Euros heartbreak for Wales after play-off final defeat
Wales lost 5-4 to Poland on penalties at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Last updated 27th Mar 2024
Wales have failed to qualify for the 2024 European Championship after losing 5-4 on penalties to Poland.
Their fate was sealed in a penalty shootout after the game went goalless after extra time.
Wales thought they went ahead just before halftime thanks to Ben Davies, only for the goal to be ruled off-side. That decision will only add to the heartbreak of countless Welsh fans.
After the full time whistle was blown, it was still 0-0 and the game went into extra time. Wales's fans continued to sing, the home crowd praying for a last-minute miracle.
And again, the score remained 0-0 at the final whistle, meaning penalties stood between Wales and their third Euros on the trot.
There was drama just before penalties, with Wales going down to 10 men after Chris Mepham received his second yellow card, sending him off in the 121st minute.
As Wales prepared for the shootout, the fans sang the national anthem as loud as they could to offer last-minute support to Rob Page's side.
Poland and Wales were once again equal throughout penalties. Poland went first and didn't miss a single penalty through the shootout.
But hope was still kept alive for Wales. Ben Davies, Kiefer Moore, Harry Wilson and Neco Williams all found the back of the net.
It was the final penalty where the fate of Wales was sealed. Dan James was last up for Wales to try and get them on that plane to the Euros, only for Poland's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny to save. You could feel the hearts of every Wales fan in the stadium break as Poland began celebrating.
This is the first time in 8 years Wales have not qualified for a European Championship.
Rob Page told S4C: "It is a cruel game and that is what I have said to the players. One kick away from qualifying and it hurts.
"I thought we were the better team. I've just said to the group, 'look how far we have come - we are that disappointed we have not qualified for a major tournament'."
Page offered sympathy to James and praised his squad for their efforts throughout the qualifying campaign.
He added: "We will rally round Deej. He had the bravery to take that penalty.
"I'm just so proud of that group and the nation should be proud of them. They have put a shift and some in tonight to try to get us there.
"We will be bigger and stronger for going through this horrible experience. We are going somewhere. There is something good happening with this group.
"They are so disappointed but they are hungry for it. We were nearly there, one kick away. There is a lot more to come."