Wales can still overhaul Czech Republic in their group
Wales' enterprising display was not enough for victory against the Czech Republic as the two sides produced a thrilling 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw in Prague.
Captain Aaron Ramsey's composed finish in an otherwise frenetic first half gave Wales a lead which lasted less than two minutes as Jakub Pesek scored on the rebound.
The Czech Republic were gifted a bizarre second goal early in the second half as Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward failed to control a Ramsey backpass and allowed it to roll into the net.
Wales responded in style as Daniel James equalised with an assured finish which sparked a period of intense Welsh pressure.
Robert Page's side created many chances, but their inability to find a winner their dominance deserved means they remain third in Group E, trailing the Czech Republic on goal difference, albeit with a game in hand.
With Belgium's eight-point lead at the top making automatic qualification effectively impossible, Wales' battle with the Czech Republic for second spot - and passage to the play-offs - looks set to go down to the wire.
Wales are already all but guaranteed a play-off place thanks to their success in the Nations League, but finishing second in this World Cup qualifying group could secure a more favourable draw in that knockout stage.
That was why Page had described this as "a must-win game to guarantee finishing second" beforehand and, while this result may not further their cause, Wales face Estonia in Tallinn on Monday knowing they still have three matches left to overhaul the Czech Republic.
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Victory in Prague was of equal, if not greater, importance to the home side, who had played a game more than Wales and approached this fixture with an attacking intent which bordered on reckless.
It made the Czechs dangerous - with Adam Hlozek forcing Ward into an early save - but it also made them vulnerable.
Whenever the Czech Republic pushed forward, they left huge amounts of space behind which Wales exploited.
James' pace made him the obvious target for Welsh counters and he was found brilliantly by a Ramsey pass in the 17th minute but, with just one Czech defender tracking back between the Leeds winger and Kieffer Moore, James dithered before overhitting his pass to Moore, whose shot was smothered by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.
It was a glorious opportunity and a warning which the Czech Republic did not heed.
From a Czech corner, Ethan Ampadu drove out of the Welsh defence and passed to Neco Williams wide on the right. The Liverpool full-back's cross grazed James' head and fell to Ramsey, in space at the far post, who calmly waited for Vaclik to commit and lifted a delicate finish over the keeper.
Ramsey's composure was at odds with the chaos of the first half and, true to the game's frenzied pace, the Czech Republic were level under two minutes later.
Wales' defending was rash as all three centre-backs rushed towards Filip Novak, whose shot was saved by Ward, but the ball went into the path of Pesek to equalise.
Wales recover from Ward's mishap
Wales might have felt aggrieved not to be leading at the break but, four minutes into the second half, they found themselves behind in unusual circumstances.
Ramsey regained possession deep in his own half and passed back to Ward and, while it was a firmly-hit pass, it was straight at the goalkeeper, who inexplicably failed to control the ball and instead allowed it to only brush his boot on its way into the net.
It was a deeply unfortunate moment for Ward, who has performed superbly for Wales, but it did not affect him or his team-mates as the game wore on.
Wales were soon back on top and cutting the Czech defence open at will, with substitute Harry Wilson particularly impressive.
Wilson threaded an excellent through ball to James, who took a touch and fired firmly into the bottom corner to bring Wales level, and then played in Ramsey, who had a shot well saved by Vaclik.
Moore was the next to threaten, heading wide from a Connor Roberts cross, before Roberts' backheel from Moore's pass went close.
Chances were piling up and the Czech Republic looked increasingly stressed in defence. Although Wales could not turn their dominance into victory, this performance - arguably their best of this campaign - will give Page and his players reason to believe they might yet be the first Wales side since 1958 to qualify for a World Cup.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsCzech Rep
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Vaclik13Mateju3Celustka6Kalas17Novák21Král22Soucek8Pesek7Barak19Hlozek10Schick
- 1Vaclik13Mateju3Celustka6Kalas17NovákSubstituted forWiesnerat 84'minutes21KrálSubstituted forKuchtaat 83'minutes22Soucek8PesekSubstituted forVydraat 76'minutes7BarakBooked at 26minsSubstituted forSadÃlekat 77'minutesBooked at 90mins19HlozekSubstituted forZmrhalat 90'minutes10Schick
Substitutes
- 2Zima4Brabec5Wiesner11Kuchta12Kopic14Zmrhal15SadÃlek16Mandous18Havel20Vydra23Stanek
Wales
Formation 5-3-2
12Ward2Gunter5Mepham6Rodon15Ampadu3N Williams7Allen16Morrell10Ramsey13Moore20James
- 12Ward2GunterSubstituted forRobertsat 60'minutes5MephamSubstituted forRobertsat 86'minutes6Rodon15AmpaduBooked at 26mins3N WilliamsSubstituted forThomasat 76'minutes7Allen16MorrellSubstituted forWilsonat 60'minutes10RamseyBooked at 1mins13MooreBooked at 90mins20James
Substitutes
- 1Hennessey4Lawrence8Wilson9Roberts11Williams14Roberts17Thomas18M Harris19Vaulks21Davies22Johnson23Cabango
Referee:Deniz AytekinAttendance:16,856Match StatsHome TeamCzech RepAway TeamWalesPossessionHome51%Away49%ShotsHome12Away16Shots on TargetHome3Away5CornersHome4Away5FoulsHome11Away14Live TextPost update
Match ends, Czech Republic 2, Wales 2.
90'+4'Full Time
Second Half ends, Czech Republic 2, Wales 2.
90'+3'Post update
Offside, Wales. Tyler Roberts tries a through ball, but Connor Roberts is caught offside.
90'+3'Post update
Daniel James (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Ondrej Celustka (Czech Republic).
90'+2'Booking
Kieffer Moore (Wales) is shown the yellow card.
90'+2'Post update
Ales Mateju (Czech Republic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Kieffer Moore (Wales).
90'+1'Booking
Michal SadÃlek (Czech Republic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+1'Post update
Foul by Michal SadÃlek (Czech Republic).
90'+1'Post update
Kieffer Moore (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'Substitution
Substitution, Czech Republic. Jaromir Zmrhal replaces Adam Hlozek.
90'Post update
Jan Kuchta (Czech Republic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'Post update
Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Wales).
88'Post update
Foul by Adam Hlozek (Czech Republic).
88'Post update
Ethan Ampadu (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'Post update
Jan Kuchta (Czech Republic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'Post update
Foul by Harry Wilson (Wales).
88'Post update
Attempt blocked. Sorba Thomas (Wales) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Wilson.
86'Substitution
Substitution, Wales. Tyler Roberts replaces Chris Mepham.
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Source: bbc.com