Wales 4-1 Finland (21 Mar, 2024) Game Analysis

Substitute Dan James put the icing on the cake with a second-half solo goal as Wales beat Finland 4-1 in Cardiff on Thursday to set up a playoff final with Poland for a place at the Euro 2024.

A leaping David Brooks got the hosts off to a dream start in the third minute when Harry Wilson's shot was saved and bounced back to him for the knock-in.

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Neco Williams made it 2-0 in the 38th when he sent the ball into the top corner from a Wilson free-kick on the edge of the box, but Finland pulled one back with the 40th international goal from Teemu Pukki just before half-time.

Brennan Johnson restored the two-goal lead from close range in the 47th, after Ethan Ampadu headed in from a free-kick, and substitute captain Ben Davies saw a fourth ruled out by VAR in the 79th.

James, who had replaced Johnson in the 73rd minute, then made it 4-1 in the 86th when he sprinted clear, dribbled around goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and slotted the ball into an open goal.

Wales will face Poland, who beat 10-man Estonia 5-1, at the same Cardiff stadium on Tuesday for a place in the June and July finals in Germany.

“It could have been five or six,” manager Rob Page told S4C television. “It shows how far we've come, but the message is: it's half-time. We still have a huge effort to make on Tuesday, we can't wait.

“Dan James was fantastic. On his 50th cap he scored the goal he deserved. It shows the confidence he has. We have players coming off the bench full of confidence… you can definitely tell see in performance.”

Wales qualified for the 2022 World Cup finals through the playoffs and are on course to reach their third consecutive Euros and first since the retirement of talismanic winger Gareth Bale.

Finland, who lost their last away match against Wales 3-1 in November 2020, were hoping to qualify for their second major tournament after Euro 2020.