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
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Serious quality
Whilst the main focus of people's attention on Ukraine is related to the war, the quality of their squad should not be forgotten.
They have serious players in their ranks, with the likes of Zinchenko, Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi and so many more who are capable of the extraordinary.
Zinchenko has been an impeccable player for Man City and Ukraine this season.Credit: Getty More than football
Today is a huge occasion that cannot be understated, and Bill Shankly's famous quote has never rang so true.
"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."
Ukraine substitutes
Zubkov, Pyatov, Sydorchuk, Riznyk, Dovbyk, Shaparenko, Sobol, Mudryk, Bondar, Kacharaba, Pikhalyonok, Syrota.
Ukraine Starting XI
Bushchan, Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko, Stepanenko, Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi, Zinchenko, Tsygankov, Yaremchuk.
64 Years of hurt
Wales have not appeared at the World Cup since 1958, when a 17-year-old Pele scored to knock them out in the quarter-finals.
Yes, Pele was 17.
The Welsh people had to wait until EURO 2016 to reach another international tournament, in which they impressively reached the Semi-Finals, and lost to eventual winners Portugal.
Pele was a formidable opponent, not just for Wales.Credit: Getty Wales substitutes
Ward, Davies, Gunter, Mepham, Wilson, Johnson, Morrell, Norrington-Davies, Williams, Harris, Thomas, Matondo.
Wales Starting XI - Bale starts
Hennessey, Ampadu, Rodon, Davies, Roberts, Allen, Ramsey, Williams, James, Bale, Moore.
Written in the stars?
Today Ukraine will be aiming to slay the Welsh dragon in this play-off final, and they will have the world of football cheering them on.
After what they have been through this year, it would be poetic for them to secure their place in the World Cup.
They definitely have a talented enough squad to be a part of the competition, and showed their class in their recent 3-1 win against Scotland.
Wales, however, have a great squad of their own, and it is impossible to write off Gareth Bale and his heroics.
A Ukraine supporter holds a flag bearing the name of his war-torn home city.Credit: Alamy Welcome to Wales vs Ukraine!
Good evening and welcome to SunSport’s coverage of Wales vs Ukraine.
This is a World Cup play-off final game, so the victors will secure their place in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
We are set to see some exceptional talent on display, as these two sides have some greats at their disposal.
It is set to be a cracker, as there is so much on the line for these two.