Wales vs Poland LIVE: Euro 2024 play-off final result and reaction as Dragons defeated in penalty shootout
Wales 0-0 Poland (4-5 after penalties): Rob Page’s men fail to reach Euro 2024 after penalty heartbreak
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Wales failed to secure a place at Euro 2024 after losing their play-off final against Poland in a heart-breaking penalty shootout. The match remained goalless through the first 120 minutes with Wales managing to hold on through extra-time in a competitive match for the first time in their history.
They were the better team for the majority of the evening. Kieffer Moore was a consistent threat in the air and was denied a couple of times from the goalkeeping heroics of Wojciech Szczesny. Ben Davies, expertly marking Robert Lewandowski throughout, had a goal disallowed on the stroke of half-time through a marginal offside.
Wales were unable to take advantage during the second half and the match came down to a shootout. Poland, led by Lewandowski, scored a perfect five meaning Daniel James needed to score to keep the shootout on track. He shot to Szczesny’s right and the goalkeeper leapt across to palm the ball away and send his nation into Euro 2024 this summer.
Relive the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
Wales 0-0 Poland
36 mins: A lovely long ball comes over the top for Brennan Johnson who brings it down beautifully before slipping a pass to Neco Williams on the overlap.
He squirts a low pass into the box but Harry Wilson can’t get a foot to it and Poland scramble it away.
Wales 0-0 Poland
33 mins: There’s a rendition of Yma o Hyd from the Welsh supporters which never fails to get the spine tingling and the goosebumps out.
Will the Wales players respond with renewed effort?
In the other Euro play-off final taking place right now, Iceland have taken the lead over Ukraine.
Wales 0-0 Poland
30 mins: Kieffer Moore has been a big threat for Wales over the first half and hour or so and takes a kick to the back of the leg after a forceful clearance from Frankowski.
Poland’s attack down the right wing means Ben Davies have some work to do and expertly blocks the cross from coming into the box.
Wales 0-0 Poland
27 mins: Zalewski isn’t happy as he dances inside from the leg wing and gets brought down outside the penalty area. Jordan James breaks up the pitch for Wales but runs out of space.
Wales switch sides and try to get into the final third through Neco Williams but he’s forced to retreat too. The hosts remain patient and keep control of the ball.
Harry Wilson tricks his way into the box and cuts the ball back but he can’t find a red shirt and Poland manage to clear their lines.
Wales 0-0 Poland
24 mins: Wales do look dangerous from the set pieces. That could be their way to succeed in this match. Both Moore and Davies have bee strong in the air.
Rob Page would love his team to get on the ball and control the midfield though.
Wales 0-0 Poland
21 mins: The opportunity from the corner will give Wales some confidence. Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson look sharp up the top of the pitch when they get the chances to run at the Polish back line.
Johnson forces a corner from Pawel Dawidowicz. Williams whips in the corner this time and finds Kieffer Moore who nods the ball well across goal.
Wales 0-0 Poland
18 mins: Poland are starting to settle into this match. They’re getting more crosses and passes into dangerous positions but so far Wales are handling the danger well.
Connor Roberts clears the ball into the stands.
Poland win the first corner of the match and Swiderski swings in the set piece. The home side clear the danger and look to break through Ethan Ampadu.
His poor ball eventually comes to Brennan Johnson who releases Ampadu for a pass out to Neco Williams. The attack results in a corner for Wales but Ben Davies or Kieffer Moore heads the effort over the target.
Wales 0-0 Poland
15 mins: The ball bounces about in midfield with Ethan Ampadu doing brilliantly to recover possession and feed it into Brennan Johnson.
He threads a pass over to Neco Williams who runs into trouble and gets tackled by Przemyslaw Frankowski.
At the other end of the pitch, Frankowski whips in a cross as Karol Swiderski darts in between the centre-backs. He sticks out a leg to try and turn the ball into the net but it bounces just past his foot and Danny Ward watches it go wide of the far post.
Wales 0-0 Poland
12 mins: Neither side has managed to get properly get control of the ball so far with Poland stuck inside their own half after some strong pressing from the Welsh forward line.
A long throw from Connor Roberts is flicked on by Kieffer Moore but there aren’t any of his teammates in the vicinity to collect the loose ball.
Wales 0-0 Poland
9 mins: Neco Williams darts inside from the left and delivers a fine cross into the box aiming for Kieffer Moore. Jan Bednarek leaps in front of the forward and nods the ball away.
It comes up to Robert Lewandowski who goes down on the halfway line looking for a free kick. The referee lets play go on as Wales collect the ball.
The home fans give Lewandowski a chorus of boos for his theatrics.
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