Euro 2024 qualifying: Wales suffer shock home loss to Armenia, Northern Ireland and Ireland also defeated
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Updated 16/06/2023 at 22:11 GMT
Armenia dealt a blow to Wales' hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 as they emerged shock victors in Cardiff. There were also defeats for Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, while Ukraine came from behind to beat North Macedonia 3-2. Turkey grabbed a late winner in Latvia, and both France and England were able to maintain their respective 100% records against less opponents.
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Wales suffered a shock 4-2 home loss to Armenia, while Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland were also defeated in qualifying for Euro 2024.
Daniel James fired Wales in front in the 10th-minute but an impressive volley by Lucas Zelaryan levelled matters before Grant-Leon Ranos gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at half-time.
A wasteful Wales adjusting to life after Gareth Bale were punished when Ranos gave Armenia a two-goal cushion with a fine effort from the edge of the area.
A goal by Harry Wilson gave Wales a chance with less than 20 minutes remaining but any hope of a comeback were extinguished when Zelarayan curled in a superb second. Wales also had Kieffer Moore sent off on 78 minutes.
Wales are in second spot with four points from three matches, Turkey top the group with six from three, while Armenia have three points from two and Latvia have no points from the first two games.
There was also drama in Group C as Ukraine found themselves 2-0 down at North Macedona after first half goals from Enis Bardhi and Elif Elmas. But two goals in five minutes in the second period, first from Illya Zabarnyi and then Yukhym Konoplya levelled things.
A red card for Visar Musliu reduced North Macedonia to 10 men, before Viktor Tsyhankov scored on 83 minutes for three points. Ukraine are second with three points, while North Macedonia are fourth, also with three points.
In Group C’s other match, England beat Malta 4-0 away. England top the group with three wins from three, and Malta are bottom without a point.
In Group B, Gibraltar saw PSG captain Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud score in the first half on the way to a 3-0 win as they travelled to the peninsula, while the group’s other match saw Greece beat Republic of Ireland 2-1 at home.
A penalty from Anastasios Bakasetas' penalty gave Greece the lead before Nathan Collins levelled midway through the first-half. Giorgos Masouras netted the decisive goal four minutes after the restart.
France are top with nine points from three matches, with Gibraltar pointless. Ireland also have no points, after two games, and Greece have six from two, and sit second.
Group D also saw a dramatic late 3-2 victory for Turkey in Latvia. Abdulkerim Bardakci and Cengiz Under scored to put the away side 2-1 up, but Eduards Emsis’ strike was followed by what looked to be a vital 94th minute strike from Kristers Tobers. However Irfan Kahveci scored a minute later to secure three points.
Group H minnows San Marino lost 3-0 at home to Kazakhstan, who scored through Yan Vorogovskiy, Askhat Tagybergen and Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov.
Jonas Wind’s strike early in the second half gave Denmark a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in the group’s other game. West Ham teenage debutant Callum Marshall thought he had levelled in stoppage-time but after a lengthy delay the goal was ruled out by VAR, with Jonny Evans adjudged to be offside.
San Marino are bottom with zero points, with Denmark above them in fifth with four points from three matches. Kazakhstan are third with six points, and Northern Ireland have four.
Group I saw Andorra lose 2-1 at home to Switzerland. The away side scored first through Remo Freuler and Zeki Amdouni, while Marcio Vieira pulled one back midway through the second half.
Kosovo drew 0-0 at home with Romania, and Israel defeated Belarus 2-1.
Andorra sit fifth with a sole point, with Switzerland top with nine from three games, Romania on seven points in second, and Israel third on four points. Belarus are bottom without a point.
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