Ramsey hits big milestone as Wales ease pressure on Page to revive Euros bid
Aaron Ramsey claimed a personal milestone and Rob Page heaved a sigh of relief - but David Brooks was the big winner in Riga.
Wales skipper Ramsey set up this 2-0 victory against Latvia by keeping his cool from the penalty spot. He chalked up the 100th goal of his career to relieve the pressure that had been growing on the national team's head coach during their Euro 2024 bid.
That 29th-minute intervention gave his country vital breathing space as they chased a victory that would keep alive their fading hopes of qualifying from Group D.
For a long period, that was somehow the only strike separating the two sides as the Red Dragons created and missed a string of chances. However, a highly-satisfactory evening turned into a poignant one when Brooks pounced late in injury time.
Bournemouth's playmaker had grabbed his first Premier League goal for the Cherries earlier this month after returning to action following a diagnosis for cancer that first surfaced in October 2021. He was given the all-clear from Hodgkin lymphoma seven months later but it has been a long road back and there was no mistaking the euphoric feeling that greeted his deft finish after the final whistle.
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Ramsey said: "It wasn't easy to come here, a lot of teams have struggled. So, to come and win with two goals is fantastic, and for Brooksy as well... it’s as good for him as it is for us. He's so important for us and it's nice for him to score. We're just happy to have him back."
Brooks added: "This means a lot - the three-year journey that I’ve been on to get to this point has been a long one and obviously the fans have been amazing. The behind-the-scenes work that has gone on by people for me to even be on the pitch, never mind doing something I love, and scoring goals at international level is something special."
The result eases the pressure on Rob Page (PA)Do you think Wales will qualify for Euro 2024? Let us know in the comments below!
It was somehow fitting that Page, in his hour of need, should receive payback. He has largely been credited for keeping Brooks out of England’s clutches. After a run of just one win in their last 13 matches, he certainly needed something as the Football Association of Wales had confirmed his position was ‘under review.’
But this triumph - albeit against opponents ranked 134th in the world - leaves them just three points behind group frontrunners Croatia and Turkey and he should now lead his country through this qualifying campaign.
Wales should have been three-up inside ten minutes. In the end, they had to settle for a penalty after defender Kaspars Dubra suffered a rush of blood and barged into the back of Harry Wilson.
Ramsey notched his 21st goal for his country from 12 yards but was substituted in the second half and the visitors lost some of their rhythm - only confirming the result when Brooks latched onto a through ball from Harry Wilson in the dying seconds.
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