An Andriy Yarmolenko own goal broke Ukraine‘s hearts and sent Wales to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as they lost 1-0 in the playoff on Sunday.
Ukraine had several chances to level the scoring or even put themselves ahead of Wales but it was a deflected Gareth Bale free kick which saw them fall out of the competition and into their first World Cup in 64 years.
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Dan James won a free kick for Wales 25 yards out and Bale stepped up to take it on 34 minues. He whipped in the ball and it was headed in by Ukraine captain Yarmolenko.
Oleksandr Zinchenko had the ball in the net early in the first half from a free kick but the referee called play back as he deemed Zinchenko had taken the kick too quickly.
Ukraine were unfortunate not to earn a penalty on 40 minutes when Yarmolenko went down under a heavy challenge from Joe Allen but VAR waved away the foul.
Wayne Hennessey made a fine save late in the second half to ensure that Artem Dovbyk‘s header stayed out.
Wales will join England, Iran and the United States in Group B for the World Cup which starts on Nov. 21 and runs until Dec. 18.