Wales v Finland LIVE: Result and final score after Euro 2024 play-off semi-final

Joe Rodon believes Wales can count on their tournament experience against Finland to progress in the Euro 2024 play-offs.

Rodon said: “We lost superstars like Gareth Bale and Joe Allen (after the 2022 World Cup) and it was always going to be difficult for the group in transition. I don’t think I can speak highly enough of Gaz and Joe. They are icons of Welsh football and the game as well, and it’s going to have an impact on any team.

“But we’ve got players coming up to 50 caps now who have been around quite a bit and have that experience in tournaments. It’s not new to us that we’re in situations like this. There’s a really good balance in the group and a good amount of experience.”

Finland have some familiar faces in their starting line-up tonight, with ex-Norwich striker Teemu Pukki leading the line and Leeds United’s Glen Kamara playing in midfield. Middlesbrough’s Marcus Forss is out through injury.

Finland XI: Hradecky (C); Alho, Tenho, Ivanov, Peltola; Schuller, Kamara, Lod, Hakans; Pohjanpalo, Pukki.

Subs: Joronen, Sinisalo, R. Jensen, Hoskonen, Suhonen, F. Jensen, Soiri, Kairinen, Antman, Uronen, Kallman, Niskanen.

Ethan Ampadu insists he has a lot more to achieve in football as he prepares to become the youngest Welshman to win 50 caps.

Ampadu is set to break Chris Gunter’s record at the tender age of 23 in Thursday’s Euro 2024 play-off semi-final against Finland in Cardiff. The versatile Leeds player, who can operate at centre-back or in midfield, will reach the 50-cap milestone at the same age as England pair Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

“Everyone wants to try and achieve it as quickly as they can,” said Ampadu, who made his Wales debut against France as a 17-year-old in 2017. “Whether that was by the time I was 23 or 28, just to achieve the milestone itself is a massive achievement. I’m not really too interested on how quick you can do it.”

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Aaron Ramsey is on the bench, as suspected, as he continues to recover from an injury-ravaged season. The front three is Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson and David Brooks, with plenty of options off the bench should they be needed.

Wales XI: Ward; Rodon, Mepham, Davies (C); C Roberts, Ampadu, J James, Williams; Wilson, Johnson, Brooks.

Subs: Hennessey, King, Fox, Dasilva, Sheehan, Savage, D. James, Matondo, Broadhead, Cullen, Moore.

Rob Page defended Danny Ward and blamed “politics” for the out-of-favour Leicester goalkeeper not moving in the January transfer window.

Ward, Wales’ No 1, has not played for Leicester in over 12 months and finds himself third-choice goalkeeper at the Championship promotion-chasers.

Page urged several Wales players to change clubs in January in order to play more ahead of the Euro 2024 play-offs, which starts with a semi-final against Finland in Cardiff on Thursday.

Almost to a man Page’s call was heeded but Ward has remained frozen out at Leicester, drawing plenty of criticism from Wales fans on social media who feel he should have moved with ambitions of a third successive European Championship appearance.

“I’ve spoken to Danny and it wasn’t a case of him not listening to my advice,” said Page. “When you put your player head on, you get it, I understand it. I have sympathy for Danny. When I put my manager head on, no, but with my player head on, of course I understand.

“When politics are involved and you’ve got a length of time left on your contract, it is not as easy as just getting out and playing games of football. There are many aspects to that. It’s hard sometimes and not easy to just get out when there are wages, fees and all-sorts involved, it is out of your control.”

The final draw for Euro 2024 took place in December, meaning all involved are aware of which group they will end up in should they progress.

Wales will go into Group D at Euro 2024, should they progress through the play-offs.

Group D: Path A winners, Netherlands, Austria, France

Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Path B winners

Group F: Turkey, Path C winners, Portugal, Czech Republic

Take a look at the full Euro 2024 draw here:

The fixtures are as follows:

Semi-finals (Thursday 21 March)

Path A: Poland vs Estonia, Wales vs Finland

Path B: Israel vs Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Ukraine

Path C: Georgia vs Luxembourg, Greece vs Kazakhstan

Finals (Tuesday 26 March)

Path A: Wales/Finland vs Poland/Estonia

Path B: Bosnia and Herzegovina/Ukraine vs Israel/Iceland

Path C: Georgia/Luxembourg vs Greece/Kazakhstan

The final three places at Euro 2024 are up for grabs as 12 teams compete for a spot at the tournament.

They will look to join the 21 nations already drawn into groups for the European Championship in Germany this summer.

There have been play-offs for six of the last seven Euros in a variety of formats, with this year’s competitors decided by the results of the 2022/23 Nations League.

The 12 teams have been split into three paths, with one spot available from each.

There are four teams each in Path A, Path B, Path C, split into two semi-finals in each. These will be contested over a single leg, with the fixture progressing to extra time and penalties if required.

The six winning semi-finalists will then meet in three single-legged finals to decide who reaches Euro 2024.

Ampadu has forged an outstanding centre-back partnership with Tottenham loanee Rodon at Leeds United this season, as the Championship high-fliers have stepped up their push for a return to the Premier League.

But Page has recently used Ampadu in a central midfield axis with Birmingham teenager Jordan James.

“Of course you’re going to think about it (playing Ampadu in defence), but when I’ve got a three that are playing well I don’t like making changes for the sake of it,” said Page, who has been an Elland Road regular this season.

“I do like Ethan as a centre-back because he keeps you high up the pitch. You can play a high line because he is not worried about pace in behind because of his athleticism and aggression. On the ball we’ve needed that physicality and him and JJ (James) have struck up such a strong partnership.

“It’s great to have that luxury that he can play more than one position and Joe can do the same. When Locks (Tom Lockyer) came in and played in the middle, Joe went to the right of the three and did really well. That’s given me food for thought as both of them can play a multitude of positions.

“He and Joe have struck up a good partnership keeping clean sheets, but Ethan’s just as good playing as a six in midfield as he is at the back.”

Meanwhile, Rob Page desribed Ethan Ampadu as a future Wales captain.

Ampadu is set to win his 50th cap in tonight’s Euro 2024 play-off semi-final against Finland at the tender age of 23. Barring any future injury issues, the versatile Leeds player seems certain to break Gareth Bale’s record of 111 caps.

“He’s only 23 and it seems like he’s been around forever because of the age (17) when he got his debut,” Page said of Ampadu, who has started 42 of Leeds’ 43 games this term since making a £7m switch from Chelsea.

“He’s a future Wales captain 100 per cent because he’s already captained Leeds and that’s a big club. He’s a model pro on and off the pitch. He doesn’t get carried away with things, his attitude is first-class, and that’s why he has the Leeds armband.

“It is a big responsibility but they wouldn’t have given it to him if they didn’t think he could cope with it.”