Poland 2-1 Wales: Jonny Williams strike not enough for victory as attention switches to World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine

Wales began a crucial schedule of international fixtures by slumping to defeat at the hands of Poland in Wroclaw.

The opening game of a new UEFA Nations League campaign saw boss Rob Page choose to rest a number of stars, although for roughly an hour or so, his makeshift line-up turned in a performance full of genuine positives.

Jonny Williams popped up in the second half for what was only his second international goal, producing a fine finish to give the visitors into the lead, only for Poland to hit back courtesy of goals from Jakub Kaminiski and Karol Swiderski.

Wales have never won a competitive game in Poland, and the eagerness to set that record straight was always going to be dwarfed by the importance of Sunday's World Cup play-off final. 'Common sense approach' was the slogan of the evening when Page explained the thinking behind his somewhat experimental XI shortly before kick-off.

Few were surprised to see the likes of Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey left out of the matchday squad. This outing was perhaps important in terms of their UEFA Nations League campaign, but let's be frank. The looming opportunity of a first World Cup berth since 1958 will have rendered it largely meaningless for many members of the Red Wall.

And yet, try telling winger Wes Burns all that. The Ipswich Town winger, six years after missing out on a place in the squad for Euro 2016, produced a highly accomplished performance on his international debut, on a night he will never forget.

There certainly wasn't any shortage of endeavour from him or his team-mates here, with Daniel James and Kieffer Moore also producing encouraging showings, although Poland certainly gave Page's side a thorough examination.

Indeed, they perhaps should