Wales’ World Cup send-off led to a 1-0 defeat to Poland and relegation from the Nations League’s prime tier.
Karol Swiderski, simply as he had carried out when the 2 sides met in Wroclaw in June, got here up with a second-half winner to seal Wales’ demotion to League B. Wales wanted victory in Cardiff to safe their place within the prime flight of European soccer and relegate Poland to the second tier.
However Poland stood agency after Swiderski’s strike and Wales couldn’t discover a method by, with Gareth Bale going the closest when heading in opposition to the crossbar in stoppage time.
This was Wales’ closing sport earlier than their first at a World Cup for 64 years, their Qatar opener in opposition to the US approaching 21 November.
Bale returned to the beginning line-up to win his 108th cap, only one in need of Chris Gunter’s males’s nationwide group report. Bale was a second-half substitute in Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Belgium after arriving late on camp from America because of his enjoying commitments at Los Angeles FC.
The 33-year-old accomplished his first 90 minutes for the reason that World Cup qualifier in opposition to Estonia final September. Wales had been depleted, with suspended pair Chris Mepham and Ethan Ampadu becoming a member of injured quartet Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies, Harry Wilson and Joe Allen on the sidelines.
Poland, 26 on the Fifa rankings and 7 locations under Wales, had been led by Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowksi and in want of a World Cup tonic themselves following some stuttering type.
There was a quick tempo to the opening exchanges however few openings in a vigorous first half notable for the period of time Poland gamers spent on the ground. The guests’ willingness to go to floor, and keep there, angered house followers and raised the temperature contained in the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium.
Swiderski virtually pounced as Joe Rodon let the ball run again in the direction of his personal purpose. However the first purpose try took 25 minutes to reach when Lewandowski met a cross together with his shoulder, moderately than his head, and Wayne Hennessey safely gathered.
Wales’ first probability got here when Ben Cabango’s clearance allowed the speedy Daniel James to dash into house. James’ effort was blocked by Wojciech Szczesny, and the Juventus goalkeeper kicked away the winger’s follow-up cross with an outstretched leg.
The competition was all of a sudden opening up and Szczesny was out from his purpose to smother after Connor Roberts’ lengthy throw had discovered Bale. Hennessey virtually suffered embarrassment after letting a again move roll below his foot. The goalkeeper needed to stretch an extended limb on the goalline earlier than clearing below stress from Lewandowski.
Piotr Zielinski’s 20-yard shot induced fewer alarms and Wales got here near taking the lead when Brennan Johnson’s effort struck James and fell inches broad of the put up with Szczesny crushed.
The impasse was damaged after 57 minutes, and it owed as a lot to the brilliance of Lewandowski because the skilled ending of Swiderski. Lewandowski’s chic flick freed Swiderski for a managed shot that went by Hennessey’s legs.
Wales virtually replied immediately as Johnson wriggled free for a shot which Szczesny tipped round a put up. Kieffer Moore and Rubin Colwill had been despatched on as Wales went for broke.
Szczesny confirmed his agility once more to disclaim James and Rodon headed over, and Wales knew their luck was out when Bale’s header bounced again off the bar.
