Wales Under-21s end disappointing campaign on high note

Wales Under-21s’ unsuccessful qualification campaign for next summer’s European Under-21 Championship ended on the positive note of a 3-1 victory over Switzerland Under-21s at Rodney Parade.

On Friday they had lost 2-0 away to Romania and were already out of contention to qualify for the eight-nation competition, but Wales started impressively and as though that remained their goal.

Two first-half finishes in three minutes, from Joseff Morrell and Connor Evans, gave them the platform to chase three encouraging points.

Switzerland’s Andi Zeqiri responded for the visitors in the final 15 minutes, but Evans scored once again to ensure victory for Rob Page’s team, who had also won 3-0 in Switzerland last September but have since lost influential players to Ryan Giggs’ senior squad.

Tyler Roberts, David Brooks, George Thomas, Harry Wilson, Chris Mepham, Matthew Smith, Joe Rodon and Daniel James are among those to have been promoted to the full squad since the Under-21s’ qualification campaign began.

James’ call-up came for Tuesday evening’s Nations League fixture away to the Republic of Ireland, following Aaron Ramsey’s withdrawal through injury.

Wales’ victory means they finish fourth in Group B, behind first-placed Romania, Portugal, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.