Wales’s final campaign before the FIFA World Cup ended in a way they didn’t want as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Poland, relegating them from the Nations League’s top tier, with online casino users watching.
Karol Swiderski replicated his performance from the last time he faced the Welsh team in Wroclaw in June, as he bagged a second-half goal that sealed Wales’ demotion fate to League B.
Wales needed a win in Cardiff to secure their spot in the top flight of European football while relegating Poland to the second tier.
However, Poland had other plans as Swiderski’s second-half strike put them in front, and Wales was unable to get past the Polish defence in the game, with Gareth Bale being the closes to goal with a header that hit the crossbar in stoppage time.
This game is Wales’ last game before their first match at a World Cup for 64 years, and they will be facing the United States as their Qatar opener on November 21.
Gareth Bale, Wales’ captain, returned to the starting line-up to claim his 108 appearances for the national team, being just one game short of Chris Gunter’s record. He was a second-half substitute in their 2-1 defeat to Belgium having arrived late on the camp from America due to his commitments with Los Angeles FC and real money online casino.
The former Real Madrid winger had his first 90 minutes ever since the World Cup qualifier game against Estonia last September. However, even his presence couldn’t help his national team secure a win against Poland as they have quite a few players on the sidelines with Chris Mepham and Ethan Ampadu being suspended, while Ben Davies, Aaron Ramsey, Harry Wilson and Joe Allen remained on the sidelines with injury, just like Steve McManaman did when he was at Real Madrid.
Poland, who are ranked t16th on the FIFA rankings and seven places below Wales, were led into the game by new Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. The game started with a fast tempo in the opening exchanges, but most of the first-half minutes saw Poland players spending time on the ground more than usual.
The Polish players’ ability to fall too easily to the ground left the home fans angered, which raised the temperature of the Cardiff City Stadium. While the game started with a fast tempo, the first goal attempt didn’t come till the 25th minute when Lewandowski met a cross with his should, instead of his head, and Wayne Hennessey easily caught the ball.
Wales’ first real chance in the game came when Cabango’s clearance allowed Daniel James to sprint into space, however, this effort was blocked in the end by Wojciech Szczesny, as the Juventus goalkeeper kicked the ball away with an outstretched leg.
Wales once again came close to taking the lead when Brennan Johnson’s effort hit James and fell inches wide of the post, with Szczesny being helpless, as his expensive goalkeeper gloves couldn’t help him.
Swiderski broke the deadlock in the game in the 57th minute following a Lewandowski flick which found him, and he took a shot that went through the legs of Hennessey and into the post.
Wales tried to reply to the goal but was ultimately unable to as Johnson’s shot was unable to get past Szczesny.
