Wales dealt big Euros blow with draw in Armenia

Wales are now in a position where they must rely on the possibility of their competitors, Croatia, losing some points in the remaining two games.

Wales' possibility of qualifying directly for Euro 2024 was severely affected after an unimpressive tie with Armenia in Yerevan that could be a huge setback.

Armenia was able to obtain an impressive victory over Wales in Cardiff last June. They managed to take the lead in the game within the first five minutes, thanks to Lucas Zelarayan. This player had already scored twice during the previous 4-2 win against Wales in the summer. He seized an opportunity created by some poor defending and hit a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Wales appeared nervous and agitated, yet managed to generate opportunities and score the equalizer just before the break when Nair Tiknizyan of Armenia unintentionally deflected the ball into his own net from a throw-in taken by Connor Roberts.

To keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification, both teams were in dire need of a win. In the second half, they both launched an aggressive attack. Vahan Bichakchyan from Armenia hit the crossbar while Jordan James from Wales had his shot saved, as both teams tried their best to score and secure a victory.

To be honest, it can be said that the visitors were unworthy of winning and, consequently, they have lost their power over determining their own future.

The team from Wales needs to win against the top-ranked Turkey in Cardiff on Tuesday. Additionally, they need to pray that Croatia doesn't win against Latvia, as they also play on Tuesday against Armenia.

If Wales don't make it to the top two in their group, they'll most likely have the backup option of the play-offs in March due to the Uefa Nations League.

Undoubtedly, the outcome of the match in Yerevan has caused harm to both Robert Page and his team. They had been in control of their fate, but that changed with this particular game.

However, they squandered the chance with a dismal showing.

Wales' opportunity to progress seemed bleak earlier in this season when they experienced consecutive losses against Armenia and Turkey in June.

Suffering a 4-2 defeat on their own turf against Armenia was very harmful, as Page expressed later on that he couldn't stop thinking about how his team failed against a squad that was situated 71 spots lower in the global rankings.

If that was the lowest point of Page's time as manager, he considered last month's significant victory over Croatia to be the greatest achievement of his leadership.

After winning against Latvia in September, Wales had renewed hopes of qualifying. By defeating Croatia, they had strengthened their position and were now only a few victories away from securing their spot in Germany for next summer. Wins against Armenia and Turkey would ensure their qualification.

The previous loss to Armenia was a humbling experience, and it left Wales feeling a bit cautious and uncertain going into this match.

In Yerevan, Armenia's team consisted of nine of the same players who began the match in Cardiff. Zelarayan, who scored an incredible volley to secure the win in the previous game, caused problems for the Welsh team once again.

The team playing on their own turf began well and, soon after Wales were unable to manage a corner, Zelarayan took charge of the ball just outside of the box. He skillfully avoided two defenders and took a shot that went in off the post.

The goal intensified the atmosphere in Yerevan, triggering flares being lit in the stands, and the local supporters passionately supporting their team. The team is still in the running for qualifying for Euro 2024.

The activity on the soccer field was just as hectic as Wales attempted to even the score by having David Brooks shoot the ball just barely over the goalpost and Neco Williams' shot was redirected and missed the target.

Wales had opportunities to score, but they were not playing with the same level of grace and command as they had showcased when playing against Croatia.

The situation took a turn for the worse when Chris Mepham was issued with a yellow card in the first half, which implies that he won't be able to participate in the game against Turkey on Tuesday. Furthermore, there was another moment of concern when Kieffer Moore fell down while holding his ankle, but he managed to stand up and carry on playing.

Even with several difficulties arising, Wales managed to score a goal just in time before the halfway break. The scorer was initially ambiguous. It seemed that Joe Rodon made contact with Robert's throw, but after closer examination, it was apparent that the centre-back's touch deflected off of Tiknizyan, leading to an own goal.

In order to have a shot at qualifying directly for Euro 2024, both teams had to come out on top, resulting in a feeling of urgency in their gameplay during the second half.

Emotions ran high as players from both teams received yellow cards. Wales appeared to be calming the crowd down when Bichakchyan hit the crossbar, shifting the momentum in Armenia's favor once again.

The Welsh team substituted in Brennan Johnson and Daniel James, hoping that their quickness and straightforward running would assist them in scoring the crucial goal. However, they were still missing the finishing touch while attacking towards the opponent's goal.

The goalie for Armenia, Ognjen Cancarevic, had no trouble preventing shots from James, Moore, and Ethan Ampadu. Wales switched things up by adding another attacker, Nathan Broadhead, in their attempt to win the game.

However, they were unable to discover a path forward. Instead, it was Armenia who nearly scored the winning goal, with substitute Edgar Sevikyan compelling Danny Ward to make a save in stoppage time.

After the draw, Armenia's chances of qualifying for Euro 2024 were not improved. Consequently, the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium was quiet and unimpressed when the game concluded.

The spectators at the game felt annoyed, but the distress experienced by Wales was much stronger. It seems probable that they will have to go through a more difficult route to qualify for their fourth major tournament in the past eight years.

The game has concluded with the final score being Armenia 1 and Wales 1.

The concluding part of the game has arrived, and the scores are level at 1-1 between Armenia and Wales.

The shot from Eduard Spertsyan, who plays for Armenia, missed its target. He used his right foot to take the shot from a distance outside of the box, but the ball flew over the top of the goal. Nair Tiknizyan helped Spertsyan with the play.

The attempt made by Eduard Spertsyan from Armenia was stopped. He used his right foot to shoot from the area outside the penalty box, but it was interrupted by the opposing team's defenders. The play was assisted by Lucas Zelarayán.

The shot from Edgar Sevikyan (from Armenia) missed the target as it went to the right of the goal. The help came from Lucas Zelarayán.

Artur Miranyan of Armenia managed to earn a free kick in the defensive half of the field.

Joe Rodon (Wales) made an infraction.

The effort was unsuccessful. Varazdat Haroyan from Armenia tried to score with a header from the middle of the field, but the ball went too high and missed to the right. The team received assistance from Eduard Spertsyan, who passed the ball in after a corner.

Danny Ward gave up a corner kick in the match between two teams in Armenia.

Danny Ward gave up a corner in the Armenia match.

The shot taken by Edgar Sevikyan from the right side of the box was blocked in the upper left corner. Lucas Zelarayán provided the assist.

The shot by Brennan Johnson from the middle of the box was stopped by a defender's body using their right foot. Neco Williams gave the pass leading up to the shot.

The effort was not successful as Joe Rodon of Wales missed a header to the left of the goalpost. Daniel James had provided assistance by sending a cross from a corner kick.

In the corner, in Wales, Georgi Harutyunyan let in a goal.

The shot taken by Nair Tiknizyan from the left side of the box with his left foot was unsuccessful as it was aimed too high.

The shot was stopped. Ethan Ampadu, a player from Wales, used his head to aim for the center of the goal, but the goalkeeper was able to prevent it from going in. Chris Mepham assisted Ampadu by passing the ball to him with his head.

Varazdat Haroyan (from Armenia) committed a foul.

Kieffer Moore from the Wales team has achieved a free kick while in the attacking half of the field.

Lucas Zelarayán from Armenia just took a shot from outside the box but unfortunately, he missed. Nair Tiknizyan helped him with the assist.

Artur Miranyan, a player from Armenia, has earned a free kick in the defensive section of the field.