leave the Foxes despite a lack of game time this season.

    Wales' first choice goalkeeper has not played a single minute of football for Leicester all season.

    All four of Wales' goalkeepers picked for their Euro 2024 play-off games are out of favour with their clubs.

    "It's hard sometimes to just get out of a club, I understand that," Page said.

    Read more: Wales boss Rob Page 'understands' Danny Ward staying at Leicester

    Danny WardImage source, Getty Images