Wales ended their 64-year wait to qualify for a World Cup after defeating Ukraine 1-0 in their World Cup Qualifying Play-Off Final.
Ukraine dominated much of the first-half but Ruslan Malinovskyi conceded a free-kick which Gareth Bale swung into the box in the 34th minute, yet Andriy Yarmolenko parried his header beyond Heorhiy Bushchan into his own net to gift Wales the lead.
Aaron Ramsey wasted a huge chance to double Wales’ lead in the 48th minute but Rob Page’s Welsh Dragons were made to defend throughout the second half, yet ultimately clung on to secure a first World Cup appearance since 1958.
Wales will now complete Group B at 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they will compete against USA, Iran and England in Qatar.
Wales manager, Rob Page opted to rotate his squad as only Kieffer Moore and Daniel James retained their places in the line-up, following Wednesday’s Nations League defeat away to Poland.
Ukraine’s Head Coach, Oleksandr Petrakov meanwhile has named an unchanged starting line-up from the team which thrashed Scotland in their rearranged Play-Off Semi-Final in midweek.
In front of a raucous crowd, Ukraine made a fast high-pressing start which culminated in a second-minute foul from Joe Allen on Taras Stepanenko, with Oleksandr Zinchenko having blasted the consequential free-kick in beyond Wayne Hennessey near the bottom right corner.
Zinchenko’s effort however was disallowed due to the set-piece having been taken before referee – Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz had blown his whistle, with the re-take going in the same direction but Hennessey this time made the save.
Ben Davies and Neco Williams then saw shots denied as Wales soon began to apply some attacking pressure but Ukraine stayed in control throughout the opening half hour, as Roman Yaremchuk, Oleksandr Karavaev, Viktor Tsygankov and Zinchenko saw shots saved by Hennessey.
Ukraine’s Ruslan Malinovskyi however conceded a free-kick with a 33rd minute foul on Dan James up the left flank, which Bale curled into the box one minute later only for Andriy Yarmolenko to head into his own net to put the hosts ahead.
Ukraine responded by applying pressure throughout the closing minutes of the first-half but was unable to find an equaliser before half-time.
Three minutes after the restart, Aaron Ramsey failed to capitalise on a square ball pass from Kieffer Moore to double Wales’ lead, as he flicked the pass wide of the bottom right corner.
Tsygankov then Yaremchuk missed chances in the 55th minute to equalise as Tsygankov’s shot was deflected by Hennessey, only for Yaremchuk to drag his shot wide.
Wales however were made to defend for much of the second-half as Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi and Vitaliy Mykolenko all saw shots denied by Hennessey and various Wales defenders.
Ukrainian substitute, Artem Dovbyk produced a great chance to equalise the match as he glanced a 84th minute header towards the top right corner, only for Hennessey to flap the ball away and Davies clear the rebound shot.
Substitute, Serhiy Sydorchuk eventually wasted Ukraine’s last real chance as he fired over in the 89th minute, with Wales eventually digging deep defensively to cling on for victory and end their 64-year wait to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
Wales will commence their World Cup campaign on Monday 21 November against USA (7pm GMT UK Time), followed by a clash against Iran on Friday 25 November (10am GMT) in their second group match.
Page’s Welsh Dragons will then conclude their Group B campaign with a tricky ‘Battle of Britain’ encounter against England on Tuesday 29 November, with the match getting underway at 7pm GMT.
Speaking post-match to Sky Sports, Page stated that he is “so proud of the guys,” for their performance to qualify for the World Cup, having ticked off the UEFA Euros in 2016 where they eventually reached the semi-finals in France but lost to Portugal.
Page also praised the supporters for their incredible vocal support in the stands as he added: “These are the best supporters in world football, they helped us from the first minute.”
Bale meanwhile described the team’s display full of defensive grittiness as “the greatest in Welsh football history.”
The Wales captain proceeded to explain his feelings on finally going to a World Cup as he continued: “It means everything, what dreams are made of, we’ve been working towards it since I first came in here.
“Words can’t describe how we feel at the moment.”
What’s Next?
Wales will now switch focus back to UEFA Nations League with home clashes against the Netherlands then Belgium on 8 and 11 June, before concluding this international window away to the Netherlands on 14 June.
Ukraine will also switch focus to the UEFA Nations League beginning with a trip to Republic of Ireland on Wednesday 8 June, before facing Armenia and Ireland in Lodz, Poland on 11 and 14 June respectively due to not being able to host their home games in Ukraine due to the on-going conflict against Russia.
Teams
Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies, Neco Williams (Norrington-Davies 90+3′), Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Daniel James (Johnson 71′), Gareth Bale (Wilson 83′), Kieffer Moore
Substitutes: Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Chris Gunter, Chris Mepham, Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, Joe Morrell, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Jonny Williams, Mark Harris, Sorba Thomas, Rabbi Matondo
Ukraine: Heorhiy Bushchan, Oleksandr Karavaev, Illya Zabarnyi, Mykola Matviyenko, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Ruslan Malinovskyi (Shaparenko 70′), Taras Stepanenko (Sydorchuk 70′), Oleksandr Zinchenko, Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Yaremchuk (Dovbyk 77′), Viktor Tsygankov (Mudryk 77′)
Substitutes: Eduard Sobol, Valeriy Bondar, Oleksandr Syrota, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Mykola Shaparenko, Artem Dovbyk, Andriy Pyatov, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok, Taras Kacharaba, Oleksandr Zubkov, Dmytro Riznyk
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
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