• Home
  • Football
  • Sam Vokes Backs Wales To Win From A Long Way Back On The Grid

Sam Vokes Backs Wales To Win From A Long Way Back On The Grid

Sam Vokes insists Wales can recover from back-to-back defeats to still qualify for the finals of Euro 2020. The nation’s hopes of making it to next summer’s finals through a top-two spot in Group E suffered a severe setback with a 1-0 defeat to Hungary in Budapest on Tuesday night. It was Wales’ second defeat in the space of four days after a 2-1 loss to Croatia on Saturday.

Sam Vokes insists Wales can recover from back-to-back defeats to still qualify for the finals of Euro 2020.

The nation’s hopes of making it to next summer’s finals through a top-two spot in Group E suffered a severe setback with a 1-0 defeat to Hungary in Budapest on Tuesday night.

It was Wales’ second defeat in the space of four days after a 2-1 loss to Croatia on Saturday.

It leaves them six points behind group leaders Hungary, albeit with a game in hand, and three adrift of Slovakia – 5-1 winners in Azerbaijan on Tuesday – and Croatia.

“We’ve got an uphill task for the rest of the group but it’s still doable – 100 per cent,” Stoke striker Vokes said.

“Realistically, we probably have to win all of our games now. But you’ve seen this group, everyone beats each other.

“The last two games we’ve had are probably the toughest in the group, and it’s obviously disappointing not to get anything from them.

“But we’ve got these teams back in Cardiff now and we’ll look to get something there. We’ve got Azerbaijan at home next in September and that will be huge for us.”

Vokes provided a focal point in the closing stages as Wales frantically pushed for an equaliser at the Groupama Arena.

Embed from Getty Images

But it was to prove a frustrating night after Gareth Bale, who failed to provide the attacking spark that Wales needed, and Tom Lawrence had missed clear opportunities to open the scoring.

“I thought it was there for us, which is why it’s so disappointing,” Vokes said. “The second half could have gone either way, but I felt we were still the stronger side.

“Gareth has not had great game-time (at Real Madrid) but we know he is a match-winner for us. There’s no doubts from the lads in the dressing room what he’s got and what he’s about.”

Bale and Vokes are among the survivors from the squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 under previous Wales manager Chris Coleman.

Current boss Ryan Giggs has fast-tracked several youngsters into the side but he recalled experienced pair Ashley Williams and Chris Gunter to the defence in Budapest, the pair now having won 181 caps between them.

There was still a fresh feel to the starting line-up, however, with James Lawrence, Ethan Ampadu, David Brooks and Daniel James all relatively new to the international stage.

“You’ve seen the transition which has happened in the squad,” Vokes said. “There’s a lot of experience from those who have been here a while.

“But the lads coming through have got a lot of caps under their belts now. The group is what it is now, but we still believe we can do it when we come back after the summer.”

 

Related News

Wrexham's Kieffer Moore. Pic. Alamy

Kieffer Moore Blow Casts Shadow Over Wales and Wrexham Hopes

Kieffer Moore’s injury has cast a cloud of anxiety that has settled over both Wrexham and Wales as both bid for a step towards glory.

David Williams | 2 hours ago
Head Coach Vitor Matos. Pic. Alamy

Swansea City Boss Ignores Play-Off Chat . . . But Wrexham Clash Will Turn up the Volume

Vitor Matos insists talk of a Championship play-off push by Swansea City is not on his mind ahead of Friday’s big Welsh derby against Wrexham.

David Williams | 4 hours ago
Brian Barry-Murphy Head Coach of Cardiff City. Pic. Alamy

It’s not Meant to be Easy, Insists Brian Barry-Murphy as Cardiff City Held

Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy insists the grind of a League One promotion race was never supposed to be easy after his side slipped up again.

David Parsons | 6 hours ago
Ashley Phillips, Stoke City. Pic. Alamy

Wales Hope Swansea Way Will Prove a Wales Route for Ashley Phillips

Craig Bellamy is hoping Ashley Phillips’ strong Swansea links convince the Tottenham Hotspur defender to switch back to Wales from England.

Paul Jones | Mar 10, 2026
Liam Cullen of Swansea City (20). Pic. Alamy

Swansea City’s Liam Cullen . . . Instinct of a Marksman, Patience of a Saint

Liam Cullen says scoring spectacular goals and influencing games from the bench is hugely satisfying — but he still wants to start matches for club and country.

Graham Thomas | Mar 09, 2026
Flint Town United players celebrate on their way to a 5-1 victory over Bangor City. Pic: FAW

Caernarfon and Flint Flex Muscle to Reach Welsh Cup Final

An all-JD Cymru Premier showdown will decide this season’s Welsh Cup.

David Williams | Mar 09, 2026