Wales have qualified for their first World Cup final since 1958 after beating Ukraine 1-0 at Cardiff City Stadium.
In a rain-soaked play-off final in the Welsh capital, Ukrainian captain Andriy Yarmolenko headed in his own net in the 34th minute as he tried to block a Gareth Bale foul.
Wales had goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to thank for his clean goal as he made nine stops to deny the visitors.
The result means that Robert Page’s men will enter Group B for the tournament, which will begin in Qatar in November, along with England, the United States and Iran.
Image: Gareth Bale’s free kick was deflected into the net
Bale said the result was “what dreams are made of.”
He told Sky Sports: “The result is the biggest result in the history of Welsh football. We are ecstatic: we are going to a World Cup.
“I’m speechless. We’re very happy. We did it for all our amazing fans and words can’t describe how I feel right now.”
Bale, who has suffered a spasm in his back, said it was “difficult to get over the game”.
Asked if he is now postponing talking about his retirement, he replied: “For a while.”
Midfielder Aaron Ramsey commented: “The little Wales in a World Cup, eh?”
He added: “Getting to three big tournaments now, to end with a World Cup, that’s another thing.”
Wales defender Ben Davies said there was “a lot of excitement in the game; sometimes it was frantic, but we faced it”.
Page said he was “amazing” and was “so proud” of his team.
Image: For some fans in Ukraine, the emotions were very high
It was an emotional occasion for the Ukrainian fans who saw their team away from home, where the war against Russia continues.
They wrapped themselves in the flag of their nation, seeking hope in dark times.
Arriving at the game, they were able to gain confidence with Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Scotland at Hampden Park.
Despite having some decent chances, however, they have not been able to find the net.
Midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko, who plays for his club’s football with Manchester City, said that Ukraine “has left everything on the pitch”.
He added: “The Welsh goalkeeper made it amazing, he is definitely the man of the match.
“Overall I don’t think we deserved to lose, but this is football, it happens.”
Referring to the conflict, he said: “As footballers we must represent our country as best we can. Everyone must live in peace and we must stop the war altogether.”
“It was absolutely amazing”
The tension of biting his nails and torrential rain were on an equal footing at Cardiff City Stadium, but in the end, Wales held on to offer fans something most people had never seen in their lives.
When the final whistle sounded and people started pouring, it was a mixture of commotion and celebration. After a 64-year wait, Wales will be on the biggest football stage: the World Cup.
“What a time to be alive!” shouted a fan.
Another Brian, who was in Wales’ last World Cup qualifier in 1958, said he was “excited”.
He added: “It was absolutely amazing. Everyone is very happy. I’m a little sorry for Ukraine, but this is the game of football.”
Ukrainians, running cars, taxis and buses, used their country’s flag to protect themselves from the rain.
Katerina and her 13-year-old son fled the war eight weeks ago and now live with a family in Cardiff.
“We couldn’t be more disappointed, but we love Wales,” he said. “We have lived here for two months and we have so much support here that we have decided that in the next championship we will support Wales.”
Speaking in recent months, he said: “Emotionally, it has been very difficult, but I know that for me, as the mother of my 13-year-old son, it was the right decision. I am happy to be here and safe.”
I asked her if she was proud of the players in her country, despite the result.
“We love them,” he said. “We don’t care how they played. We love them.”
Katerina’s feelings were echoed by Welsh fans, who were keenly aware of what her opposition is experiencing off the pitch.
“Whatever happened, they almost deserve to be there without this tie,” one said. “But to be fair to Wales, we have fought hard and hard: 64 years.”
“Some parts of the party … it was hard to sit down and watch, but my God, it was tense, but absolutely amazing,” another told me.
Many Welsh fans who have longed for this glory are doing another search: flights to Qatar.
“I need a new mortgage!” he joked.