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Gareth Bale (right) prepared the Ukrainians' own goal
Photo: REBECCA NADEN / REUTERS
The national football team of Ukraine has dramatically failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
In Cardiff, coach Oleksandr Petrakow's side had more of the ball and much better chances than hosts Wales, but were repeatedly denied by Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Because then captain Andriy Jarmolenko headed a free kick from Wales' superstar Gareth Bale into his own goal (34th minute), the playoff final was lost 0:1 (0:1).
Due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the playoff games had been moved from March to June. In the semi-finals, the Ukrainian team had defeated the Scots 3-1 in Glasgow with almost no preparation.
There were also chances for another coup against the next British selection in Cardiff: A supposed free kick by Oleksandr Zinchenko didn't count because the ball wasn't released (4'), Roman Yaremchuk failed with a low shot at Hennessey (12'). .
Ukraine were the superior team in terms of play, but then gave away a free-kick – Bale's sharp cross deflected Jarmolenko to make it 0-1, which in no way corresponded to the course of the game (34').
No penalty and always Hennessey
Wales were then lucky that the video assistant did not correct referee Matéu Lahoz's decision not to award a penalty after Joe Allen kicked Yamolenko (40').
Even without the possible penalty, Ukraine kept creating chances, but also had to fend off the Welsh counterattack: Shortly after the break, Aaron Ramsey missed the possible 2-0 with an imprecise shot (49th).
Then Hennessey surpassed himself: Wales' goalkeeper reacted outstandingly against Wiktor Zyhankow (56th), intercepted crosses, saved shot after shot and saved his team's World Cup qualification with an outstanding reflex against substitute Artem Dowbyk (84th). .
This is Wales' first World Cup appearance since 1958.
In Group B, the Welsh meet England in a British duel, the other opponents are Iran and the USA.
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