Credit: Imago

Mark Smith

Wed 1 April 2026 8:40, UK

Lucas Perri will have been shaking his head watching Leeds United teammate Karl Darlow shine for Wales yet again on Tuesday.

Darlow started as Wales welcomed Northern Ireland to Cardiff for an international friendly, which ended 1-1 in the Welsh capital.

It came days after Darlow and his Leeds teammates saw their World Cup qualification dream end in tatters after defeat on penalties to Bosnia.

Ethan Ampadu and Dan James were rested initially by Craig Bellamy on 31 March, but did come on later in the draw to join Joe Rodon and Darlow.

It was Darlow who caught the eye again, though.

Karl Darlow on fire with Wales

Darlow pulled off a miraculous save against Bosnia from close range, before also keeping out an early penalty in the shootout, but his teammates let him down.

It was a similar story against Northern Ireland, too, as he clawed out a headed effort off the line, when it looked destined to ripple the net.

Speaking during live BBC Wales commentary, Nia Jones was stunned by his efforts in goal.

“It’s a fantastic save by Karl Darlow,” she said. “He’s a big goalkeeper, so to get down like that, you’d think it was a certain goal.”

While all of this is happening, Perri won’t exactly be filled with joy.

Lucas Perri could be set for final Leeds United start this season

Leeds return to action on Sunday, travelling to the London Stadium for an FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham United.

Win that, and Daniel Farke is taking his side to Wembley again.

Perri has been the number one in the FA Cup so far for Leeds, putting in a sensational display against Birmingham City to help his side progress.

It is expected that he will start again in East London, regardless of Darlow’s heroics over the international break, so a loss could see him not play again this season.

With seven games to go in the Premier League, Farke will want consistency, and he isn’t exactly known for heavily rotating in those games.

Perri was linked with an exit from Elland Road in January, so it would be no surprise to see that crop up again heading into the summer, with little minutes expected.