Wales miss out on Euro 2024 after penalty shootout defeat

Poland win Euro playoff eliminator in Cardiff; Ukraine also book spot after win over Iceland

Wales agonisingly missed out on qualification for Euro 2024 as they suffered a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat in their playoff final against Poland on a night of crushing disappointment in Cardiff on Tuesday.

Poland were joined by Ukraine and Georgia after winning their respective playoff matcheson Tuesday.

In what was a first shootout for Wales’ men in a competitive match, Daniel James missed the only spot-kick - saved by Wojciech Szczesny - while Poland converted all five. It was a desperately painful way for Robert Page and his players to lose, beaten by a Poland side who failed to register a single shot on target during the entire 120 minutes before the shootout.

Robert Lewandowski’s side can now look forward to joining France, Netherlands and Austria in Group D at this summer’s Euros in Germany.

In a tentative first half gripped by nerves, Wales captain Ben Davies had a goal disallowed as he headed in from an offside position.

Chances were still a precious commodity after the break, with

Kieffer Moore’s header forcing Szczesny into a fine save while Poland’s fearsome striker Lewandowski was limited to a diving header which he sent over the crossbar.

The tension only increased in extra time as Jakub Piotrowski came within inches of an opener with a fabulous curling long-range shot.

Exhausted in the second half of extra time, Wales had to defend resolutely in the face of heavy Polish pressure.

Wales centre-back Chris Mepham

was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the final minute of extra time, but Page’s side held on for penalties.

However, Poland converted all five of their spot-kicks before Leeds United winger James saw his saved by Juventus keeper Szczesny to break Welsh hearts.

Ukraine beat Iceland 2-1

Ukraine will compete in the finals of a major tournament for the first time since being invaded by Russia

after Mykhailo Mudryk’s winner in their Euro 2024 playoff final against Iceland.

Ukraine trailed 1-0 at halftime after Albert Gudmundsson put Iceland ahead with a superb strike. But Serhiy Rebrov’s side came back from behind in the second half, levelling through Viktor Tsygankov, before Chelsea forward Mudryk’s late winner.

Ukraine will go into Group E at the Euro 2024 finals, alongside Belgium, Slovakia and Romania.

“I’m very proud to be Ukrainian, to be of the same blood as those who are now giving their lives for our freedom,” said Ukraine captain Oleksandr Zinchenko.

“We need to talk about it, shout about it every day. This is the only way we can win. It was one of our most emotional games.”

Before the game, Rebrov said qualifying for the tournament would bring “a bit of happiness” for Ukrainians as the nation continues to be at war with Russia.