Top draw for Welsh as Broadhead strikes late

DEBUTANT substitute Nathan Broadhead scored a dramatic added-time equaliser last night as Wales began the post-Gareth Bale era with a fantastic point away to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia.

Manager Robert Page looked to be in for a difficult night when Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric gave his side the lead after 28 minutes. But the gamble to make a triple change midway through the second half, including the withdrawal of new skipper Aaron Ramsey, paid off in spectacular fashion right at the end.

When Croatia withdrew their legendary skipper Luka Modric to a standing ovation just seconds from time, Connor Roberts’s long throw was flicked on by Chris Mepham and striker Broadhead from League One Ipswich Town scored from close range with his team’s first shot on target.

Broadhead said: ‘I got a bit overwhelmed to be honest, a bit emotional. I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.

‘We needed a point, we came here to try and win but to get a point is good as well. We are made up.’

The result means that Wales, who have qualified for the last two European Championships, can be confident of beating Latvia at home on Tuesday night to boost their hopes of making it a hat-trick at Euro 2024 in Germany next year.

Page’s task was obvious from the team line-ups. With Bale heading a list of international retirements and Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson both injured, none of his XI had started in the last round of Premier League matches.

In contrast, Croatia were able to call upon evergreen 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Modric for his 163rd cap as well as Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Leipzig’s £100millionrated defender Josko Gvardiol.

Croatia dominated the early stages with Danny Ward forced into flying saves from the brilliant Modric and Kramaric.

Wales then had a let-off when Perisic’s strike after 26 minutes was ruled out for a foul in the buildup but the visitors didn’t learn their lesson and they went behind two minutes later.

Joe Rodon failed to deal with a long goal-kick by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and from there Kramaric found it easy to muscle his way past Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams.

With Mepham backing off, the former Leicester striker then caught Ward out with a quick strike with the outside of his right foot from 12 yards.

Roared on by a passionate support, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia nearly added a quick second goal when Modric’s volley from Perisic’s knockdown flew wide.

Wales offered little in the final third in the first half and took 42 minutes to register their first shot when Harry Wilson’s free-kick skimmed the top of the wall.

Besides Bale, who was capped a record 111 times for his country, boss Page had also lost Joe Allen, Chris Gunther and Jonny Williams from the squad that last year played in Wales’ first World Cup finals since 1958.

Yet their more positive outlook in the second half meant they always stayed in the game and had a glorious chance to level after an hour.

A thrilling burst of pace by Wilson saw him eventually clip a pass to unmarked Fulham team-mate Dan James who drove wide from eight yards. But joyously for Wales, Broadhead had the final say.