Latvia 0-2 Wales: Captain Aaron Ramsey scores as Welsh keep slim Euro 2024 hopes alive
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Updated 11/09/2023 at 22:30 GMT+1
Wales secured a 2-0 win in Latvia to keep their slim hopes of qualifying for next summer's European Championships alive. Aaron Ramsey continued his promising run of form with a goal from the penalty spot – his first in the national armband – before being withdrawn amid an injury concern in the second half. The win eases the pressure on Wales boss Robert Page.
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Aaron Ramsey's first-half penalty helped earn Wales a 2-0 away victory against Latvia and boost their hopes of reaching Euro 2024.
Wales dominated the first half and were well worth the lead which came after Kaspars Dubra clumsily bumped into Harry Wilson in the box.
The Cardiff midfielder sent Roberts Ozols the wrong way for his 21st goal in a Welsh shirt.
Wales created a number of other chances with Brennan Johnson guilty of spurning a number of chances, though Ozols did make a good stops from the new Tottenham forward and substitute David Brooks.
Latvia themselves had opportunities to get on the scoresheet with Janis Ikaunieks going close on a few occasions before Brooks made sure of the points deep into injury time.
Wilson shrugged off a challenge on the halfway line then dribbled to the edge of the penalty area before slipping a ball through to Brooks who produced a delightful dink over Ozols to give deserved gloss to the scoreline.
The win eases the pressure on Robert Page, moving Wales level with third-place Armenia and three behind the top two in the group.
TALKING POINT
Can Ange Postecoglou raise Johnson's ceiling? - This match seemed to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of new Spurs signing Brennan Johnson.
His blistering pace and nous around the box makes him a nightmare for defenders to keep contained, but the limit on his potential does seem to be his lack of confidence in front of goal. He had five shots in this match with only one of these testing the goalkeeper, forcing a good save, albeit a shot at the front post any stopper would expect to make. The others flew high, wide (or both) of the goal.
The type of finish Brooks produced for his goal, you do not see Johnson making very often.
Being the notional replacement for Harry Kane at Tottenham is unfair on any player, but could be a particular millstone for Johnson if he is not presented with easy chances early. If he continues to develop his game he could develop into a forward well worth his place in a top side like countryman Craig Bellamy was.
It is unlikely he can replicate the aggression and tenacity of the former Norwich and Newcastle striker, but, though scoring at worse than a goal every three games, he was a fine player for club and country who would always be one of the first names on his manager's team sheets. Johnson can perhaps be that too. Any expectations higher than that would seem ill-founded.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Harry Wilson (Wales) - The Fulham forward looks well capable of being his country's talisman going forward. Gareth Bale is irreplaceable but with Aaron Ramsey's body unlikely to allow himself to lead as he would like, Wilson could be the man his country looks to in the immediate future. He seemed to be part of every strong period of possession in attacking areas Wales enjoyed. The way he set up the second goal was a deserved cap to a fine display.
PLAYER RATINGS
Latvia: Ozols 7; Savaļnieks 5, Cernomordijs 6, Dubra 5, Cigaņiks 6; Tobers 5, Emsis 6, Jaunzems 6, Krollis 5, Ikaunieks 6; Uldriķis 6
Subs: Rehza 5, Daskevics 5
Wales: Ward 6; Mepham 6, Rodon 7, Davies 7, Williams 7; Roberts 6, Ampadu 6, James 7, Ramsey 7, Wilson 9*, Johnson 6
Subs: Brooks 7, Bradshaw 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
27' PENALTY! Wilson is felled in the box and the referee points to the spot. He made a lot of it but there was a clumsy push from Dubra.
29' GOAL FOR WALES! Ramsey calmly sends the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
34' GREAT CHANCE FOR WILLIAMS! Johnson got to the by-line and found him at the back post - partly due to a disastrous missed attempt to stoop and head away from Savalnieks - but, turning in on his right foot, he shot wide.
82' BROOKS WITH A GREAT CHANCE! Roberts tries to turn in the box, unwittingly setting up Brooks who tries to slide the ball home but finds Ozols' outstretched leg in the way.
86' ALL WALES HELD THEIR BREATH A fantastic curling shot from Ikaunieks had Ward beaten but it nestled the outside not inside netting.
90+4' GOAL FOR WALES! A lovely run from Harry Wilson who must have been tempted to take the ball into the corner but instead he slides a ball through for Brooks who dinks delightfully over Ozols.
KEY STAT
- 27 - The number of shots Wales had in the match
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