Wales Book Place in 2022 World Cup After Hard Fought Win Over Ukraine

• Wales vs Ukraine World Cup play-off final ended in a 1-0 win for the Dragons on Sunday, June 5
• Andriy Yarmolenko’s own goal was all Wales needed to secure the win as they qualified for their first World Cup since 1958
• Rob Page's men will now be joining England, Iran, and the United States in Group B of the World cup in Qatar

Wales have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

The Dragons booked a place in the 2022 edition of the global football tournament after seeing off Ukraine in an epic World Cup final play-off played at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, June 5.

The two teams set up a date against each other after they won their respective semi-final play-off fixtures.

Ukraine had to get past Scotland on Wednesday, June 1, to make it to the final, with Wales earlier on edging Austria to take a huge step towards qualifying for the tournament.

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How Wales sunk Ukraine in Cardiff City

Fresh from their midweek defeat against Poland during the UEFA Nations League, Wales regrouped for what was easily their biggest game in history.

The country's head coach, Rob Page, used the occasion to unleash his ammunition by parading a strong side against Ukraine.

Page started Ethan Ampadu, Aaron Ramsey, and Gareth Bale after resting them during his side's trip to Poland.

Ukraine were the better side in the early exchanges of the match as they kept Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey busy in the opening half.

However, the hosts were the lucky side as they grabbed the lead in the 34th minute after Yarmolenko headed the ball into his own net from Bale's freekick.

Aaron Ramsey had a great chance to double Wales’ lead after the break before Neco Williams also went close when his effort struck the post.

The home side had Hennessey to thank in the closing stages of the match again as he pulled off a fine one-handed save from substitute Artem Dovbyk’s powerful header.

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Wales eventually held firm to claim a vital win which saw them book a place in the World Cup finals.

Germany, Italy share spoils in Nations League clash

Earlier, Sports Brief teenager Degnand Gnonto came off the bench to mark his Italy debut with a wonderful assist.

Joshua Kimmich pulled one back for Germany a few moments later as both sides began their campaigns with a single point.

Italy will now shift their focus to Hungary who were shock winners over England as Germany prepares to host the Euro 2020 runners up.