Ryan Giggsâ team are back in action this Autumn for their first match in 10 months owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, kicking off with the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League campaign. The match against England will be one of two additional international matches scheduled as triple headers in October and November. In keeping with current Government guidelines, this fixture is scheduled to be played behind-closed-doors.
We’ve been counting down the days to this on our 2020 Calendar…..
Since their first encounter in 1879, England are Cymruâs second oldest opponents with 102 matches in total producing 14 wins, 21 draws and 67 defeats. Cymruâs last visit to Wembley Stadium was in 2011 for a UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier, with Ashley Cole scoring in a 1-0 defeat.
Ryan Giggsâ side will be using this match to prepare for the rescheduled EURO 2020 finals next summer where they hope to return to Wembley, one of the host stadiums, for the latter stages of the tournament.
Looking ahead to the autumn, Cymru are in Nations League Group B4 alongside Bulgaria, Finland and the Republic of Ireland with fixture dates as follows:
- Thursday, 3 September – Finland v Cymru (7:45pm)
- Sunday, 6 September – Cymru v Bulgaria (2:00pm)
- Sunday, 11 October – Republic of Ireland v Cymru (2:00pm)
- Wednesday, 14 October – Bulgaria v Cymru (7:45pm)
- Sunday, 15 November – Cymru v Republic of Ireland (5:00pm)
- Wednesday, 18 November – Cymru v Finland (7:45pm)
All fixtures are scheduled to be played behind-closed-doors for the foreseeable future. The Football Association of Wales/Cymru (FAW) will continue to adhere to relevant Government guidelines and supporters will be notified should arrangements change and tickets become available.
We’re hoping for a slightly better result than the last meeting between Cymru and England, away from Wembley. England won 2-1 in Lens, France at UEFA EURO 2016, when goals from Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge gave the Three Lions a dramatic victory.
Roy Hodgsonâs side fell behind to a long-range Gareth Bale free-kick shortly before half-time, and the England manager brought on Sturridge and Jamie Vardy at half-time to regain the upper hand.
Vardy equalised in the 56th minute with a scrambled effort, but Wales looked to have held out for a point before Sturridge fired home with 91 minutes on the clock.
The second half of that game was all England, with Kyle Walker a threatening presence on the right, surging forward from full-back and teasing Wales defenders with his footwork and perceptive passing.
But Wales countered this threat by dropping deeper and defending for their lives, and Hodgson responded in turn by introducing Marcus Rashford as a third forward.
If you’d like to look back at the Cymru V England story, FAW has the whole story, in ten fixtures right HERE.
There’s an old score to settle at Wembley and we’re sure Cymru would like nothing more to come away with a win on England home turf.
Although there won’t be any crowd at the October Wembley meeting, it will give both teams the opportunity to experience Wembley Stadiumâs renovated facilities.
The fixture will also allow the players to pay tribute to some footballing greats who have passed away over the last 12 months, notably 1966 World Cup-winning heroes Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter, Peter Bonetti and Martin Peters.
In keeping with current Government guidelines, the game is scheduled to be played behind-closed-doors. These are the details.
- International Friendly
- Thursday 8th October at 8pm
- Wembley Stadium connected by EE
- Live on ITV