It was a wonderful night for Wales at The Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night as Rob Page’s side blew Finland away to win 4-1 – and Leeds United star Dan James got his name on the score sheet.
The Euro 2024 play-off has been long in the diary for Page and Wales fans, with Page’s side expected to do a job on Finland. They did just that, even though Teemu Pukki scored his 40th goal for his country.
David Brooks opened the scoring early on, inside three minutes. It was 2-0 when Neco Williams curled in a free-kick, before Pukki made it 2-1. Brennan Johnson restored a two-goal cushion in the second 45.
James was surprisingly left out of the starting XI given his form – watching on as Leeds teammates Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Glen Kamara played in front of him. He came on, on 73.
Dan James praises Neco Williams after Leeds links in January
Then, after 13 minutes, James caught Finland defender Miro Tenho off guard by grabbing the ball and rounding the goalie to give Wales a 4-1 lead. Wales has won brilliantly and will now play Poland.
James had only scored seven goals for Wales in his fifty caps. Williams, a £16 million player for Nottingham Forest, is not far behind; on Thursday night, he scored his fourth goal for Wales.
Leeds was linked to signing the former Liverpool player back in January. But that is how things turned out since Nuno Espirito Santo was desperate to keep him. Considering that Forest lost points, that might alter.
It will be interesting to see if Leeds are still keen. But, James is a big fan, and he praised Roberts on BBC Sport’s live coverage of the match after the game – describing his goal as “unbelievable” on Thursday.
“It was brilliant, I think we got off to a brilliant start then Neco (Williams) scored an unbelievable goal for the second,” Leeds star James said, when discussing the win – and talking about Leeds target Williams.
Could Leeds still be interested in signing Williams this summer?
Without doubt. Williams is a top, top player – proven in the Premier League and able to play in a number of different positions. Right-back, left-back, or wing-back on either side – as he does for Page’s Wales.
Leeds could do with a left-back in the summer. Sam Byram is out of contract, and Junior Firpo has failed to do it for Leeds in the Premier League – with question makes over his form even in the Championship.
The Whites have options at right-back – but Jamie Shackleton is out of contract too. Archie Gray will naturally move into midfield and Roberts is only on loan. So, signing a player like Williams would be key.
