Wales may have suffered a defeat courtesy of Italy on Sunday but that didn’t stop supporters from continuing to be impressed by the performances of goalkeeper Danny Ward at Euro 2020.
Italy secured a 1-0 win over Wales, which was enough to see them finish top of Group A, and they would have won by a bigger margin if it hadn’t been for the Leicester City keeper being on top form.
The Italians fired 23 shots at goal, with six of those hitting the target, and they ended the game with 70% possession.
Ward was winning only his 16th cap for his nation on Sunday and Wales caretaker manager Robert Page must be thrilled that his shrewd decision to make the 27-year-old shot-stopper his first-choice keeper is paying off as it was a big call to select Ward ahead of the vastly more experienced Wayne Hennessey.
Ward only featured five times for Leicester City across all competitions in the 2020/2021 campaign as the Welshman is behind the very talented Kasper Schmeichel in the pecking order at the King Power Stadium.
In the handful of outings, Ward did make for the Foxes in his latest season, he managed to register two clean sheets and conceded a total of four goals.
The 27-year-old has been a Foxes player since July 2018 after joining from Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers’ side believed to have paid £12.5million for his services.
Ward managed to make only three appearances for Liverpool before departing Anfield on a permanent basis, despite spending six years under contract with the Merseyside club, however, the Reds did send him out on several loan spells during his stint.
The keeper had temporary spells at the likes of Morecambe, Aberdeen, and Huddersfield Town.
While Ward may not be a regular for Leicester City, Wales supporters will be hoping the keeper’s good displays continue throughout Euro 2020, as it will help Page’s side progress even further in the tournament following them making out of Group A successfully.
A random assortment of fans were totally buzzing after Danny Ward’s latest display on Twitter following Wales’ narrow 1-0 defeat to Italy:
I’m still smiling to myself thinking about Danny Ward, what a star #WAL #CymruamByth
— Rhian Roberts (@Rhiroberts) June 21, 2021
Danny Ward is legitimately Superman #WAL #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/c30U0SPBpp
— Peter Gillibrand (@GillibrandPeter) June 20, 2021
Danny Ward has been our player of tournament so far #wal #EURO2020
— Lord Hoptimus (@Sparkyrite) June 20, 2021
Well done @FAWales , didn’t get the win , but still through ! Proud of Everyman on that field today , particularly Danny Ward 👏🏽 #WAL
— steven evans (@stevieEvs82) June 20, 2021
Aged about 10 years in that second half🙈. Great squad effort today, Rodon and Ward were brilliant. 🏴🏴⚽#WAL #EURO2020 #TogetherStronger #TheRedWall
— GarethJones🏴 (@Gashy76) June 20, 2021
Wales, first home nation to qualify to the next round, how about that eh? What a tournament this guy is having btw. Find it astonishing that Danny Ward doesn't get regular first team football. #WAL pic.twitter.com/JZztra4rDu
— Vikki (@Vik7788) June 20, 2021
We defended brilliantly today, especially when down to 10. Danny Ward was superb again. Italy are a gteat side, even with so many changes. Thought we were our own wort enemy at times #WAL #EURO2020
— Jonathan Davies (@jmd1004) June 20, 2021
Joe Rodon and Danny Ward have been outstanding in all 3 games 🧱 🏴 #WAL #EURO2020
— Haydn Smith (@haydnsmith98) June 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/vikingwelsh1/status/1406694974188630021?s=20