Biggest test for post-Bale Wales as they eye final

EVER since Gareth Bale retired last year, the question for Wales has been how they would cope without their talisman when it matters most.

- Simon Collings

Tonight, a young Wales side, led by fresh talent like Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson, can write their own history when they play Poland in Cardiff for a place at Euro 2024.

Filling the void left by Bale, who led Wales to three major tournaments and is their greatest-ever player, was never going to be easy.

In their first qualifying campaign since Bale hung up his boots, Wales struggled, and back-to-back defeats by Armenia and Turkey last year looked to have ended their hopes of a third successive Euros. But they recovered to reach the play-offs and thumped Finland 4-1 in last week’s semi-final.