Wales produced a stunning performance to beat Croatia 2-1 in Cardiff on Sunday evening and keep their European qualifying hopes alive – and Welsh media were full of praise for Leeds player Ethan Ampadu.
Ampadu, 22, has been a revelation for Leeds since he joined the club for an initial £7m from Chelsea in the summer. He has played every minute of our 13 games in all competitions this term. No one else has.
He got a welcome rest last week, remaining an unused sub in a 4-0 win over Gibraltar. On Sunday, the Leeds star was back in the starting XI – against trio Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic.
But surprisingly, it was Wales that came out on top – and deserved to do so. Rob Page’s formation was too much for Croatia’s ageing midfield, and somewhat docile front three. Harry Wilson, the star man.
He scored a brace as Wales secured a stunning win – Dan James coming off the bench to get an assist for his second. Ampadu was just as crucial to the 2-1 victory – Wales Online handing him an 8/10 rating.
“Pivotal to his side’s good work in transition. Mopped up when needed. No player on the pitch made more tackles,” Wales Online reported. The win takes Wales back to second in Group D, behind Turkey.
Welsh media full of praise for Leeds player Ethan Ampadu
Pinch me, because Leeds bought this player for a bargain fee of just £7m, at least initially. Even with add-ons taking a deal to £10m, Ampadu is one of the bargains of the summer – throughout the world.
Coming up against a midfield of Brozovic, Modric and Kovacic – one that is tried and tested, and have played with eachother for years – it would have been understandable for Ampadu and co to struggle.
But it looked as if Ampadu – along with Jordan James of Birmingham City – and with Wilson in front of them, were the midfield that had accumulated many caps together. A stunning out from Ampadu.
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