WALES will need to come through the play-offs if they are to compete in a third consecutive European Championship.
Rob Page’s side required victory over Turkey in the final round of qualifying, coupled with Croatia dropping points against Armenia.
In the end, neither result went their way. Croatia won 1-0 to book their place in Germany, while Wales were pegged back to draw 1-1 with group winners Turkey, Neco Williams’s early goal cancelled out.
Cherries duo David Brooks and Kieffer Moore were introduced off the bench in the second half at Cardiff, while Chris Mepham served a one-match ban.
Wales will now compete in the play-offs in March, beginning against either Finland, Iceland or Illia Zabarnyi’s Ukraine.
Elsewhere, Mark Travers earned his first Republic of Ireland cap in more than two years, featuring in a friendly against New Zealand.
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher started the game, before Cherries’ goalkeeper was introduced at half-time with Ireland 1-0 up thanks to an Adam Idah goal.
Travers could not prevent Matthew Garbett from equalising with a well-struck effort from 20 yards, but made some good saves after that as the game finished level in Dublin.
In Africa, Dango Ouattara capitalised on a late mix-up at the back to score for Burkina Faso as they won 3-0 away to Ethiopia in World Cup qualifying.
It is the 21-year-old’s seventh goal for his nation, in 18 appearances.
Antoine Semenyo started for Ghana in their 1-0 defeat against Comoros, substituted on 65 minutes having missed a good early chance.
Nathan Moriah-Welsh scored for Guyana as they clinched promotion into the top tier of the CONCACAF Nations League, thrashing Antigua and Barbuda 6-0.
Luis Sinisterra was an unused substitute as Colombia won 1-0 in Paraguay to continue their unbeaten start to World Cup qualifying.
Andrei Radu also did not feature, an unused sub in Romania’s 1-0 win against Switzerland.
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