Dramatic finish ensures Wales joy

Wales topped UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 12 on home soil after an extraordinary concluding victory against Russia, which helped Bosnia-Herzegovina through with three draws.

Dramatic conclusion
Going into the last set of games, Wales had four points, Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina two and Iceland one. Russia lost Nikita Galkin to a red card early in the second half against Wales but with eight minutes left went ahead through Maksim Barsov, who was booked and subsequently dismissed for his celebration. Two minutes remained when Wales goalkeeper Jonathan Bond went up for a corner and equalised, and in added time James Loveridge secured a 2-1 victory, which meant that Russia finished last. Bosnia-Herzegovina claimed the second Elite round berth on offer with a 1-1 draw against Iceland.

Ulianov stunned
Wales manager Brian Flynn told uefa.com: "We were very fortunate as this was more a case of Russia beating themselves than Wales beating Russia." Meanwhile, Russia assistant coach Dmitry Ulianov added: "I have seen a lot in football, but never such an eventful second half. To go ahead, have a player sent off, concede an equaliser by the keeper – the first I have ever seen – and then to concede for a late defeat is disappointing."

Opening games
Flynn's side had begun by beating Iceland 3-2, in which all the goals came in an 18-minute second-half period, Wales going two up – the first from Leon Newall seconds after his introduction – surrendering their lead, then clinching victory through Richard Peniket. Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina drew 0-0. Two days later Bosnia-Herzegovina seemed set to defeat Wales, only for Loveridge to make it 2-2 in the last minute, and set the scene for his dramatic intervention against Russia, who were held 1-1 by Iceland in their second game.

Iceland hope
While Wales were beating Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina had led Iceland at half-time through Dino Bevab but Tomas Oli Gardarsson made it 1-1 with eleven minutes left. Iceland did look like they were finishing bottom but the late Wales win means they ended above Russia on goals scored, and could go through as one of the two third-placed sides with the best record against the leading pair in their group across the 13 pools; Luxembourg can no longer progress on that reckoning.