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Wales have been left heartbroken as their hopes of qualification for Euro 2024 have been crushed by a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to Poland in Cardiff on Tuesday night time.
Rob Web page’s aspect had thumped Finland 4-1 of their qualifying play-off semi-final final Thursday and battled admirably on the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium, limiting Robert Lewandowski and Co to only one shot heading in the right direction by the preliminary 90 minutes and extra-time and having an effort of their very own dominated out by VAR.
They have been lowered to 10 males seconds earlier than the sport’s finale, when Chris Mepham was proven a second yellow card for a lunge on Lewandowski.
After 4 good penalties from both sides, Krzysztof Piatek scored Poland’s fifth, which left Leeds ahead James with the duty of scoring to take the shoot-out to sudden loss of life.
However former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny guessed appropriately and dived to maintain out James’ effort, leaving the hordes of Welsh followers contained in the stadium shellshocked after their aspect missed out on a 3rd consecutive European Championship marketing campaign.
Poland will face the Netherlands, Austria and France in Group D on this summer season’s event in Germany, with their opener in opposition to the Dutch in Hamburg at 3pm on Sunday June 16.
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A deflated Robert Earnshaw displays on an intense recreation after Wales misplaced on penalties to Poland, guaranteeing they missed out on qualification for Euro 2024.
How Wales have been cruelly denied one other main event look
The sheer depth of the Welsh gamers’ and followers’ rendition of the anthem ‘Land of My Fathers’ within the moments earlier than kick-off confirmed they have been prepared for battle. Following the emphatic trend through which they reached the ultimate, that they had nothing to worry.
Like many play-off finals at home or worldwide degree, as anticipated possibilities got here at a premium and neither workforce managed a shot heading in the right direction in a closely-fought first half. Errors in video games the place the stakes are as excessive as this may ailing be afforded.
Ben Davies was denied an opener for Wales after a speedy VAR evaluation
Proper on the stroke of half-time, although, Wales had the ball within the web. Moore’s flick on a throw discovered Davies, who buried a header previous Szczesny. Jubilant celebrations have been rapidly halted by an offside flag and an equally speedy VAR evaluation, which upheld the choice.
To an extent, it appeared as if that likelihood gave the hosts perception and a slight psychological benefit, given the best way they got here out within the second half. And, had it not been for a surprising diving save from Szczesny to maintain out Moore’s looping header, they might have been in entrance.
In reality, neither aspect ever actually then regarded like forcing the winner that may have prevented extra-time. Stifled by the sensible Wales defence, not even the irrepressible Lewandowski may discover a approach by.
Szczesny celebrates after saving James’ penalty to seal Poland’s place at Euro 2024
Moore felt he had a case for a penalty deep into stoppage-time, gesturing to Daniele Orsato that he had been pushed by Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, however the referee didn’t agree, and his theatrical fall most likely didn’t assist his trigger.
Jakub Piotrowski had the very best likelihood of the primary half of extra-time, lacking the top-right nook by a lick of paint after a swift break from the Poles, with Moore passing up one other likelihood when he invited Kiwior to dam his shot after dallying for too lengthy.
Within the ultimate moments of extra-time, Mepham’s second reserving for a late sort out on Lewandowski left Wales with simply 10 choices heading into the shoot-out.
Wales received the toss and opted for the penalties to be taken in entrance of the Pink Wall. Davies, Moore, Wilson and Neco Williams all discovered the online, however James couldn’t.
Web page: There are good occasions forward for this Wales squad
Wales supervisor Rob Web page to S4C:
“It is a merciless recreation. That is what I’ve stated to the gamers. One kick away from qualifying and it hurts.
“We have been the higher workforce. First half, my message was: we have been the higher workforce and I stated we are going to go on to win this recreation. Brooksy got here on, We needed to take him off. He hadn’t skilled for 2 days with sickness and we wanted contemporary legs.
“I stated to the group in there, have a look at how far we now have come and we have not certified for a significant event. There’s one thing good taking place with this group. Ben (Davies) stated it on the pitch, I stated it to the group. Credit score to DJ, the braveness to take that kick. I’m so pleased with that group.
“The nation must be pleased with the gamers. They’ve put a shift and a few to attempt to get us there. We shall be higher and stronger having gone by this horrible, horrible expertise.
“I’ve stated to the group: we’re going someplace, this group goes someplace. They’re so disillusioned in there, we have been hungry for it. We have been so shut, one kick from qualifying. So there’s much more to come back. Quite a lot of good occasions forward.”
What’s next for Wales?
Having missed out on a spot at Euro 2024, Wales face just one extra recreation between now and September, within the form of a visit to Slovakia on June 9.
They then face Turkey on September 6 and Montenegro on September 9, when the Nations League will get underneath approach.
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