Ukraine refused in the most cruel way possible, as the dream of the war-torn country of the World Cup was crushed at the last hurdle.
Gareth Bale led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958, as Ukraine’s dreams of lifting a war-torn country were cruelly denied by a 1-0 defeat. in Cardiff on Monday (AEST).
Bale’s free kick, which Ukrainian captain Andriy Yarmolenko has turned into his own net, separated the teams despite the fact that the visitors dominated the match in humid conditions at Cardiff City Stadium.
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Ukraine made a nation proud to beat Scotland 3-1 on Wednesday in their first competitive clash since the invasion of Russia.
Oleksandr Petrakov’s men deserve much more than another performance of exceptional composition under the strain of carrying the hopes of a people devastated by Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian national anthem was applauded on all sides of the stadium before the match and, as with their week-long trip to Scotland, the visitors were inspired rather than inhibited by the pressure on them.
However, they were made to pay an exceptionally high price for not taking risks and a moment of misfortune.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was caught napping as Manchester City lifted a ball over him following a free kick, but the ball hit the bar, rebounding into the keeper’s arms.
Hennessey were given a gift! The ref dubiously awarded them a penalty 27 minutes into the match, which was neatly put away by Viktor Tsygankov.
Wales had barely threatened the Ukrainian goal, but Bale has a star capable of changing the course of matches in an instant.
The 32-year-old has no club, having dropped the nine-year-old’s curtain at Real Madrid by winning his fifth Champions League medal last weekend.
Bale has reserved the best for international service in recent years and will now have the opportunity to add a World Cup to a glorious career.
His shot came in from the right hand side but Yarmolenko managed to save it with an unbelievable reaction stop.
Ukraine refused to let the ball get in the back of the net and put Yarmolenko in a cross.
The pattern continued in the second half as Rob Page’s men were trapped inside their own half.
But there was an idea to it – the misdirected ball was turned into a cross towards Aaron Ramsey, who was waiting for it in the box. That’s 1 – 0!
At the other end, chances kept coming and going, as Tsygkanov’s effort was saved by Hennessey before Yaremchuk went off the rebound.
Ben Davies ’latest challenge prevented Yarmolenko from pulling out the redemption.
Ukraine’s day came to a close five minutes later, when Hennessey made an incredible stop to prevent substitute Artem Dovbyk’s header from hitting the top corner.
But Wales are now unbeaten in 19 home games dating back almost four years for one reason, as most of the 33,000 spectators roared at home.
The last time Wales took part in a World Cup, they were eliminated by a goal from Brazil by 17-year-old Pelé in the quarter-finals.
This generation of Welsh players achieved what seemed impossible by reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in their first major tournament in 58 years.
They have now once again been written into the history books when they have a chance to face England, the US and Iran in Qatar in November.