Wales suffer Euro 2024 qualification blow after a damaging draw in Armenia... with Croatia handed the chance to seize second place against Latvia

Rob Page was left hoping for a favour from Latvia as Wales failed to find the win that would have put them within touching distance of Euro 2024.

Victories over Armenia on Saturday and Turkey on Tuesday would have sent Wales to next summer’s Finals but they could manage only a point after a disjointed display in Yerevan, meaning they were hoping Croatia would drop points in Latvia hours later.

Lucas Zelarayan put Armenia in front early on and though Wales were level through Nair Tiknizyan’s own-goal, the home side created the better chances after the break, striking the bar and forcing a key save from Danny Ward.

Wales had the worst possible start when Joe Rodon failed to head a corner clear, allowing Zelarayan to gather and despatch a low drive from the edge of the area beyond Danny Ward.

The visitors might have responded instantly as Armenia did not deal with a long throw from Connor Roberts and the ball dropped to David Brooks 10 yards out, but the Bournemouth attacker fired over. Kieffer Moore was causing problems for the home defence and after he had barged his way through, Neco Williams’ effort was deflected wide.

Page’s men were becoming increasingly irritated by Armenia’s physical style, though they came close to an equaliser when Brooks and Williams combined to create a chance for Harry Wilson, with only a fine save from Ognjen Chancharevich denying him.

Just when it seemed as though Wales would end the first half trailing, they hauled themselves level. Once more it was Roberts’ long throw that did the damage as Tiknizyan’s header at the near post flew into his own net.

With the stakes high, the temperature was rising and players squared up to one another when Varazdat Haroyan was booked for hacking down Wilson. Armenia were furious that Wilson did not put the ball out of play even though their midfielder Ugochukwu Iwu was down injured.

Then Wales had a huge escape. Grant-Leon Ranos played a short pass to Vihan Bichakhchyan and his curling strike from 20 yards beat Ward but hit the underside of the bar, and Zelarayan skied the follow-up from close range.

The draw suited neither side so it was no surprise that the football became more and more frantic. Ward produced a super stop to prevent substitute Edgar Sevikyan finding a winner as the match ticked into five mintues’ stoppage time and he sliced wildly wide again when set up by Zelarayan.