In the end, there can only be one.
The European play-off final for the next World Cup delivered its implacable verdict this Sunday.
Thanks to a goal from Gareth Bale, its captain, in the first period (hijacked by Yarmolenko), Wales will see the next World Cup in Qatar (November 21 - December 18) in the same group as England, Iran and United States.
Ukraine, which undoubtedly deserved better, will not be there.
Cruel.
The beautiful story of the Zbirna, the nickname of the Ukrainian selection, therefore ended at the Cardiff City Stadium, packed for the occasion.
A sad end to the journey for this fine team which, since February, has had to face the terrible events that are shaking the country.
Oleksandr Petrakov's men, 2nd in their group behind France in qualifying before the Russian invasion, had prepared for their semi-final last Wednesday in Scotland under special conditions.
Their victory (3-1) in Glasgow on Wednesday evening had everything to launch them on the royal road.
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— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 5, 2022
A man decided otherwise.
At 32, Gareth Bale has never played in the final phase of the World Cup.
Asked before the final, the captain of the Dragons had been clear.
Although obviously sensitive to the situation in Ukraine, he would have no qualms when facing this opponent: “Will we be the most unpopular team in the world if we eliminate Ukraine?
It doesn't matter, we will be the most popular team in the Cardiff stadium, that's all that matters.
We know that horrible things are happening in Ukraine.
Our hearts are with the children and families there.
But the only issue will be football.
Sixty-four years later
So when the future ex-Real Madrid player, who had already delivered an entire country at the end of March against Austria, inherits an off-centre free kick, there is no question.
Andriy Yarmolenko, who will leave West Ham, deflects the shot into his own goal (34th).
The Ukrainian players, who had until then dominated the debates without succeeding in deceiving the vigilance of Wayne Hennessey, heroic, continue to besiege the Welsh goal.
After that of 2006, they absolutely want to offer a second participation to a whole people, as well as to all those who want some form of justice, Russia being deprived of the winter trip to Qatar.
The Welsh chants, as for rugby, fill the stands while the opportunities follow one another for Mancunian Oleksandr Zinchenko and his teammates.
Bale misses the break (75th), Yarmolenko his recovery in the action that follows.
Hennessey continues its festival on its line and Wales puts an end to 64 years of absence in the biggest competition on the planet.
And Ukraine is crying.
