Wales 1-0 Ukraine: Andriy Yarmolenko own goal gifts Wales route to first World Cup in 64 years
Wales 1-0 Ukraine in the FIFA World Cup Play-Off Final at the Cardiff City Stadium on June 5, 2022. Credit: Will Cheshire
Wales qualified for the World Cup for just the second time in their history as they beat Ukraine 1-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
An own-goal from Ukrainian captain Andriy Yarmolenko from Gareth Bale’s free-kick was the difference between the two sides.
Ukraine dominated possession and created a handful of chances, but Wayne Hennessey put in a man-of-the-match performance to earn a clean sheet and win the man-of-the-match award.
Wales received two early yellows in the opening two minutes as Joe Allen fouled Taras Stepanenko and Daniel James was also booked for an argument with the referee.
A flurry of Ukraine chances then came with Hennessey tested on multiple occasions in the opening 15 minutes.
Victor Tsyhangov the Dynamo Kyiv winger struck an effort at the 102-capped keeper and forced a stop to prevent the away side from taking the lead.
The Ukrainian winger was at it again as he delivered a deflected cross that Hennessey had to catch to prevent the away side to take the lead.
Roman Yaremchuk was one on one with Hennessey as he was played onside by Ethan Ampadu as the Benfica forward hit his effort wide.
Oleksandr Karavayev had his effort blocked by Ben Davies as Hennessey had to scoop up to collect as Ukraine kept on piling the pressure.
Ukraine continued to dominate as Zinchenko has his effort stopped by Wayne Hennessey as the Burnley number two made a brilliant stop to deny an excellent opportunity for Ukraine from Yaremchuk as he paved the ball away from five yards out.
Vitaliy Mykolenko was given a yellow card for elbowing Daniel James at the halfway line. Daniel James was involved with another free-kick as Ruslan Malinovskyi fouled Daniel James from 25 yards out.
Gareth Bale stepped up as the stadium erupted following a header from the Ukrainian captain Yaramelenko who converted past his keeper Heorhiy Bushchan.
Wales took the lead as the roar from the stadium could be matched by everyone in the country as the home side took an unexpected lead.
Moments later the crowd turned silent as Allen looked to have appeared to foul Yarmolenko as the referee waved away the claims. VAR looked at the decision but waved away the claims.
The second half started with a chance from Aaron Ramsey as Kieffer Moore played through Ramsey who struck his effort past the post.
Daniel James was a player being constantly fouled throughout the game as Rob Page showed his anger towards the referee as he was given a yellow card.
Tsyganov had an excellent opportunity to grab the sides level as Wayne Hennessey was at it again as he stuck his leg out to prevent the forward to equalize. Roman Yaremchuk had a rebounded effort that he shot wide as Ukraine continued to threaten the Welsh goal.
Yaramalenko was then one on one as Davies made a heroic last-ditch tackle as Wales maintained their lead heading into the last half an hour.
Wales escaped from one end as they nearly achieved jubilation down the other as Daniel James had his effort tipped over the crossbar from a Ramsey pass.
Malinovskyi the Atalanta attacking midfielder had an effort go inches wide from 25 yards out as every Wales fan went silent following the effort.
Joe Allen had lost the ball in a dangerous area as Davies had to intercept a Ukrainian player in the penalty area as Wales was looking shaky in the defence.
Following his explosive runs and situations to receive a second yellow Daniel James had to come off as Brennan Johnson replaced the Leeds winger.
Johnson nearly made an instant impact as he had a powerful volleyed effort hit the woodwork, Moments later Gareth Bale was left all alone as he had his effort stopped by the keeper who denied Wales a needed second goal.
Davies and Hennessy continued to be unstoppable forces for Wales as Davies made a game-changing block as Hennessy made another fine stop to deny Ukraine.
Bale came off with seven minutes to go as he was replaced by Harry Wilson as the all-time Wales top scorer who received a round of applause following his contribution to the goal.
Seconds later, Hennessey made a world-class save to prevent a powerful Artem Dovbyk header from seven yards out.
Chances kept coming and coming for Ukraine as Neco Williams was needed to make a block to prevent with only a few seconds left in the game, Oleksandr Zinchenko fouled Ethan Ampadu with the whole stadium knowing what was going to happen after the free-kick.
After the set-piece was hit to the other end of the pitch, the ref put the whistle into his mouth as Wales qualify for the World Cup after 64 years.
After countless heartbreaks for the national side, they have made it to Qatar. In their group, they will play Iran, the USA, and a home nation battle with England.
Wales: Hennessey; Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies; C Roberts, Allen, Ramsey, N Williams (Norrington-Davies 90+2 ), Bale (C) , (Wilson 83), Moore, James (Johnson 71).
Subs: Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Chris Gunter, Chris Mepham, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams, Mark Harris, Sorba Thomas, Rabbi Matondo , Brennan Johnson , Harry Wilson
Goal: Yarmolenko OG 34
Yellow cards: Allen 2, James 2
Ukraine: Bushchan; Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Yarmolenko (C), Malinovskyi (Shaparenko 70), Stepanenko (Sydorchuk 70), Zinchenko, Tsygankov; Yaremchuk.
Subs not used: Pyatov, Riznyk, Sobol, Bondar, Syrota, Dovbyk, Mudryk, Pikhalonok, Kacharaba, Zubkov , Serhiy Sydorchuk
Yellow cards: Mykolenko 32, Mudryk 90+3
