Wales 1 Ukraine 0 LIVE REACTION: Bale’s heavily deflected effort FIRES Dragons to first World Cup in 64 years – updates
WALES shattered Ukrainian dreams as Gareth Bale's deflected effort was enough for the Dragons to book their place in the winter World Cup.
Ukraine were hoping to finally bring some joy to their war torn nation after what has been a treacherous time.
But the Eastern European giants were outdone by Andriy Yarmolenko's own goal which means that Wales will participate in their first World Cup since 1958.
- RESULT: Wales 1-0 Ukraine
- TV/Live stream: /
- Wales XI: Hennessey; Roberts, Davies, Rodon, Williams; Ampadu, Ramsey, Allen, James; Moore, Bale
- Ukraine XI: Bushchan; Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko; Stephanenko; Yarmolenko, Malinovyski, Zinchenko, Tsygankov; Yaremchuk
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Another attempt for Ukraine
87. It is another long shot from Ukraine and Mudryk, but it is another save from Hennessey.
Free kick to Wales
85. There is a free kick to Wales in Gareth Bale territory, but he has come off already.
It is Harry Wilson who will take this one.
Straight at the wall, but he gets a corner for his efforts.
What. A. Save.
83. What a save from Wayne Hennessey!
Dovbyk leaps highest to direct a header at goal, but it is a fantastic save from Wayne Hennessey to deny the Ukraine forward.
Here comes Harry Wilson
82. Harry Wilson comes on for Gareth Bale in this one, who gives the captains armband to Aaron Ramsey.
Wilson was crucial in Fulham's promotion charge, and is an excellent player in his own right.
Big miss Yarmolenko
78. It might just not be his day today, he diverted Bale's free kick into his own net, and just missed a huge chance in the box for Ukraine.
Two more Ukraine subs
77. It is those two who were excellent against Scotland, Artem Dobvyk comes on in replacement of Roman Yaremchuk.
Mykhailo Mudryk is the other attacking change, he replaces Viktor Tsygankov.
What a save!
75. Just after they hit the post Ramsey finds Bale on the right hand side of the box!
His shot is smashed low and hard to force a great save from Bushchan.
Off the post!
75. It is off the post from Brennan Johnson and Wales!
Another fired over
74. It is another long shot fired over by Ukraine and Shaparenko.
They were holding possession well, and then it goes down the drain.
Brennan Johnson enters the pitch
Brennan Johnson comes on in replacement for Dan James, the Nottingham Forest front man just gained promotion to the Premier League, and is on the verge of his first World Cup now too.
Johnson got promoted with Nottingham Forest this season.Credit: Alamy Ukraine substitutes
Mykola Shaparenko comes on for Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Serhiy Sydorchuk comes on in replacement of Taras Stepanenko.
No one in the box
69. Zinchenko receives a great ball on the right hand side, and plays the ball across the face of goal, but no one is there to tap it in.
The Manchester City man has a moan at his fellow forward players.
Malinovskyi comes close!
66. The Atalanta playmaker pulls the trigger from distance, but it is just wide of the right hand post.
Ukraine holding possession
65. Ukraine are very much having the most of the ball at the minute, but Wales look very dangerous on the break, much more than in the first half.
Close from Dan James!
62. Connor Roberts does really well down the right hand side, he beats his man and picks out Gareth Bale.
Bale finds Dan James, who strikes a volley at the Ukraine defender.
The ball loops up high and Bushchan has to tip it over the bar for a corner.
Ukraine looking to create
59. Ben Davies does brilliantly to clear the ball away from Yarmolenko who is through on goal.
HUGE chance!
55. That is a MASSIVE save from Wayne Hennessey.
Mykolenko gets a cross in to Yaremchuk, and the striker has a tap in to convert.
It is normally a routine finish but big Wayne is there to make the stop.
Wales in good shape
52. The Welsh defensive shape has been much better in the start of the second half.
Ramsey is looking to create chances here, and make up for his earlier miss.
Huge chance for Wales
49. It is a huge chance for Aaron Ramsey!
The ball comes into him from the left hand side and it is ever so slightly behind him!
Second half underway
46. The second half is underway here in Wales!
Half Time reaction
HT. Well we have an exceptional game on our hands here.
It is constantly back and forth in terms of chances, and it must be said that Wayne Hennessey has kept Wales in it at times.
Gareth Bale's free kick was struck hard and true, but a deflection from Yarmolenko is what saw it make the net bulge.
So far it is captain fantastic who will be taking the headlines again, but the second half could write a whole different story.
Gareth Bale has been the hero for Wales once again.Credit: AP
Half time!
HT. It is half time here in Wales, and the home side are winning 1-0!
What a game we have on our hands here with so much on the line, join us for coverage of the second half in just 15 minutes time.
Two added minutes
45. There are two added minutes here in Wales, and the home side are looking to add to their lead.
Wales playing on the break
44. Ukraine are on top of possession at the moment, but Wales are deadly on the counter attack.
VAR Check for penalty!
41. There is a VAR Check here for a penalty to Ukraine, Joe Allen didn't see Yarmolenko coming and tripped him, that was close.
The result of the check is no penalty.