Wales and Poland face off in a crucial encounter this evening which will determine which of the two nations plays a part in Euro 2024 this year.
The teams are one game away from a place at the tournament and meet in a qualifying play-off final at Cardiff City Stadium where Wales should be the favourites to triumph. They have home advantage and although lacking the star power of a Robert Lewandowski, who is sure to line-up for Poland, they should have enough ability to reach a third successive European Championship in front of the Red Wall.
Both sides cruised through their play-off semi-finals with Wales beating Finland 4-1 and Poland demolishing Estonia 5-1. Yet, Poland are no pushovers though they are vulnerable. The visitors tend not to travel well but have good memories of facing Wales with their 1-0 win at this stadium in September 2022 one of only two victories away from home since October 2020.
The winner of the tie in Cardiff will advance to this summer’s tournament and join the Netherlands, Austria and France in Group D.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
Wales vs Poland LIVE
Wales host Poland in a Euro 2024 play-off final with kick off at 7.45pm, live on Viaplay Sports 2
Winner will secure a spot at this summer’s tournament in Germany
Result could have ramifications on Rob Page’s tenure as Wales boss
Wales – Poland
Wales vs Poland talking points
17:22 , Mike Jones
Rewriting history
Wales must rewrite history to reach Euro 2024 because their record against Poland is abysmal. Played 10, lost seven, drawn two and only one win.
That 2-0 victory came in their maiden clash in March 1973 when Leighton James and Trevor Hockey scored in a World Cup qualifier.
It has been downhill for Wales ever since with Poland winning the last six, including a Nations League double header in 2022. Poland produced a late sucker punch to win 2-1 in Wroclaw and Karol Swiderski settled a tight Cardiff contest three months later.
Wales vs Poland talking points
17:11 , Mike Jones
Red-hot Robert
With Gareth Bale enjoying retirement on the golf course, Poland can lay claim to having the play-off final’s one superstar – Robert Lewandowski.
The Barcelona striker may be 35 now, but he is still finding the net with incredible regularity. Lewandowski has seven goals in his last nine Barcelona appearances and 23 for club and country this season.
With 82 Poland goals, only Romelu Lukaku (83), Ferenc Puskas (84) and Cristiano Ronaldo (128) have scored more in men’s international football in Europe.
Stopping Lewandowski will be vital for Wales.
Wales vs Poland talking points
17:00 , Mike Jones
Ramsey role reduced
Skipper Aaron Ramsey dominated much of the pre-Finland talk as the Cardiff midfielder was the subject of a club versus country row.
The truth, however, was that the 33-year-old was never going to start after an injury-hit season and, in the event, Ramsey did not get on the pitch at all.
He will be on the bench against Poland again and, although he remains a considerable influence in the dressing room, Page is only likely to use him in case of an emergency.
Wales vs Poland talking points
16:50 , Mike Jones
On the same Page
Wales boss Rob Page sprang a surprise in his semi-final line-up against Finland, opting to keep Kieffer Moore on the bench and choosing a three-man strikeforce of Brennan Johnson, David Brooks and Harry Wilson.
It was a bold call with targetman Moore in such good form at Ipswich. But Brooks and Johnson scored in an emphatic 4-1 win and Wilson was a constant threat with the Wales attack all on the same page.
Daniel James also scored and impressed coming off the bench, and Page now has another tough selection call to make.
Wales vs Poland talking points
16:39 , Mike Jones
Golden era
Qualifying for a third successive European Championship, and a fourth major tournament out of five, would extend Wales’ golden era.
While that record would be expected by many countries, it would represent a huge achievement for a nation with a population of just over three million and one that did not reach a major tournament between 1958 and 2016.
It would also be achieved without their retired former captain Gareth Bale, who did so much in previous qualifying campaigns to get them over the line.
Wales ‘prepared for tough challenge’ of Euro 2024 play-off final against Poland
16:28 , Mike Jones
Rob Page insists Wales are “prepared for a tough challenge” as they look to book their place at Euro 2024.
The Dragons host Poland in a play-off final at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 26 March, with a spot in Germany this summer at stake.
Victory would see the nation play at a third successive European Championship and a fourth major tournament out of five after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Wales to get the job done?
16:15 , Mike Jones
This summer’s European Championship features an expanded 24-team format with Nations League-assisted play-offs allowing more teams to qualify for the tournament proper.
Should Wales win this evening, it would mean that more teams will have qualified for the competition from their original five-team qualifying group than have failed to.
Getting the job done against Poland and reaching Euro 2024 will complete a remarkable turnaround for Wales who looked to have throw away their chances after consecutive defeats to Armenia and Turkey last summer.
The home loss to Armenia was damaging and raised questions over the effectiveness of manager Rob Page who will not be able to answer them until tonight’s result is known.
Can Wales reach Euro 2024?
16:03 , Mike Jones
Wales are currently in their most successful era and are aiming to reach a third successive European Championship.
“It would be a great achievement for us to qualify,” said manager Rob Page, “Whenever you go through a campaign, you’re always going to get bumps in the road, especially in transition, and we had one in the summer.
“What pleases me is the reaction we had since then. To go unbeaten in seven and to play in the manner we’ve done. It really, really pleases me.
“I’d be an extremely proud man if we get the job done.”
Wales vs Poland prediction
15:48 , Mike Jones
Wales should edge out Poland in a tense and thrilling encounter to secure their place at Euro 2024, expect goals, tears and drama from Cardiff tonight.
Wales 2-1 Poland.
Wales vs Poland team news and predicted line-ups
15:36 , Mike Jones
Wales are not thought to have any fresh fitness concerns after their convincing win over Finland, and could well stick with a similar side. Aaron Ramsey is unlikely to be promoted to the starting side after a recent return from injury.
Conversely, Poland saw both Przemyslaw Frankowski and Matty Cash go off with injuries during their victory against Estonia. Cash has been ruled out of the play-off final and Bartosz Bereszynski may be forced to deputise on the right flank.
Predicted line-ups
Wales XI: Ward; Davies, Mepham, Rodon; Roberts, Ampadu, J. James, Williams; Brooks, Wilson; Johnson.
Poland XI: Szczesny; Kiwior, Bednarek, Dawidowicz; Bereszynski, Zielinski, Slisz, Piotrowski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Lewandowski.
How to watch Wales vs Poland
15:24 , Mike Jones
Wales vs Poland is due to kick off at 7.45pm GMT on Tuesday 26 March at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Viaplay Sports 2, with coverage from 7.35pm GMT, or via Welsh-language channel S4C from 7.20pm. A livestream will be available on the Viaplay Sports website and on the BBC iPlayer.
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Good evening!
14:48 , Mike Jones
Welcome one and all to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier final as Wales look to take the last step on thei journey to this summer’s European Championship tournament.
Having come through the semi-finals with a convincing 4-1 victory over Finland, Rob Page’s men now face the difficult task of defeating Poland in this play-off final.
They are boosted by having home advantage and the Red Wall of Welsh fans will bring an electric atmosphere to the Cardiff City Stadium which should spur on the home side.
This is an all or nothing encounter. Win and there is a place at the Euros waiting, lose and Wales will be out of the tournament before it even begins.
There’s pressure on manager Rob Page who’s team are expected to triumph this evening. Anything less and the boss will potentially lose his job. Can Wales perform in this crucial match with the spotlight on them and reach Euro 2024?
We’ll have all the updates, team news and line-ups throughout the evening so stick around as we build up to kick off at 7.45pm.
