‘Bring it on’ – Wales boss Robert Page fires warning to Poland ahead of winner-takes-all Euro 2024 play-off clash
ROBERT PAGE urged Wales to finish off the job by beating Poland and clinch a Euro 2024 spot.
David Brooks, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson and Dan James all scored to down Finland and leave the Dragons one win away from the finals in Germany this summer.
The stunning home victory set up a winner-takes-all play-off final shootout against the Poles and Barcelona‘s Robert Lewandowski in Cardiff on Tuesday.
Wales boss Page said: “Bring on Tuesday!
“It will be a tough test but what more motivation do you need? The boys will be ready.
“Poland pose a different threat. We have already looked at them.
“I said to the players, we don’t care who comes to play us. We will go toe-to-toe and have a go.
“The message is it’s half-time. We have given ourselves one hell of a chance to qualify. We can’t wait and we need to build on this.”
Brooks opened the scoring with a third-minute volley before Williams netted a superb free-kick.
Teemu Pukki replied for the Finns before Johnson’s first goal for Wales since June 2022 gave Page’s men breathing space.
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Sub James, who won his 50th cap as well as Ethan Ampadu, added a fourth as Wales cruised into the final.
The Dragons, who recorded their biggest competitive win since beating Belarus 5-1 in November 2021, now will aim to book a third successive Euros final place – and seal a fourth major tournament appearance in five attempts.
Page added: “On another night it could have been five or six. I’m really satisfied.
“We wanted to start fast and we certainly did that by getting off to the best starts in each half and it settled us.
“There were uncomfortable moments with the amount of possession they had and we had to address it. We were also disappointed with the goal we conceded and it made for an uncomfortable few minutes.
“But when you have players playing well they add value. Ethan was immense on his 50th cap, young Jordan James, the same. Harry Wilson, Brennan was a constant threat, Brooksy with his finish.
“And we have players coming off the bench with confidence. And the supporters are immense. They have helped us again tonight.”
Nottingham Forest full-back Williams said: “It was a great performance but we don’t stop now.
“It was an excellent performance all around. My goal wasn’t planned or anything – it was just instinct. It’s a stepping stone for Tuesday.”
Poland thrashed 10-men Estonia 5-1 to book their play-off final spot in the Welsh capital.
Lens winger Przemyslaw Frankowski gave Poland the lead in Warsaw after 22 minutes, before Estonia midfielder Maksim Paskotsi was sent off for a second caution.
Piotr Zielinski headed in another soon after the restart, with Jakub Piotrowski drilling home a third after 70 minutes.
An own goal from Karol Mets made it 4-0, with a miserable evening for Estonia completed when Sebastian Szymanski knocked in Poland’s fifth before Martin Vetkal hit a late consolation.
Aston Villa’s Matty Cash limped off with a suspected hamstring injury.