Wales head to the World Cup for the first time in 64 years after beating war-torn Ukraine in Cardiff yesterday.
Wales took the lead after Gareth Bale’s free-kick from 25 yards out flashed across the goal and was headed in by Ukraine captain Andriy Yarmolenko for an own goal.
Wales will head to Qatar in Group B and will face England, the United States, and Iran to keep their hopes of lifting the World Cup alive.
Ukraine handily defeated Scotland on Wednesday to advance to the playoff in Wales, and for long stretches of the first half, it appeared as though they’d also take control of Sunday’s match. Instead, the Ukrainian possession and shot advantage amounted to little and it was Wales who opened the scoring off a Gareth Bale free-kick that was deflected into the net by Yarmolenko, who was attempted to head the ball clear but instead nodded it past goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan in the 34th minute.
The goal lifted the Welsh side, but Ukraine continued on the front foot through the remainder of the half and had a penalty shout denied moments before halftime.
Wales came out stronger in the second half, forcing a couple of good saves out of Bushchan and hitting the post, but it was Wayne Hennessey who was the far busier of the two goalkeepers as Ukraine pressed forward in search of an equalizer.
However, despite creating 22 shots (nine on target) and enjoying an overwhelming possession advantage, the Ukrainians couldn’t solve a stubborn Welsh defence that collapsed into its own half for most of the final 20 minutes.
As such, Yarmolenko’s own goal stood as the only marker of the match, propelling Wales into the World Cup for the first time this century.