Wales vs Ukraine LIVE: World Cup play-off final result as Welsh book spot at Qatar 2022
Wales earned their place at a World Cup for the first time since 1958
Wales ended their 64-year wait for a place in the World Cup finals as they beat Ukraine 1-0 on Sunday to end the war-torn nation’s hopes of reaching Qatar.
An own goal from Ukraine winger Andriy Yarmolenko, who headed a Gareth Bale free-kick into his own net, decided the contest.
Despite the loud and passionate atmosphere, Ukraine were on top from the outset and Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey was busy in the opening half making three vital saves to keep the score level.
It was against the run of play then when Wales grabbed the lead in the 34th minute, Bale fired a low free-kick from 25 metres out and Yarmolenko’s stooping, attempted header clear, flew into the net past the helpless Georgiy Bushchan.
Aaron Ramsey missed a great chance to double Wales’ lead after the break, side-footing wide from a great position and then Neco Williams drilled a well-struck shot against the post.
But Wales, who last appeared in the World Cup finals in 1958. had Henessey to thank again as he pulled off a fine one-handed save from substitute Artem Dovbyk’s powerful header, six minutes from the end.
Wales 0-0 Ukraine
4 min: Wales finally start to get their collective foot on the ball and sustain an attack in the Ukrainian half. They win a corner which is well punched clear by Bushchan in goal.
Wales 0-0 Ukraine
2 min: A terrible start for Wales here – Allen is booked for a lunge after losing control in his own half, and James is also shown yellow for arguing. Pointless by both. Zinchenko then scores with a quickly taken free-kick but the referee is not happy with that and calls play back, it was taken too quickly. Hennessey saves the second attempt.
Wales 0-0 Ukraine
1 min: Wales look set up in a 3-4-3 here with Bale and James either side of Moore. That means Aaron Ramsey will need to tuck in tightly alongside Joe Allen in midfield and play a more conservative role.
Kick-off! Wales vs Ukraine
And Ukraine are quickly on the attack. It’s a high-tempo start in the Welsh rain.
Wales vs Ukraine
Both anthems are sung with bucketfuls of pride and passion. The atmosphere is extraordinary in Cardiff tonight. “If there was a World Cup for singing, Wales would be favourites every time,” Martin Tyler says.
Wales vs Ukraine
Kick-off is right around the corner.
Manager Rob Page says: “Gareth Bale, 100 per cent fit, absolutely. Aaron Ramsey too. We had that great game in Poland for the younger players, it’s been a great week, and now we’re ready to go.”
Ukraine inspired by support from home
Ukraine players have a flag hanging in their dressing room signed by soldiers on the front line in the war at home.
Midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi says: “We think about them every day. I’m so happy to give a little positive emotion, a little bit of happiness, and I hope they do the job in our country and we try to do our job on the pitch. Something special, we will try.
“[We get] a lot of messages: ‘Guys, keep going, we’re so proud of you’.”
Rodon backs Bale to be at full speed as Wales aim to reach World Cup
Joe Rodon has backed Gareth Bale to be at full speed as Wales attempt to end a 64-year wait to play at the World Cup.
Bale heads into Sunday’s play-off decider against Ukraine in Cardiff having played just 30 minutes of football since scoring twice in the semi-final win over Austria on March 24.
The 32-year-old was a peripheral figure during his final season at Real Madrid, making seven appearances in an injury-hit campaign and scoring just once.
But Rodon, a Tottenham team-mate of Bale’s in the 2020-21 season when the Wales captain made a loan switch from Real, said: “Gareth has obviously been in the game way longer than me.
“He knows what he needs for his body and how he needs to keep himself ticking over and in condition for the games.”
Joe Rodon backs Gareth Bale to be at full speed as Wales aim to reach World Cup
The pair were Tottenham team-mates during the 2020-21 season.
Wales fans warned against pitch invasion at Ukraine World Cup play-off
Wales fans will face police action if they invade the pitch after Sunday’s World Cup play-off final against Ukraine.
Supporters have also been told not to bring pyrotechnics into the Cardiff City Stadium and risk arrest and a minimum three-year football banning order.
The warning from the Football Association of Wales comes after a spate of disorder towards the end of the season.
There were several post-match pitch invasions and a Nottingham Forest fan was jailed for 24 weeks after he attacked Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp.
“Cymru fans are award-winning and respected across Europe but depending on the situation at the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup play-off final; all spectators are politely requested to keep off the pitch,” the FAW said in a statement.
Wales fans warned against pitch invasion at Ukraine World Cup play-off
The Football Association of Wales warning comes after a spate of disorder towards the end of the season
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