Wales 1-0 Slovakia: Ryan Giggs’ team off to a winning start in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign

Wales 1-0 Slovakia: Ryan Giggs’ team off to a winning start in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
Wales got their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign off to the best possible start with a win against Slovakia at the Cardiff City Stadium.Daniel James scored the only goal of the game when he fired in from the edge of the box after five minutes.The Swansea winger’s only previous international experience was a 56-minute run-out in the November friendly defeat to Albania.Getty3

Daniel James scores for Wales

Manager Ryan Giggs made 11 changes from Wednesday’s 1-0 friendly victory over Trinidad & Tobago for the beginning of Wales’ European Championship campaign, with Anderlecht defender James Lawrence and Swansea winger Daniel James making first competitive starts.Slovakia were unchanged after beating Hungary 2-0 in their opening qualifier on Thursday, with former Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik wearing the captain’s armband and Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka in goal.3

Gareth Bale makes an attempt on goal

Harry Wilson and David Brooks combined impressively down the right, but any danger appeared to have gone for Slovakia when Brooks’ pass went straight to defender Peter Pekarik.But Pekarik was robbed of possession on the edge of the box by James, who rifled a blistering shot past Dubravka to put Wales ahead after just five minutes.Wales continued to press, predictably using Bale’s searing pace, and they went close to a second goal after 21 minutes, but Brooks’ shot smashed into the side netting.Slovakia offered little in comparison, even if they had plenty of possession, and Bale’s header kept Dubravka occupied as the 30-minute mark approached.3

Wayne Hennessey saves from Albert Rusnak

A sublime piece of skill by Brooks saw him beat two defenders before his swerving shot eluded Dubravka but curled just outside the far post, and Gareth Bale had a half-chance that Slovakia comfortably dealt with.Wales exerted sustained pressure but they could not add to their tally as they reached the break with a 1-0 lead.Slovakia created their best chance early in the second period when Albert Rusnak was one-on-one with Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who blocked his shot, with the ball rebounding off the attacking player before it went wide. It was a warning signal for Wales, and Hennessey was quickly forced into another smart save, again denying Rusnak.But Wales responded impressively as James broke clear on the left and his cross found Wilson, who shot inches wide with Dubravka beaten.Goalscorer James was replaced by Williams 18 minutes from time, and Dubravka saved Wilson’s close-range shot following a slick Wales attack.Slovakia, though, could sense there was still something in the contest for them, and Hennessey was forced into a point-blank save from substitute Michal Duris’ header that preserved Wales’ advantage.Slovakia were finishing the game stronger than their opponents, and Wales looked hurried, especially in defence, as they tried to close things out.Five minutes of stoppage time gave Slovakia renewed hope, but Wales sealed the deal as their qualifying campaign began in successful fashion thanks to James’ early strike that secured a 1-0 win.

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