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Wales' potential path to Euro 2024 explained ahead of Finland play-off

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Rob Page
Rob Page's Wales are just two games away from a Euros place (Image: Getty Images)

While England, Scotland and the other teams already assured of a Euro 2024 place are involved in friendlies during the March international break, there's far more at stake for Wales.

Rob Page's side are in with a shot of qualifying for a third straight major tournament, after making it to Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. It could also be a third successive appearance at the Euros, including that memorable run to the semi-finals in France in 2016.

Wales only managed third spot in their qualifying group, with Turkey and Croatia claiming the two automatic qualification spots for the tournament in Germany. However, their Nations League efforts were enough to earn them a second chance.

They play Finland this week, with victory enough to keep their Euros dreams alive. Here, Mirror Football provides the lowdown on the play-offs which are set to determine the final three teams at the tournament.

Following a play-off draw in November, Wales were handed a home draw in their play-off semi-final. They will take on Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, with the winner leaving themselves just one game from the Euros.

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The second semi-final sees Poland take on Estonia in Warsaw. The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in a one-off game on March 26 - if Wales win their semi, they'll be at home again, while victory for Finland would ensure the final takes place in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

Finland came third in their qualifying group, behind Denmark and Slovenia, while Poland were third in theirs behind Albania and the Czech Republic. Estonia finished bottom of their group, with just one point, but earned a play-off spot as the best League D group winners in the Nations League.

Will Wales make it through the play-offs? Have your say in the comments section

Wales' potential path to Euro 2024 explained ahead of Finland play-offWales could face Poland and Robert Lewandowski if they make it past Finland (Getty Images)

Wales' four-team play-off is one of three play-off paths to the finals. One of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine, Israel and Iceland will also qualify, as will one of Georgia, Luxembourg, Greece and Kazakhstan.

If Wales do progress, it will be the second straight tournament in which they have progressed through the play-offs. Page's team booked their place at the 2022 World Cup after overcoming Austria in their play-off semis and then claiming a 1-0 win over Ukraine in Cardiff.

This time, the reward for making it through the play-offs will be a tricky group in Germany. France and The Netherlands await the winning team from Wales' path, as do an Austria side who picked up 19 points from a possible 24 in qualifying.

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Tom Victor

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