Wales and Croatia played to a mutually beneficial draw on Sunday, with Nikola Vlašić’s ninth-minute opener canceled out by Gareth Bale just before the halftime whistle in Cardiff. Croatia remains top of a tight-knit Group E and can secure passage with a draw or victory against Slovakia on Nov. 16, while Wales is now on a collision course with Hungary on Nov. 19 in Cardiff (assuming the Dragons take care of business against Azerbaijan on Nov. 16).
Apart from a boneheaded challenge from Dejan Lovren on Daniel James which could’ve led to an early Welsh penalty, the 2018 World Cup runners-up dominated the first half.
The opening goal was wonderfully worked from the visitors and quickly sucked the air out of Cardiff City Stadium.
Влашич. pic.twitter.com/puRE4aKArx
— RV2 (@romvicgr2) October 13, 2019
To make matters worse, James was then seemingly knocked unconscious after being clattered with a knee to the face.
Looks awful watching it again! Daniel James was knocked out big time. pic.twitter.com/ZS6cHsedWN
— Adam Humphreys (@AdamAce1066) October 13, 2019
Stateside, the match was being aired on ESPN. On the call was Taylor Twellman, who had his own career cut short by head injury. He’s since become an advocate for increased awareness in sports-related concussions, and Twellman was understandably disappointed with the fact that James would continue.
I just don’t understand how @UEFA and @FIFAcom continue to keep their heads in the sand re: this topic......I fear it’s going to take some catastrophic for their to be substantial change/progress. #Euro2020Qualifiers https://t.co/YHQMMkRmWq
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) October 13, 2019
But with Euro 2020 qualification at stake, the 21-year-old Manchester United winger quickly convinced the medical staff that he could continue.
Remarkably — following one of Wales’ first forays forward and with the crowd chanting “Attack! Attack! Attack!” — the Dragons snatched an equalizer entirely against the run of play.
Ben Davies clattered through the back of Mateo Kovačić to win possession, and then he supplied Bale for the finish.
Bale finition. Unbelievable. #WALCRO pic.twitter.com/PLaekfYTN6
— 10. (@Jamesinhoo10) October 13, 2019
With Aaron Ramsey still out injured, it’s been all about Bale throughout this qualifying campaign.
14 - Gareth Bale has been directly involved in 14 goals in his last 18 starts for Wales in all competitions, scoring 11 and assisting three. Pivotal. pic.twitter.com/HIKmiLMJUW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 13, 2019
MAIS ARRÊTEZ BALE IL EST TROP FORT pic.twitter.com/myg6f7ev6y
— H (@HugoooG78) October 13, 2019
The final period of the match was played at a relatively calm pace with both sides happy to settle for a point. Every Luka Modrić involvement was greeted with chants of “You’re just a shit Joe Allen” from the home crowd, and Modrić’s unpleasant evening would end with a booking followed by an injury substitution.
Bale also finished the match hobbling around the pitch. With El Clásico just 13 days away, it was a disastrous end to the evening for Zinedine Zidane.
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