Romania take charge with Wales win

Romania closed to within a point of Group 10 leaders Wales with a game in hand thanks to a 1-0 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying victory in Wrexham.

Remaining matches
The visitors were fortunate to still be on level terms when Adrian Ropotan got the merest of touches to a straight Gabriel Torje free-kick after 65 minutes to inflict a second defeat on a Wales side who were hoping to guarentee themselves first place and a play-off berth. Unbeaten Romania will go top if they defeat Bosnia-Herzegovina away on 6 September meaning they would require just a point in their final fixture at home to Wales three days later.

Missed chances
Wales were dominant during the opening 45 minutes at the Racecourse Ground and should have taken at least a one-goal lead into the break. Sam Vokes was off target with two free headers twice during the space of five first-half minutes following crosses by Ched Evans and Gareth Bale, while the latter failed to connect with Chris Gunter's inviting centre 12 minutes after the restart. Romania scored eight minutes later to punish their opponents' profligacy and although Rhys Williams' shot was deflected on to the crossbar by Stefan Daniel Radu late on, Wales could find no way through.