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In all these years of waiting, the stark truth about Wales’ Qatar World Cup campaign was that it felt like torture.
The wait and longing for Gareth Bale to produce something. The unbearable feeling that Bale was under duress at every press conference. The undeniable sense that Rob Page was not in control of events, merely hoping his superstars would produce the virtually impossible.
Still clinging to the remnants of that beautiful era, Page clings to a far-fetched notion that Aaron Ramsey – on the bench on Thursday – has another headline in him.
But the fight was about this little nation moving on and Page doing what leaders do. Setting up a system and deploying players to fit in. No more waiting, hoping and holding your breath.
It was a different Wales for this big occasion. A team better than the sum of its parts. A collective with such a fine kind of balance – Nathan Ampadu and Jordan James in the engine room, which provided a stability that gave the three-man defense such confidence.
Neco Williams celebrates with his teammates after scoring to help Wales beat Finland
There is life after Gareth Bale, with Wales now 90 minutes away from qualifying for Euro 2024
Rob Page’s side will play Poland in the final, with the manager saying: ‘bring it on!’
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And pace. Extraordinary, enervating pace. Harry Wilson, David Brooks, Brennan Johnson and later Dan James – looking for the early ball, receiving it and wreaking havoc.
It wasn’t always Bale’s class. Wilson was wrong as he might have ended this with a fourth at the hour mark. But these players seemed to know it was their time.
Wilson requires special mention. He has been under pressure for a long time as a prodigy broke through at Liverpool. He, more than anyone else last night, seemed set free.
Brooks too. His international future has looked uncertain for so long, even as he returned from cancer treatment.
Only a couple of substitute appearances at the last EC. But he has come out into the light.
The opportunism of his third-minute goal vindicated Page’s decision to play him. It set off what was the best performance of Page’s reign.
Ben Davies, matching Gary Speed’s cap total last night, who was close to Bale and Ramsey, and knows more than anyone what their departures meant.
It’s a new kind of leadership from him as Neco Williams stepped up to deliver what Bale always did with the set-piece.
David Brooks gave his side a dream start, volleying home from a rebound after just three minutes
Ben Davies had a goal disallowed during the game but equaled Gary Speed’s tally
Brennan Johnson also got into the game as he added Wales’ third goal of the evening
There was no doubting Wales’ buoyancy with their home fans in full voice at the performance
If there’s one worry about what lies ahead – a play-off final against Poland in Cardiff next Tuesday – it’s the defensive errors this side is prone to. It was another very iffy night for Chris Mepham, whose positioning let him down as Teemu Pukki buried the chance he had.
The Poles – 30 places above the Finns in the FIFA rankings and one below Wales – will be a different proposition.
But there was no doubt about the buoyancy. For too long the football conversation in Wales has been down, with gloom about the departing legends and such uncertainty about the future and what a barren landscape it could be.
When the Welsh national anthem echoed around the stadium near the end, it felt like something else. A team steps out into the light.
