Nathan Broadhead netted a dramatic international debut goal 46 seconds from the end of injury time to see Wales to a 1-1 draw with Croatia in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier at the Stadion Poljud in Split this evening, while fellow Blue Wes Burns won his fourth cap.

The duo were introduced as subs in the 64th minute as the Welsh chased an equaliser, Andrej Kramaric having given the home side the lead on 28, Burns behind the central striker and Broadhead wide on the left.

The goal came in the dying moments of three minutes of time added on when Connor Roberts's long throw from the right was flicked on and Broadhead tapped home at the far post to claim what could prove a vital away point.

“I got a bit overwhelmed a little bit, to be honest, just then. I got quite emotional. I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long,” the 24-year-old, who had previously missed out on caps when called up due to injury, told S4C immediately after the game.

“We needed a point definitely. We came here to try and win the game but obviously getting the point is also good. We’re made up.”

The Bangor-born attacker later added, speaking to BBC Sport: “I’ve just seen the goal in front of me and tapped it in. It’s an amazing feeling. When I scored I went straight to the fans and it was so good.

“I wish I was up there celebrating with them. You can still hear them now.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life and every time I’ve been called up I have little issues here and there, so to finally get on the pitch is amazing.”

Wales are joint-second in qualifying Group D and host Latvia, who are yet to play, in Cardiff in their second game on Tuesday.

Broadhead, the first Town player ever to score for Wales, says he's looking forward to that match: “I’ve never watched a Wales game before at home, so it’s going to be an amazing feeling for me just to be there.”

Elsewhere, Elkan Baggott, who is currently on loan at Cheltenham, won his 13th full cap in Indonesia’s 3-1 friendly victory over Burundi at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi this afternoon. The teams meet in another friendly on Tuesday.

Blues academy forward Rio Morgan came on as a half-time sub and won his fourth cap for Northern Ireland’s U19s as they were beaten 3-1 by Romania in their second Euro 2023 elite round qualifier at the Stade Jacques Mazzuca in Saran having been reduced to 10 men just after the half hour.

The Northern Irish youngsters, who were beaten 1-0 by France in their opening fixture, will play Norway in their final mini-group game on Tuesday.

Photo: Reuters

Bradleyblue89 added 22:03 - Mar 25 Absolutely buzzing for the lad
9

PhilR added 22:05 - Mar 25 Awesome! What a moment for Broadhead. What a good player. And congratulations as well to Burns for another cap tonight, fantastic to see these guys playing at this level.
17

ArnieM added 22:06 - Mar 25 Look at his ickle face ha ha … made up for him. Watch Derby, that's all I'll say !!!
3

LegendofthePhoenix added 22:11 - Mar 25 Brilliant for Wales, brilliant for Nathan, brilliant for ITFC - what a job our recruitment team have done to find players like this. Hopefully another goal on Tuesday, then back to bang a load more in for ITFC on our way to promotion.
12

BangaloreBlues added 22:16 - Mar 25 Never expected him to get on the field, let alone score! Must be one of the best days of his life :-)
5

barrystedmunds added 22:29 - Mar 25 The good old BBC in their match report are listing him as “currently on loan from Everton”.
3

Bert added 22:33 - Mar 25 ….. have sent an email to BBC. Sport telling them to correct the info about Broadhead. They only understand the PL.
11

Epiphone added 22:34 - Mar 25 .... and give his age as 18!
1

ipswichboi added 22:40 - Mar 25 I genuinely celebrated that like a Town goal. Good boy. Him and Burns both looked decent when they came on against World Class opposition
9

itfchorry added 22:47 - Mar 25 Putting Ipswich back on the World Stage - Top work Nathan
5

Saxonblue74 added 22:59 - Mar 25 What a great result, very "Roy of the Rovers"! Shows the quality of our squad. League 1? I don't think so!
2

Lightningboy added 00:08 - Mar 26 Cracking result..well done Nathan & Wes 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
1

davidsc1971 added 00:21 - Mar 26 Doubled his value. Tidy
3

oldtimer3 added 06:22 - Mar 26 Is Nathan the first Ipswich player to score on his International debut? Probably not, just wondering.
2

Len_Brennan added 06:56 - Mar 26 £1.5m is a big outlay for a League One club; but only a few months later, he is getting his international debut in a competitive fixture, against a team that have made the semis & final of recent Euros & World Cup, plus he scores a key late goal to get his country an excellent away draw, and his has a great chance of promotion to be a Championship player next season. All that is without even looking at how impressive in the league he has been since signing. A great signing that will surely be valued at £5m at least by next January. Great scouting, great business, and well done Nathan.

8

Ipswichbusiness added 07:37 - Mar 26 Everton seem to have big problems scoring goals this season with Calvert-Lewin injured and Maupay off form. I'm a bit surprised that they sold Broadhead rather than trying him out in the first team (perhaps they are desperate for money).
1

MBG added 07:52 - Mar 26 It's a sign of the growing stature of our club that we have players on international duty. I remember the glory days of the mid/late 70's and early 80's when most of our players regularly played internationally: England - Mick Mills, Kevin Beattie, Terry Butcher, Russell Osman, Brian Talbot, Paul Mariner Scotland - George Burley, John Wark, Alan Brazil Northern Ireland - Allan Hunter Netherlands - Arnold Muhren, Frans Thijssen

6

Help added 08:12 - Mar 26 Nathan Broadheads Magic, he wears a magic hat He could have played for Wigan, but said hell no That Instead he came to Ipswich to play in the famous blue and white and scores for Wales on his debut oh what a beautiful night
4

SpiritOfJohn added 08:16 - Mar 26 @MBG you missed David Johnson, Colin Viljoen, Bryan Hamilton and Kevin O'Callaghan from your list of internationals.
4

Burley4ever added 09:51 - Mar 26 The next Gareth Bale?????? At only 24 he has great future at international level just hope if we go up this season we can keep him.
1

BangaloreBlues added 09:54 - Mar 26 I think he has the best games to goals ratio in the history of Wales - 100%. Every time he plays for Wales, he scores!
3

TractorfactorSteve added 10:47 - Mar 26 He seems to be such a good man. His interview straight afterwards was really touching. He simply didn't have the words to express his feelings.
1

TimmyH added 10:59 - Mar 26 Well done fella!...will boost his confidence no end, what I gather a very flattering draw for Wales by all accounts.
0

bobble added 12:00 - Mar 26 hopefully its the goal that knocks croatia out....
0

Nobbysnuts added 15:24 - Mar 26 Brilliant...well done Nathan.....
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