Wales have punched the last European ticket to the World Cup in Qatar. In the play-off final, the Welsh Dragons narrowly beat Ukraine 1:0
Wales had saved their strength in the 2-1 Nations League defeat to Poland and fielded an almost completely different starting eleven against Ukraine. The visitors, on the other hand, started with the same team that secured their place in the play-off final against Scotland on Wednesday.
In the rain of Cardiff, there was a lot of tempo in the game from the start, both teams started briskly. The ball was in the net for the first time after just two minutes, but Zinchenko’s quickly taken free-kick was disallowed as the ball had not yet been cleared by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz. The Welsh were also looking for an early goal, in the early stages Ukraine had to defend numerous crosses into the sixteen.
Ukraine desperate for Hennessey
Only Oleksandr Petrakov’s team continued to produce dangerous finishes, but Tsygankov (9th) and Yaremchuk (12th) failed to beat the strong Welsh keeper Hennessey. Wales’ attack around Bale did not really get into the game, after half an hour Hennessey had to save again against Tsygankov and Zinchenko. The only thing Ukraine could be accused of was not rewarding themselves for the effort they had put in so far – and that was exactly what they were punished for after 34 minutes: Bale brought a free-kick dangerously towards goal from 20 metres, Yarmolenko deflected with his head unstoppable for Bushchan – 1:0 for Wales.
Ukraine tried to respond before the break, but the home side were able to defend the attacks, which were furious at times. Shortly after the restart, the visitors were also lucky that Wales did not make it 2-0 – after a beautiful counterattack, Ramsey shot narrowly over from seven metres (49.). But then the Welsh stopped their offensive play again and Ukraine became more dominant. After 56 minutes, Tsygankov had the best chance for the Eastern Europeans so far, but from close range he failed again to beat Hennessey.
Johnson fails to hit the post
The visitors kept the pressure on Wales and for long periods of time they were in control of their own penalty area, but too often Ukraine were too rash in their finishing. In minute 76, the Welsh Dragons almost had the decisive goal, but substitute Johnson hit the left post and Bushchan saved a direct shot from Bale. It was a back-and-forth affair for a few moments, with Davies diving to save Yarmolenko’s shot in the nick of time.
Six minutes before the end of normal time, Hennessey had another chance to distinguish himself, but the goalkeeper was quick to scramble a header from Dovbyk off the line. In the final minutes, Ukraine threw everything they had into the game, but the brave visitors were unable to find an equaliser.
Wales managed to hold on to their slender lead to book their last European World Cup ticket and their first appearance in the finals since 1958.
