Wales vs Albania LIVE: Stream FREE, score, TV channel as match UNDERWAY – Euro 2020 warm-up latest updates

WALES 0-0 ALBANIA

3. Early chance for David Brooks but his touch lets him down as he looks to collect Aaron Ramsey’s pass.

WALES 0-0 ALBANIA

1. We’re off and under way in a sunny South Wales.

PEEEEEEEEEREEEEEEEEP!
HERE WE GO!

HERE COME THE TEAMS!

JOSE’S BALE SWIPE

Axed Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at Gareth Bale ahead of Euro 2020.

Writing for The Sun, Mourinho claimed Bale had struggled against the top teams during his season-long loan with Spurs. 

Giving his verdict on Wales’ European Championship hopes, Mourinho said: “Over the years Wales have relied a lot on Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, the two most talented players in the country.

“But when I look to the club season and how many matches Ramsey played at Juventus… there were lots of injuries.

“When we look to Gareth and how many great performances he had, how many goals he scored against the best teams, there were not many or none.

“It’s not an easy situation for a country without many options.

“But they are always well organised and know how to create a situation to try to get the best out of the more talented players.

“Dan James is fast and is the one that can break defenders.

“With the small group of players they are doing amazingly well, so lots of respect.

“But it will be hard for them even to qualify for the next phase.”

PAST MEETINGS & STATS

Wales and Albania last met in November 2018 in a friendly. Back then, Albania won 1-0 in Elbasan with a Bekim Balaj penalty.

Wales have only won one of their three matches against Albania (D1 L1), beating them 2-0 at Cardiff Arms Park in a Euro 1996 qualifier.

Wales are unbeaten in their last 12 home matches in all competitions (W10 D2), their longest ever unbeaten run on home soil.

At the Cardiff City Stadium, Wales are on a six-match winning run. Their last defeat in Cardiff was in November 2018 in a 2-1 defeat to Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.

Albania have won five of their last six matches in all competitions (L1), with their only defeat in this run coming at home to England in a World Cup qualifier.

RINGING THE CHANGES

As expected, Wales boss Rob Page has rung the changes for tonight’s clash.

Only three of the players – Chris Mepham, Neco Williams and Joe Allen – who started the midweek defence to France retain their places this evening.

Ben Davies takes the captain’s armband on what will be his 60th international appearance.

Albania failed to qualify for next week’s European Championships after finishing fourth in their qualifying group.

SUBSTITUTES:

WALES: Ward, A Davies, Gunter, Rodon, Wilson, Bale, Moore, Roberts, Williams, Cabango, Colwill, Smith

ALBANIA: Sherri, Harizaj, Hozhallari, Veseli, Kallaku, Trashi, Seferi, Ajeti, Laci, Cikalleshi, Ramadani

WALES & ALBANIA LINE-UPS:

WALES XI: 1 Hennessey; 15 Ampadu, 22 Mepham, 4 B Davies, 3 Williams; 23 Levitt, 7 Allen, 10 Ramsey, 17 Norrington-Davies; 9 Roberts, 19 Brooks

ALBANIA XI: 1 Selmani; Ismajli, Kumbulla, Djimsiti; 17 Doka, 4 Cekici, 7 Bare, 22 Abrashi, 3 Lenjani; 10 Manaj, 19 Balaj 

THE TEAMSHEETS ARE IN!

TEAM NEWS

Robert Page plans to rotate his squad tonight to ensure players are fit for their Euro 2020 opener with the likes of Kieffer Moore, Ben Cabango and Wayne Hennessey set to get some minutes under their belts. 

After appearing as second-half substitutes against France, Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Tottenham defender Ben Davies could feature from the off.

Joe Allen will feature at some stage, while Ethan Ampadu, who missed the France clash, will also get a run-out.

“It’s all about the first game [against Switzerland] so we have one eye on that,” said Wales interim boss Robert Page.

“There was a plan put in place when we first met up on camp with regards to what we want, who we want may be for the first game and work backwards from that, what minutes we need to play them in the two friendlies to give us the best chance of getting them involved in that first game. 

“Of course, we have an idea of how we want to go about it [team selection for Switzerland] and get our best players on the pitch.”

FINAL FRIENDLY

This is Wales’ second friendly in preparation for the Euros, following Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat against world champions France in Nice.

Neco Williams’ early red card for handball in the area meant Wales had to toil for more than an hour with 10 men.

Karim Benzema had his penalty saved by Danny Ward, but Kylian Mbappe scored in the 34th minute to put the hosts in front.

Antoine Griezmann curled in a second just after the restart and substitute Ousmane Dembele struck France’s third.

IN FULL VOICE

There are few things more inspiring than hearing Wales fans singing ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’.

And tonight, Wales will play in front of their home supporters for the first time since November 2019.

There will be up to 6,500 supporters at the Cardiff City Stadium for one of the Welsh Government’s pilot events for the safe return of spectators.

“It’s a shame we can’t get more in,” said interim Wales manager Robert Page.

“It would have been lovely to get a full house there or more than what we’ve been allowed. It is what it is, we can’t control that.”

Captain Gareth Bale said: “It will be amazing before we go off to the Euros to have that send-off.

“There’s only 6,500 but I’m sure they’ll make it seem like a full stadium.”

On Monday Wales fly to Baku, where they face Switzerland in their opening Euro 2020 match on 12th June.

Wales fans have been advised not to travel to Baku and Rome for their Euro group matches. 

GOOD AFTERNOON FROM CARDIFF

Wales host Albania in their final friendly before the Euros.

Breaking news is that Neco Williams is available to play for Wales tonight.

The Liverpool full-back was shown a red card in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to France after referee Luis Godinho had consulted with VAR, deciding his handball had illegally impeded a goal-bound effort from Karim Benzema.

He was expected to sit out this evening’s clash as a result.

However, just a few hours before kick-off against Albania, a Welsh FA statement read: “The Football Association of Wales (FAW) have been in direct contact with FIFA and UEFA regarding what (if any) suspension Neco Williams may have to serve as a result of his red card v France on 2nd June.

“FIFA have confirmed that as per article 27.2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code the match falls under the jurisdiction of UEFA. UEFA Disciplinary Regulations do not legislate for sanctions related to friendly matches.

“The FAW have therefore sanctioned Neco Williams directly for the red card but can confirm he will be available to participate in tonight’s fixture.”

VAR will not be in use this evening.

We’ll have confirmation of tonight’s teams shortly plus lots more build-up ahead of the 5pm kick-off.