Gareth Bale’s deflected free-kick was the distinction in an in depth match on Sunday on the Cardiff City Stadium
Wales defeated Ukraine 1-0 on Sunday in a play-off to succeed in their first World Cup since 1958, and a joyous Gareth Bale mentioned afterwards that he would probably put any doable retirement plans on hold due to the end result.
Bale’s first-half free kick that deflected off Andriy Yarmolenko for an personal purpose proved to be the distinction within the match.
It was heartbreak for the Ukrainians, who’ve performed at a time their nation is beneath Russian navy invasion.
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What occurred within the match?
There had been scenes of euphoria on the Cardiff City Stadium after Wales secured their berth within the upcoming 2022 World Cup. This will probably be simply their second look within the marquee world occasion after 1958.
It was in opposition to the run of play that Wales took the lead after the half-hour mark. A mistimed problem from Vitaliy Mykolenko introduced down Daniel James in a harmful space just a few yards exterior the penalty field. Bale tried his luck with a free kick and Yarmolenko tried to clear the ball solely to see it deflected it into the web.
Ukraine had a Fortieth-minute penalty shout waved away earlier than Wales took management within the second half, with Aaron Ramsey and Bale simply lacking possibilities to increase the benefit.
Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessy made a number of late saves to stop an equaliser.
The nation will now head to Qatar in Group B with the United States, England and Iran.
How did Wales react to the end result?
“The result is the greatest in Welsh football history,” Bale informed Sky Sports. “We’re going to a World Cup!
“It means every thing, what goals are product of, we have been working in direction of it since I first got here in right here.
“Words can’t describe how we feel at the moment.”
On whether or not doable retirement plans can be put on hold, he added: “Maybe for a little bit!”
“There was a lot of emotion in this game, but we stood up brilliantly,” defender Ben Davies mentioned to Sky Sports. “Every problem they threw at us we dealt with.
“It’s unimaginable, a dream come true, as a squad we have labored so onerous for this.
“We may not have the most talented group but we give it everything we have got.”
Wales supervisor Rob Page informed Sky Sports: “I’m so happy with the fellows, they totally deserved it.
“The one factor these boys had been lacking was a World Cup and now we have there.
“These are the perfect supporters in world soccer, they helped us from the first minute.
“When you see what these guys do in training, I had full trust in them.”
