The Cardiff City Stadium will be the venue on Thursday when Wales welcomes visitors Finland for a UEFA EURO qualifying Path A semi-final clash, with kickoff slated for 19:45 GMT.
Key Highlights
Wales Chance to Make Back-to-Back Appearances at the Euros
The winner emerging from Path A qualifying will join France, Netherlands, and Austria in Group D at the Euro 2024 tournament. The winner of this semi-final will clash against Poland or Estonia in the final for a chance to make it into the Germany-hosted tournament.
Wales will look to repeat history when they host Finland on Thursday. They famously used this path to make their first appetence at the Euros in 64 years in 2020, when they upset the likes of Ukraine and Austria enroute to the tournament.Â
Wales collected just four points in their opening four matches in Group D, which hampered their chance of competing against Croatia and Turkey at the top of the group. However, their final spot in third handed them another chance of progressing to the Euro 2024 through the qualifiers route.
Finland Looking to Make Amends by Booking their Berth in Germany through Path A Qualifiers
Finland, in Group H, was involved in a four-way fight for the qualifying spots with Denmark, Slovenia, and Kazakhstan. Amassing 18 points from the available 30, Finland were forced to settle for third in Group H and a qualifying path to make it into the Euro 2024 tournament.
The trip to Wales on Thursday will be crucial for Finland’s hopes. They will look to be pragmatic and robust in their approach against the home side. This will allow them to contain the Welsh attacking threat while posing their own attacking threat.
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Head-to-Head Statistics
Finland and Wales have met each other 11 times since 1971. Wales have the edge, winning six times to Finland’s two wins, with three matches finishing in draws.
In their last five meetings, Wales and Finland have had two wins apiece, with the other one finishing in a 0-0 draw last time they met.
Injury Report
The two sides have not reported fresh injury issues ahead of their clash on Thursday.
Prediction
Wales have the edge given their home advantage. Finland will look to be tactically disciplined and leverage their experience in the away tie.
The two sides will fight to a draw, with extra time or a penalty shootout required to separate them.
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