Wales' bid for automatic qualification to Euro 2024 is teetering on the edge following a 1-1 draw with Armenia on Saturday.
Had Rob Page's team secured victory in Yerevan and triumphed over Turkey at home on Tuesday, it would have guaranteed Wales a spot in the upcoming tournament in Germany.
However, their fate now hinges on Croatia dropping points against either Latvia or Armenia to secure a top-two finish in Group D.
Armenia, despite gaining a point, faces slim chances of qualifying for their maiden major tournament. Even if Wales falls short of automatic qualification, the safety net of a playoff through their ranking in the Nations League remains available.
The missed opportunity weighs heavily on Rob Page, especially after the remarkable 2-1 victory over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia last month, injecting renewed hope into Wales' qualifying campaign.
Reflecting on encounters with Armenia, ranked 95th globally, Wales may rue the 4-2 upset in Cardiff in June, a result that initially cast doubt on Page's future.
In the recent clash, Armenia took an early lead with Lucas Zelarayan's fine strike, exposing Wales' failure to learn from past lessons. The visitors initially struggled to find their rhythm, lacking the creative spark often provided by the retired Gareth Bale.
Wales found an equalizer just before halftime, courtesy of Nair Tiknizyan's own goal, gifted by a header from Connor Roberts' long throw.
As both teams threw bodies forward in the final stages, a draw proved little use for either side's qualifying aspirations. Armenia appeared more dangerous, with Vahan Bichakhchyan's shot hitting the crossbar and Edgar Sevikyan's attempt being thwarted by Danny Ward.
Wales temporarily sit a point ahead in second place in the group, but Croatia could leapfrog them when they travel to Latvia later on Saturday. Armenia, three points behind Wales, faces Croatia in their final group game on Tuesday.
