Ryan Giggs saluted “fantastic” Neco Williams after the Liverpool defender snatched a last-gasp winner in yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Bulgaria.
Giggs’ side were well below their best for most of the League B, Group 4 tie, but 19-year-old Williams came off the bench to break the deadlock with a header deep into stoppage-time at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Williams’ first goal in professional football made it four successive wins in all competitions for Wales. Following their 1-0 success in Finland on Thursday, Giggs’ men stay top of the group and are now unbeaten in eight matches dating back to June 2019.
Of the teams who qualified for Euro 2020, none scored fewer than Wales, who struck just 10 times in their qualifying campaign. That lack of firepower was a problem for long periods against stubborn Bulgaria, but right-back Williams finally opened up their massed defence on his home debut.
After a promising season with Premier League champions Liverpool, Williams’ match-winning cameo rewarded Giggs’ faith in a youngster who has a bright future, even if he has to serve as back-up to Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield.
“Neco came on the other night and he was fantastic, and he was the same today,” Giggs said. “He’s got loads of quality, he’s got confidence in his ability, and he’s brought new energy to the group, and he showed that in focused little cameos in both games.
“I was umming and ahing whether to start him today because of the performance he put on the other night, but he came on and not only his goal but his overall performance was fantastic.”
Clearly determined to frustrate the hosts with their cautious approach, Bulgaria had a rare chance when Galin Ivanov’s curling shot deflected narrowly wide off Connor Roberts.
It didn’t help the home side’s cause that Gareth Bale was well short of the drive and sharpness that can only be gained from regular playing time.
Captain Bale barely featured for Real Madrid last season after the coronavirus hiatus as his strained relationship with their boss Zinedine Zidane left him frozen out.
Bale played just 45 minutes in Helsinki and two games in less than 72 hours was a big ask for the 31-year-old given his match fitness.
His struggles were summed up by a tame free-kick that never threatened to test Georgi Georgiev.
Looking to spark his side into life, Giggs sent on Hal Robson-Kanu as the West Bromwich Albion forward made his first appearance for three years after reversing his international retirement.
Manchester United winger Daniel James linked well with Brooks to create a sight of goal, but his powerful long-range strike was too close to Georgiev.
James returned the favour moments later, feeding Bale’s pass to Brooks, who hit the top of the crossbar with his left-foot shot. Wales’ late pressure was rewarded in the fourth minute of stoppage-time when Jonny Williams swung a cross to the far post and Williams powered his header past Georgiev.
Jensen makes instant impact as Finland stun Ireland
Finland claimed a shock 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland as Fredrik Jensen grabbed the winner just 19 seconds after coming off the bench in yesterday’s Nations League tie.
Republic boss Stephen Kenny is still waiting for his first win since taking charge after a disappointing display in Dublin.
Ireland had rescued a late 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in Kenny’s first game in charge on Thursday.
But Jensen’s instant impact left Ireland without a victory in League B Group 4 and condemned them to a first ever defeat against Finland, who had been beaten by Wales in their first match in the tournament.
Since replacing Mick McCarthy, Kenny has outlined his plans to turn the Republic into a more possession-based and attack-minded side.
Kenny’s decision to use several of the players he worked with as Ireland’s Under-21 coach may prove wise in the long run, but it has been a frustrating start to his reign.
He will need a big improvement if Ireland are to qualify for Euro 2020.
A win in the play-offs against Slovakia in October is required to set up a decisive showdown with Northern Ireland or Bosnia in November.
Norwich striker Teemu Pukki scored 10 times as Finland qualified for Euro 2020 – their first ever major tournament appearance.
Pukki should have given Finland an early lead when Robert Taylor’s pass sent him clean through on goal, but his tame shot was straight at Ireland keeper Darren Randolph.
Shane Duffy appealed in vain for a penalty after tumbling under Juhani Ojala’s challenge following an Ireland corner.
Duffy and John Egan both headed over from Robbie Brady free-kicks early in the second half.
Ireland were beginning to get on top and Aaron Connolly drilled into the side-netting before Callum O’Dowda curled just wide. But it was Finland who snatched the lead with an incisive raid in the 64th minute.
Pukki found down Taylor down the left flank and his low cross reached Augsburg winger Jensen, who slid the ball into the net from close-range.
Callum Robinson had a good chance to equalise when his stinging strike was saved by Lukas Hradecky at the near post.
As Ireland pushed forward for an equaliser, Pukki exploited the gaps at the back and he was denied by Randolph before firing just wide moments later.
Duffy had bagged a late equaliser against Bulgaria, but he couldn’t come to the rescue again as the defender nodded over in the closing minutes.
Wales’ Neco Williams celebrates scoring their first goal against Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff yesterday. (Reuters)
