Shane Long ruled out of Wales game due to injury

Victory could send either side straight to the finals! Moments later, Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph was called into action to push a long-range Aaron Ramsey effort over the crossbar.

You really can’t beat the Welsh national anthem.

Iceland stayed on the path to becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup after beating Turkey 3-0 on Friday. Updates from now on will be with the minute of the match.

And while O’Neil and Mauricio Pellegrino, his manager at Southampton, may cheer louder than anyone if the quick-footed striker finally breaks his duck at the Cardiff City Stadium, fans of West Ham will be a little less concerned by his current malaise.

1930: Just 15 minutes to go until kick-off and a cracking atmosphere in Cardiff is already starting to build.

After Cesar’s red card following an altercation with Christophe Berra, Snodgrass could not generate enough power to direct his header over goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who had conceded his first goals at home in the qualifying campaign. In short, both teams were setting their stalls out to win.

Europe’s nine group winners qualify automatically for next year’s 32-team tournament in Russian Federation, while the eight best runners-up enter a two-leg playoff for the last four berths.

As Croatia doubled their lead, Serbia then grabbed a goal against Georgia to rule out any possibility of the Welsh pinching top spot.

In this scenario, the last play-off place comes down to “the drawing of lots”.

If both Wales and Croatia draw, then the two will be level on points and goal difference, with number of goals scored deciding which of them progresses.

Spain sealed its place in the 2018 World Cup as Group G victor after storming to a 3-0 win over Albania on Friday with a ruthless first half display, while nearest challenger Italy was held to a 1-1 draw by Macedonia.

Wales require a win to ensure their spot in the World Cup playoffs and should be safe with a draw.

1905: Let’s take a look at the Sky Bet odds for tonight’s match.

1857: He’ll have these fans backing his side.

Wales and the Republic of Ireland go head-to-head at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight.

“They were labelled this “golden” bunch of players before we qualified [for Euro 2016] and I fought against that, because they had not earned that tag”.

Noel King has challenged the Republic of Ireland U21s to continue an unbeaten start to their European Championship qualifying campaign by ending Israel’s. Harry Arter was also drafted into the midfield, with Callum O’Dowda, Wes Hoolahan and the injured Shane Long making way.

Wales and the Republic of Ireland will battle it out at the World Cup qualifiers tonight.