Wales 1 Ukraine 0 LIVE REACTION: Bale’s heavily deflected effort FIRES Dragons to first World Cup in 64 years – updates
WALES shattered Ukrainian dreams as Gareth Bale's deflected effort was enough for the Dragons to book their place in the winter World Cup.
Ukraine were hoping to finally bring some joy to their war torn nation after what has been a treacherous time.
But the Eastern European giants were outdone by Andriy Yarmolenko's own goal which means that Wales will participate in their first World Cup since 1958.
- RESULT: Wales 1-0 Ukraine
- TV/Live stream: /
- Wales XI: Hennessey; Roberts, Davies, Rodon, Williams; Ampadu, Ramsey, Allen, James; Moore, Bale
- Ukraine XI: Bushchan; Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko; Stephanenko; Yarmolenko, Malinovyski, Zinchenko, Tsygankov; Yaremchuk
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below...
Rapid Dan James
39. Dan James skins Karavaev on the right hand side but eventually loses the ball.
Ukraine counter with Zinchenko and he forces a save from Hennessey again.
Ukraine out for revenge
37. They need to get back into the game now, but they give away another free kick, this one is surely too far out for a Bale special.
He lofts it into the box, but it only results in a Ukraine goal kick.
It's what he does!
34. Bale smashes a free kick towards the Ukraine goal, and Yarmolenko gets his head to attempt to clear.
The Ukrainian winger gets it all wrong and deflects it into his own net, 1-0 to Wales!
Goal! Gareth Bale (Wales)
Free kick Wales
33. Bale has a chance with a free kick here, we know how deadly he can be from here.
Wales almost caught out!
30. There have been a few chances for Ukraine here, Yarmolenko put in a great cross that was well cleared by Wales, but Ukraine came straight back at them with Zinchenko who lashed a shot at Hennessey.
Wales excellent defensively
28. Their defensive position today has been exceptional, there is minimal space between the defense and midfield in transition.
That is where Ukraine really took advantage of Scotland.
Ukraine trying to take control
26. Ukraine are having a good spell of possession here, and their fans are reacting accordingly.
Great cross by Ramsey, missed!
24. Ramsey puts in a wicked cross from the right hand side but it narrowly avoids Bale and Moore.
There are inches in that, but beautiful from the Rangers man.
Good chance Ukraine!
22. Karavaev does not get the right connection on a great cross from Tsygankov, he should do better but Hennessey does well to claim it.
Bale fires over
21. Wales hit the target man Kieffer Moore with a long ball, he knocks it down to Bale who fires a shot over from about 35 yards.
Maybe the miracles will come later for Gareth Bale MBE.
Ukraine free kick
18. A corner goes short to Aaron Ramsey who whips the ball in.
Bushchan comes for it and gets the punch all wrong, not for the first time today.
Wales will be looking to get more and more crosses in.
Bushchan goes down with what looks like a foot injury.
Putting possession together
16. Wales have held on to the ball in the Ukraine half really well here for a few minutes now.
They haven't got the ball in the box as of yet and eventually lose it to Ukraine who look to counter.
Looking for Moore
13. Wales have two great headers of the ball up front today, with Kieffer Moore in particular being a great target man.
Ampadu is searching for him from the back with a raking ball, but he cannot be found.
Wales aware of the Ukraine left
11. Ukraine's players are particularly deadly with their left foot, and Wales are doing their best to stop that where possible.
Yaremchuk gets through Ampadu and forces a good save out of Wayne Hennessey.
Williams looks lively
8. That was excellent from the Liverpool full back, he spun the Ukrainian right back and got on his right foot for a snap shot.
Just wide.
Ukraine counter attack and Tsygankov has a shot that results in a corner.
Wales sustaining attacks
6. Wales are coming forwards a bit now, a few gorgeous touches from Gareth Bale, and a long shot from Ben Davies wins them a corner which results in a goal kick for Ukraine.
Disallowed goal!
4. The free-kick that resulted from Joe Allen's foul was smashed in by Zinchenko, but disallowed for being taken too quickly.
The retaken free kick is caught by Hennessey.
0-0.
Bright start for Ukraine
2. Ukraine have been on top of possession in the first few minutes.
Joe Allen receives a yellow card for an early foul.
Ukraine in the rain
0. The rain is pouring in Wales as it always does, and the referee (Who refereed Chelsea's UCL Final against Manchester City) gets us underway in Wales this afternoon!
The players are out
The players have taken the field, there is a sign of peace on the floor as everyone in the ground shows solidarity with the Ukrainian national side and the country as a whole.
The national anthems are being sung, and then we will have kick off with you in just a few minutes.
TEN minute warning
We have just 10 minutes before kick-off in this one, so grab some snacks and a drink, and settle in for a spectacular evening of football.
The stadium is rocking here in Wales.
Have YOUR say.
Gareth the GOAT
Wales have had some exceptional players down the years.
Giggs, Rush, Speed and so many more feature among their legends.
But none of them come close to Gareth Bale, he is a devastatingly good attacker, who has an eye for goal, and a big goal at that.
He scored two huge goals in the Semi-Final against Austria, including a stunning free kick, which was just a glimpse of his class.
Bale's incredible free kick against Austria.Credit: Getty Zinner in an attacking role
It is well known amongst Manchester City players that Olexandr Zinchenko is one of the most technically gifted in their side.
Whilst we are used to seeing him play in the left-back position for the Cityzens, he is deployed in an attacking midfield role for his national side.
This is a position that he excels in, with his dynamism and technical ability crucial to the Ukrainians successes.