WALES OPENED THEIR Nations League campaign with a 1-0 win against fellow Euro 2020 qualifiers Finland in Helsinki.
Kieffer Moore struck 10 minutes from time – his third international goal in six games – as he latched on to Daniel James’ inviting cross and rewarded Wales’ superiority at the Olympic Stadium.
The lack of pre-season training for both sets of players was evident and Wales captain Gareth Bale, making his first start since February, lasted only 45 minutes before being withdrawn at half-time.
But Wales called the tune for most of the night and deserved a third successive away win.
They top League B Group 4 ahead of Sunday’s second round of fixtures in which they host Bulgaria and Ireland host Finland.
Elsewhere in the group, our old friends from Wales have won in Finland.
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 3, 2020
Kieffer Moore with the goal here.#NationsLeague | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/gsZq7Azhtg
Both teams took the knee before kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and Wales started in positive fashion and had the ball in the net inside four minutes.
James sped down the left and cut back onto his right foot to deliver a cross which Moore headed in, although the celebrations were immediately cut short as German referee Daniel Siebert had spotted a tug on Leo Vaisanen.
James found space again to set up a Bale chance which Finland goalkeeper Jesse Joronen just about shovelled to safety.
Finland were disjointed and an unforced error from Joni Kauko allowed James to burst through the middle and set up Bale for another shooting opportunity which drifted wide.
Kauko was soon involved at the other end to rifle home a low shot but the offside flag had long been raised as Joel Pohjanpalo had strayed too far forward.
The second half started without Bale, who had shown signs of rust with so little game-time over the previous seven months.
But Bale had been rubbing his thigh moments before the break and manager Ryan Giggs may have replaced his skipper as a precaution.
Finland should have taken the lead four minutes after the restart when Vaisanen, unmarked from two yards out, somehow managed to cannon his shot off a post when it was easier to score.
Neco Williams became Wales’ second debutant on the hour mark, the Liverpool full-back taking up an unfamiliar advanced position as the England-qualified teenager put to bed any issues over his international allegiance.
Williams was the 17th player to make his Wales debut under Giggs and he made a positive impression as the Dragons finished strongly.
Their good work was rewarded when the impressive James, shrugging off his Manchester United struggles, broke free and crossed for Moore to send Wales top of the group.
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