Wales miss out despite beating Moldova

Wales missed out on a place at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals by the narrowest of margins after rounding off their elite round Group 6 campaign with victory against Moldova.

Strikes from Joseph Walsh and substitute Reece Jones earned Bryan Flynn's team the win they needed to stand any chance of qualifying. However, Serbia's 3-0 defeat of Norway – both of whom finished on six points, like Wales − meant they progressed by virtue of their results against the other two. Moldova finished bottom.

In a game brimming with chances, it was Walsh who missed the first when he put the ball wide from two metres. Ibrahim Farah was also wasteful, shooting over from close range, before Walsh made amends for his earlier profligacy by heading in Kyle McCarthy's delivery on 36 minutes.

Opportunities came and went for both sides thereafter, Vadim Raţa
passing up Moldova's best when he was denied by Jonathan Bond.
Before that, only the post prevented Jake Cassidy from doubling Wales' lead following an exchange of passes with Jonathan Williams, while Cassidy turned provider three minutes from time to tee up Jones.

"It has been a good week," said Flynn. "We had a good opportunity to go to Romania but we did not make it. A 2-0 win in any international game at any level is a good result."

Opposite number Serghei Cleşcenco added: "We knew we weren't favourites to qualify, but we're working hard to change something and improve."