Wales prove there is life after Bale in Euro 2024 turnaround

LONDON: Life after Gareth Bale appeared bleak for Wales, but Rob Page's men have the chance of a third consecutive appearance at the European Championship in their own hands after a remarkable turnaround in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Page's job was reportedly in danger after a damaging 4-2 home defeat to Armenia was followed by a 2-0 loss away to Turkey in June.

However, a famous 2-1 win over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in Cardiff last month has given Wales new hope they can make it to Germany next year and fuelled optimism for the future.

Wales still need two wins from their final two games in Group D, away to Armenia and home to already-qualified Turkey, to guarantee qualification.

But they do have the safety net of being virtually assured of a playoff place thanks to their ranking in the Nations League.

"We want to win both games to qualify as it's in our own hands," said Page.

"We didn't like what we saw in June. We put things right in September (a 2-0 win in Latvia) and built on it in October, and then capped it off with one of the best performances that I've seen.

"But we've got to build on that as it will count for nothing if we don't follow it up. We need to sustain those levels."

A year ago, Page's men were preparing for their first World Cup since 1958.

But the joy of reaching the finals in Qatar quickly evaporated. Bale's late penalty rescued a 1-1 draw against the United States before painful defeats to Iran and England sent them packing.

Page faced a double challenge 12 months ago - ageing veterans lacked the legs to play three intense games in nine days while many of those in their prime were short on minutes at club level.

Aaron Ramsey's current absence due to injury means Tottenham defender Ben Davies is the only