Anticipation is building ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and with England and Wales matched up against each other in the group stage, it’s an opportunity to see two home nations go toe-to-toe at a World Cup finals for the very first time.
With football fans checking out the Wales v England odds ahead of the titanic tussle at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, we’ve had a look back at the five most recent meetings between the two nations.
England 3-0 Wales, October 2020
The last time these two sides came head-to-head was in an international friendly at Wembley in October 2020. With the coronavirus pandemic plunging the football world into empty stadiums, this match was played in front of an empty Wembley, but England produced plenty of noise on the pitch.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin marked his England debut by notching the opener after 26 minutes, ensuring the home side held a 1-0 lead at the break.
England pressed on in the second half, with Conor Coady notching his first international goal to double the lead. Then, Danny Ings produced a moment of magic, as his acrobatic bicycle kick made it 3-0 and secured a comfortable win for Gareth Southgate’s men.
England 2-1 Wales, June 2016
You have to go back to Euro 2016 for the previous meeting between Wales and England, when they were drawn in the same group for the tournament in France.
The two teams had experienced contrasting fortunes in their opening matches. Wales had produced a wonderful display to beat Slovakia 2-0, whereas England had been forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Russia.
That made the meeting in Lens hugely important, and it was Wales who got off to the best possible start, as Gareth Bale’s free-kick evaded Joe Hart and gave Chris Coleman’s side a 1-0 lead at half-time.
England were up against it and needed a response. Step forward Jamie Vardy, who had just helped Leicester City win the Premier League in sensational fashion, to draw England level. Then, with just minutes remaining, Daniel Sturridge squeezed a shot past Wayne Hennessey to win the game for Roy Hodgson’s side.
England 1-0 Wales, September 2011
The qualification campaign for Euro 2012 saw England and Wales drawn in the same group, and although this meeting at Wembley wasn’t a classic, it was a hard-fought game in which Fabio Capello’s men did well to come out on top.
A goal from Ashley Young in the first half made the difference in the end, although if Robert Earnshaw had converted a very presentable second-half opportunity, Wales could well have come away with a point.
Wales 0-2 England, March 2011
Before that, the two teams had met in Cardiff, where England produced a more convincing display against their neighbours. A Frank Lampard penalty got the ball rolling in the 7th minute, before Darren Bent made it 2-0 shortly after.
From there, England controlled proceedings, and the result was never really in doubt for Capello’s charges.
