KIEFFER MOORE has earned Wales a crucial point in their Euro 2020 opener against Switzerland.
The Welsh looked up against it when Breel Embolo netted with a free header from a corner.
But Cardiff striker Moore stepped up with a brilliant header to score a Welsh equaliser.
Switzerland’s Mario Gavranovic then thought he’d turned super sub by netting a minute after he came on but VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
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GOODBYE FROM BAKU
That’s all from our afternoon in Azerbaijan, where Wales are off and running with a point as they aim to replicate their Euro 2016 success.
The draw with Switzerland is being taken as a positive given the domination of Vladimir Petkovic’s team throughout at the Olympic Stadium, and one that leaves Group A wide open for the three sides chasing Italy’s tails.
There’s two more games to come on this Saturday. The number one ranked side in the world, Belgium, are in action this evening against Russia in St Petersburg, but first Denmark take on Finland in Copenhagen. Follow them both live with us here at SunSport.
GROUP A
Here’s how they stand in Group A after one game each.
Turkey face Wales in Baku on Wednesday evening before Italy take on Switzerland in Rome later that night.
Courtesy of UEFA.Com BALE PROUD OF PERFORMANCE
Gareth Bale also paid tribute to his side’s battling display in Baku. The Wales captain felt his side reacted well in difficult conditions, and that their eventual point is a good base from which to kick on in the competition.
We worked hard. It was difficult in this heat as well. We showed a lot of fight, determination and character to come back from 1-0 down, and I’m proud of the boys.
Gareth Bale
FULL TIME STATS
Switzerland registered twice as many attempts on goal, and trebled Wales’ corner count, but couldn’t find another way past Danny Ward once Kieffer Moore equalised.
Courtesy of UEFA.Com PAGE PLEASED WITH POINT
Wales coach Rob Page insisted he was delighted with the performance of his players despite having to defend against Switzerland for long periods of today’s game.
We wanted a positive start, and it feels like a win in the dressing room. I’m so proud of the players. They had to dig deep towards the end and had a little bit of lady luck with the offside decision, but that was the start we were after. We wanted a positive performance and I certainly got that.
Rob Page
WONDERFUL WARD
The first-choice goalkeeper was one of the positions in the Wales side up for debate ahead of this tournament, but Danny Ward has proved his backers (*waves*) right with another fine showing this afternoon.
FT: WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
It ends all-square in Baku, and Wales will take that. Switzerland dominated for almost the entire game but failed to build on Breel Embolo’s header early in the second half. Kieffer Moore’s superbly-worked goal levelled matters, and the Dragons then survived a late defeat thanks to VAR overturning an offside goal. Improvements are needed for the Turkey match, but it can be considered a decent stepping stone for Rob Page’s men.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE IS BLOWN!WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
90+4. It’s ANOTHER Switzerland corner.
Rodriguez tries the outswinger that evades everyone, but the danger isn’t over.
From the right, it’s whipped back into the box, only to be claimed confidently by Ward. Safe hands from the new Wales number one.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
90+2. More pressure. More corners. More nerves. Wales are clinging on, and there’s another three minutes of additional time still to be played.
Ward makes another stunning stop to tip Gavranovic’s deflected effort around the post, but this time the offside flag is up in advance.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
90. From a Switzerland corner, Embolo gets above Allen – almost in the exact position from which he scored – to head goalwards.
It looks destined for the roof of the net until Ward gets across to push over.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
89. It’s a Swiss barrage now. This is tense.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
88. A half-sight of goal for Bale, but his shot is blocked and rolls through to Sommer.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
85. It’s a huge let off for Wales!
It was an excellent strike from Gavranovic, volleying in Embolo’s header on with one of his first touches after his introduction, but the striker was adjudged to have gone early.
The finish prompted wild celebrations in the Switzerland ranks, but there were immediate appeals from the Welsh defenders. Replays showed the decision was much tighter than initially considered, but after a minute or two of VAR suspense, the goal was ruled out.
IT’S OFFSIDE!!
VAR OVERTURNS THE DECISION!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL!!
MARIO GAVRANOVIC SCORES IMMEDIATELY!!WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
84. A Swiss substitution.
Seferovic has led the line well despite his profligacy in front of goal, and his time is up. On in his place is Mario Gavranovic, who scored a hat-trick in his last international appearance.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
82. Close! Bale backheels Brooks in on the left, and the substitute’s low centre is a yard ahead of the lunging Ramsey at the far post.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
80. Ten minutes plus additional time are left on the clock.
Can Switzerland regain a foothold? Or is momentum now with Wales?
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
77. Keep your head, Wales.
Rob Page’s men are nearly caught out on the counter with Embolo again causing havoc.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
75. Wales make an immediate change, but it’s not a popular one – especially with Dan James, who is the player removed.
The Manchester United man looks shocked and angry by his departure, and makes his point to coaching staff as David Brooks comes on in his place.
WALES 1-1 SWITZERLAND
74. That’s why he’s in the team!
Kieffer Moore equalises with a thumping header from a brilliantly-worked corner.
Dan James takes it short on the right, where it is worked back to Joe Morrell. The Luton midfielder then picks out Moore with a glorious inswinger than finds the striker on the run and leap in front of Fabian Schar.
The glancing header is perfect, and is too good for the despairing dive of Yann Sommer as it finds the bottom corner.
It’s anyone’s game now!
Credit: AP GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!
THEY CAN!!
KIEFFER MOORE EQUALISES!!WALES 0-1 SWITZERLAND
73. Wales win a corner of their own. Can they make this one count?
WALES 0-1 SWITZERLAND
70. The Swiss are culpable of overplaying at the back, and give away a needless throw-in under no pressure.
Vladimir Petkovic’s team need to ensure they’re not responsible for their own downfall, given their domination this afternoon.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
