EURO 2024 qualifier: Wales beat Latvia thanks to Moore’s header

Kieffer Moore’s goal was his 10th for Wales

Wales continued their strong start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Kieffer headed Moore in a 1-0 win over Latvia to move them to the top of Group D.

Wales took the lead just before half-time when Moore’s powerful header nestled into the bottom corner of the net from a Daniel James cross.

Neco Williams rattled the bar as Wales pushed for a second goal.

Wales presented record goalscorer Gareth Bale a pre-match honor guard as he bid farewell to home fans.

It was a night of celebration for Wales as they moved to the top of their group thanks to an away goal in Croatia, who won 2-0 in Turkey and also picked up four points from their first two games.

Considering the injury woes, absence and disappointing World Cup, Wales will be happy with their start as they aim to reach Germany in 2024.

Gareth Bale is the Welsh all-time leading goalscorer and international champion with 41 goals in 111 appearances

Wales impress after leaving Gareth Bale

Before the start of this season, there was so much talk about how Wales can carry on following the resignation of their captain, record-breaking and top-scorer Bale, the giant of Welsh football who has at times led an entire nation on his shoulders.

Wales fans got a chance to say goodbye to their talisman before the game as he was introduced to the crowd and received a standing ovation.

“What an honor it is to represent this country and play in front of the best fans in the world,” he said.

“You have supported me and my family and the entire team through the deepest lows and the highest highs.

“I can’t thank you enough and it has been the greatest pleasure to play in front of you throughout my career.

“I will miss playing in front of you but make sure you keep supporting the lads.

“You, the fans, are Welsh football. You make him so special. Hope to see you soon in the future. Thanks.”

There was a feeling Bale’s performance would add to another special night for the Welsh fans at the Cardiff City Stadium as the atmosphere sizzled and her breakthrough came four minutes before the break when Moore headed in from a precise James cross.

It was no less than Wales deserved for a positive front-foot performance and they were tantalizingly close to a second when Latvia goalkeeper Pavels Steinbors saved a spectacular save to deflect Williams’ shot off the bar.

Having been outplayed many times in Croatia, Wales knew the dangers of only having one goal advantage in a game they dominated, but they showed enough discipline to hold their advantage without much fear.

Chris Gunter was appointed to the Welsh coaching staff after retiring from the national team

Wales surprisingly build on Split Point

After unexpected clinching a Last-minute draw against World Cup finalists Croatia in Split it was a chance for Robert Page’s side to cement a strong start to the European Championship qualifying campaign as they bid to reach the European Championships for a third straight season.

Wales could have gone on within five minutes when the ground was still roaring with noise after Bale’s speech and the always rousing version of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau as James’ direct run and spot-on cross caught Harry Wilson but he fired straight at Steinbor’s im Latvian goal.

Latvia were also to blame for squandering a huge early chance, however, as Danny Ward struggled to save Marcis Oss’ volley from a corner, while Vladislavs Gutkovskis also forced him to save a back heel.

Ward also made a good save in the second half to beat Gutkovskis again as the visitors showed why they were a tougher test on their trips than at home in World Cup qualifiers where only the Netherlands could beat them.

However, it was largely Wales who pressed in Cardiff, with Moore heading wide and Moore, Williams and Ethan Ampadu all seeing shots flicker wide of the post from long range.

Wilson almost increased Wales’ lead just before half-time, but Steinbors deftly denied him an equaliser.

However, Moore gave Wales the start and they kept up the pressure after the break, with Wilson twice close to extending his lead and Steinbors having to make an incredible stop to deny Williams.

Latvia pressed while Wales’ nerves grew, but unlike Split, there were to be no late heroics.

lineups

Wales

formation 3-4-2-1

12station

5Mepham6round3N Williams

14Roberts16Morell15Ampadu20James

8thWilson10Ramsey

13Moore

• 12station
• 5Mepham
• 6round
• 3N Williams
• 14Roberts
• 16Morell
• 15Ampadu
• 20JamesReplaced bybroadheadat 73′protocol
• 8thWilson35 minutes bookedReplaced byThinkat 90+4′protocol
• 10RamseyReplaced bycooperat 90+2′protocol
• 13Moore

Substitute

• 1king
• 2Fox
• 4Think
• 7cooper
• 9Bradshaw
• 11harris
• 17James
• 18Lockyer
• 19burns
• 21davies
• 22Thomas
• 23broadhead

Latvia

formation 4-4-2

1stone bors

11Savalniek3Oss5Chernomordy2Sorokin

10Ikauniek17zyuzin6tobers14gypsy

9Gutkowski20Uldrikis

• 1stone bors
• 11Savalniek
• 3Oss
• 5ChernomordyBooked at 58 minutes
• 2SorokinBooked at 44 minutesReplaced byJurkowskiat 45′protocol
• 10IkauniekReplaced byJaunzemat 58′protocol
• 17zyuzinBooked at 62 minutesReplaced bySavelievat 83′protocol
• 6tobers
• 14gypsyReplaced byVarslavansat 70′protocol
• 9Gutkowski
• 20UldrikisReplaced byAt Krollat 82′protocol

Substitute

• 4Varslavans
• 7Tonisevs
• 8thEmsis
• 12Oak
• 13Jurkowski
• 15Ikauniek
• 16Jaunzem
• 18Stuglis
• 19At Kroll
• 21Dove
• 22Saveliev
• 23mud

Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili

live text

1. Game ends, Wales 1, Latvia 0.

2. End of the second half, Wales 1, Latvia 0.

3. Substitution, Wales. Ben Cabango replaces Harry Wilson.

4. Substitution, Wales. Oliver Cooper replaces Aaron Ramsey.

5. Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Wales).

6. Raimonds Krollis (Latvia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

7. attempt failed. Raimonds Krollis (Latvia) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Aleksejs Saveljevs who successfully completed a corner with a header.

8. Corner, Latvia. Cashed in by Neco Williams.

9. Foul by Harry Wilson (Wales).

10. Renars Varslavans (Latvia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

11. attempt failed. Renars Varslavans (Latvia) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but the ball misses the top right corner. Assisted by Raimonds Krollis.

12. Substitution, Latvia. Aleksejs Savelyevs replaces Arturs Zyuzins.

13. Substitution, Latvia. Raimonds Krollis replaces Roberts Uldrikis.

14. Corner, Wales. Goal conceded by Kristers Tobers.

15. attempt blocked. Neco Williams (Wales) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nathan Broadhead.

16. Foul by Chris Mepham (Wales).

17. Vladislavs Gutkovskis (Latvia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

18. attempt failed. Neco Williams (Wales) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Aaron Ramsey.

19. Nathan Broadhead (Wales) wins a free kick on the left wing.

20. Foul by Marcis Oss (Latvia).