Wales at the UEFA European Championship

As founder members of UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations), the governing body for all football in Europe, the Wales national football team has participated in all but one UEFA European Championship since it began as the European Nations' Cup in 1960. The tournament has been played every four years since then, with qualifying matches being played in the two years before each tournament.

Wales' only successful qualifications for the finals came in 2016 and 2020. In 2016, they finished as runners-up in their qualifying group, before going on to reach the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Portugal. In 2020, they also finished second in their qualifying group to secure automatic qualification for the finals.

2016
Main article: UEFA Euro 2016

Qualifying

In qualifying for Euro 2016, Wales were placed in the fourth of six seeding pots, along with Montenegro, Armenia, Scotland, Finland, Latvia, Bulgaria, Estonia and Belarus.[1] They were drawn into Group B with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Israel, Cyprus and Andorra.[2]

Wales began their campaign in September 2014 with an away game against Andorra, and went behind to a penalty kick in the sixth minute; however, Gareth Bale equalised midway through the first half before scoring from a free kick with only a minute left in the game to give Wales their first three points.[3] A double-header in Cardiff followed in October 2014; first, a 0–0 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina,[4] followed by a 2–1 win over Cyprus. Goals from David Cotterill and Hal Robson-Kanu gave them the lead, only for Cyprus to pull one back; however, Wales were able to hang on for the win despite Andy King being sent off early in the second half.[5] Another goalless draw came away to Belgium in November 2014, leaving Wales in second place behind Israel – who were yet to drop a point – at the end of the year.[6]

Wales' first game of 2015 saw them travel to the group leaders in March, with Bale setting up Aaron Ramsey before scoring another two goals himself in a 3–0 win to take top spot.[7] On the occasion of his 50th international appearance, Bale then scored his fifth goal of qualifying back in Cardiff in June 2015, giving Wales a 1–0 win over Belgium, who had gone top of the group with victory over Israel in March and were on an unbeaten run stretching back to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[8] Bale again scored the only goal of the game in Wales' next match away to Cyprus in September 2015,[9] but their first chance to assure qualification was missed at home to Israel, as the visitors' defence neutralised Bale and Simon Church had a goal disallowed for offside in injury time at the end of the game.[10]

Losing 2–0 away to Bosnia and Herzegovina in October 2015, Wales' first defeat of the campaign, allowed Belgium to move into top spot in the group, but Israel's loss to Cyprus meant Wales had qualified for their first European Championship and their first major tournament since the 1958 FIFA World Cup.[11] Despite the defeat, the nation celebrated and a 2–0 win over Andorra three days later, with goals from Ramsey and Bale, was followed by a party atmosphere at the Cardiff City Stadium.[12] Bale finished with seven goals, joint for the sixth most in qualifying.[13]

Squad

Wales named an initial squad of 29 players on 9 May 2016 for a training camp in Portugal ahead of travelling to France for the finals; Gareth Bale was left out due to Real Madrid's involvement in the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final.[14] Defender Adam Henley and forward Tom Bradshaw left the camp early due to injuries, before the final squad of 23 was announced on 31 May.[15] Bale was included but was a fitness concern after suffering cramp in the Champions League final, while Joe Ledley was also included less than a month after breaking his leg. There were also issues relating to the fitness of striker Hal Robson-Kanu and midfielder Joe Allen. Adam Matthews, Paul Dummett, Emyr Huws and Wes Burns were cut.[16]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Wayne Hennessey (1987-01-24)24 January 1987 (aged 29) 57 0 Crystal Palace
2 2DF Chris Gunter (1989-07-21)21 July 1989 (aged 26) 67 0 Reading
3 2DF Neil Taylor (1989-02-07)7 February 1989 (aged 27) 28 0 Swansea City
4 2DF Ben Davies (1993-04-24)24 April 1993 (aged 23) 20 0 Tottenham Hotspur
5 2DF James Chester (1989-01-23)23 January 1989 (aged 27) 11 0 West Bromwich Albion
6 2DF Ashley Williams (captain) (1984-08-23)23 August 1984 (aged 31) 59 1 Swansea City
7 3MF Joe Allen (1990-03-14)14 March 1990 (aged 26) 25 0 Liverpool
8 3MF Andy King (1988-10-29)29 October 1988 (aged 27) 33 2 Leicester City
9 4FW Hal Robson-Kanu (1989-05-21)21 May 1989 (aged 27) 30 2 Reading
10 3MF Aaron Ramsey (1990-12-26)26 December 1990 (aged 25) 39 10 Arsenal
11 4FW Gareth Bale (1989-07-16)16 July 1989 (aged 26) 55 19 Real Madrid
12 1GK Owain Fôn Williams (1987-03-17)17 March 1987 (aged 29) 1 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
13 4FW George Williams (1995-09-07)7 September 1995 (aged 20) 7 0 Gillingham
14 3MF David Edwards (1986-02-03)3 February 1986 (aged 30) 32 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
15 2DF Jazz Richards (1991-04-12)12 April 1991 (aged 25) 9 0 Fulham
16 3MF Joe Ledley (1987-01-23)23 January 1987 (aged 29) 61 4 Crystal Palace
17 4FW David Cotterill (1987-12-04)4 December 1987 (aged 28) 23 2 Birmingham City
18 4FW Sam Vokes (1989-10-21)21 October 1989 (aged 26) 40 6 Burnley
19 2DF James Collins (1983-08-23)23 August 1983 (aged 32) 47 3 West Ham United
20 3MF Jonny Williams (1993-10-09)9 October 1993 (aged 22) 12 0 Milton Keynes Dons
21 1GK Danny Ward (1993-06-22)22 June 1993 (aged 22) 2 0 Liverpool
22 3MF David Vaughan (1983-02-18)18 February 1983 (aged 33) 42 1 Nottingham Forest
23 4FW Simon Church (1988-12-10)10 December 1988 (aged 27) 36 3 Aberdeen

Group stage
Main article: UEFA Euro 2016 Group B

Finishing in second place in their qualifying group meant Wales avoided having to go through a play-off to reach Euro 2016, but due to their UEFA coefficient, they were placed in the fourth and final pot for the finals draw in December 2015, along with Turkey, the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Albania and Northern Ireland.[17] The draw saw Wales paired with England, Russia and Slovakia in Group B.[18]

In their first appearance at a major tournament for 58 years, Wales played their first match of the finals on 11 June 2016, coming up against Slovakia in Bordeaux. Bale opened the scoring with a direct free kick in the 10th minute, and Wales held the lead until 16 minutes into the second half, when Ondrej Duda equalised for the Slovaks; however, Hal Robson-Kanu's goal nine minutes from the end secured the three points for Wales, who went top of the group after the first round of matches.[19] The second game on 16 June saw Wales play England in Lens; again, Bale opened the scoring from a free kick just before half-time, but a goal from Jamie Vardy 10 minutes into the second half and an injury-time winner from Daniel Sturridge saw England move a point ahead of Wales at the top of the group.[20] With places in the round of 16 going not only to the top two in each group but also to the four best third-place finishers, Wales needed only to avoid defeat to Russia in their final group match in Toulouse on 20 June; however, they were not content to settle for just a point, and ultimately ran out as 3–0 winners. Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring with a chip over Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev in the 11th minute, followed by a first international goal for left-back Neil Taylor nine minutes later, before Bale added the third midway through the second half.[21] Combined with England's goalless draw with Slovakia, the result meant Wales finished as group winners, and would play against Northern Ireland in the round of 16.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Wales 3 2 0 1 6 3 +3 6 Advance to knockout phase
2  England 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
3  Slovakia 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
4  Russia 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4 1
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Wales 2–1 Slovakia
 Report
Attendance: 37,831[22]
England 2–1 Wales
 Report
Attendance: 34,033[23]
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
Russia 0–3 Wales
Report
Attendance: 28,840[24]

Knockout phase
Main article: UEFA Euro 2016 knockout phase

As the winners of Group B, the combination of best third-placed teams meant Wales played against the third-placed team from Group C, Northern Ireland, in the round of 16. The match was played in Paris on 25 June, with Wales winning 1–0 thanks to an own goal from Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley as he attempted to clear a low cross from Bale.[25] In the quarter-finals, Wales came up against their opponents from qualifying, Belgium, in Lille on 1 July, and went behind after less than 15 minutes, thanks to a long-range strike from Radja Nainggolan; however, just after the half-hour mark, captain Ashley Williams scored with a header from a Ramsey corner, and 10 minutes into the second half, Robson-Kanu made space in the Belgium penalty area with a Cruyff Turn to beat three defenders before finishing past Thibaut Courtois. Then, with less than five minutes to play, Sam Vokes headed home a cross from Chris Gunter to make it 3–1 to Wales and send them into their first ever semi-final of a major tournament.[26] However, they were unable to get over the last hurdle and reach the final, losing 2–0 to Portugal in Lyon on 6 July, a quick-fire double from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani proving the difference between the two sides.[27]

Round of 16

Wales 1–0 Northern Ireland
 Report
Attendance: 44,342[28]

Quarter-finals

Wales 3–1 Belgium
 Report
Attendance: 45,936[29]

Semi-finals

Portugal 2–0 Wales
 Report
Attendance: 55,679[30]

Record
In finals In qualifying competition
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1960Did not enterDid not enter
1964Did not qualify100124
19686123612
1972621356
19768512157
19806303118
1984623176
1988622275
1992641186
199610226919
20008305716
2004104241311
2008124351819
20128305610
2016Semi-finals3rd/24640210610631114
2020Qualified8422106
2024To be determined
TotalBest: Semi-finals1/156402106109452044134139
* Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Wales' European Championship record
First match  Wales 2–1 Slovakia 
(Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; 11 June 2016)
Biggest win  Russia 0–3 Wales 
(Stadium Municipal, Toulouse, France; 20 June 2016)
Biggest defeat  Portugal 2–0 Wales 
(Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu, France; 6 July 2016)
Best result Semi-finals at the 2016 European Championship
Worst result n/a
Top goalscorer Gareth Bale (3) at the 2016 European Championship

By opponent
UEFA European Championship finals matches
Opponents Wins Draws Losses Total
 Belgium1001
 England0011
 Northern Ireland1001
 Portugal0011
 Russia1001
 Slovakia1001

References
  1. "Pots announced for EURO qualifying draw". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  2. "Euro 2016 qualifying draw: England face Switzerland and Slovenia". The Guardian. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  3. Pitman, Mark (9 September 2014). "Bale double gives Wales opening win in Andorra". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  4. Hart, Simon (10 October 2014). "Wales hold Bosnia and Herzegovina at bay". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  5. "Ten-man Wales hold on to see off Cyprus". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  6. Pritchard, Dafydd (16 November 2014). "Belgium 0-0 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  7. Goren, Boaz (28 March 2015). "Superb Bale takes Wales above Israel". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  8. Pritchard, Dafydd (12 June 2015). "Wales 1-0 Belgium". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  9. "Cyprus 0-1 Wales". BBC Sport. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  10. Hart, Simon (6 September 2015). "Stubborn Israel keep Wales waiting". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  11. Krvavac, Fedja (10 October 2015). "Wales qualify despite Bosnia and Herzegovina loss". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  12. Pritchard, Dafydd (13 October 2015). "Wales 2-0 Andorra". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  13. "2016 UEFA European Championship Statistics - Qualifying phase - Goals scored". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  14. "Wales boss Chris Coleman names 29-man Euro training squad". BBC Sport. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  15. "Euro 2016: Wales' Joe Allen an injury doubt for Sweden". BBC Sport. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  16. "Euro 2016: Wales include Joe Ledley in 23-man squad for Euro 2016". BBC Sport. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  17. "EURO 2016 draw pots confirmed for 12 December". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  18. "UEFA EURO 2016 finals draw made in Paris". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  19. Pritchard, Dafydd (11 June 2016). "Wales 2-1 Slovakia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  20. McNulty, Phil (16 June 2016). "England 2-1 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  21. Pritchard, Dafydd (20 June 2016). "Russia 0-3 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  22. "Full Time Summary – Wales v Slovakia" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  23. "Full Time Summary – England v Wales" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  24. "Full Time Summary – Russia v Wales" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  25. "Wales 1-0 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  26. Pritchard, Dafydd (1 July 2016). "Wales 3-1 Belgium". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  27. McNulty, Phil (6 July 2016). "Portugal 2-0 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  28. "Full Time Summary – Wales v Northern Ireland" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  29. "Full Time Summary – Wales v Belgium" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  30. "Full Time Summary – Portugal v Wales" (PDF). UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
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