Gareth Bale describes Ukraine win as 'greatest result in Welsh football history'
- Sean Fisher
- 5 June 2022
Gareth Bale's first half strike resulted in the only goal of the game as Wales sealed a 1-0 win over Ukraine to end their 64-year wait to feature in the World Cup.
Despite being limited to a part-time role at Real Madrid this season, Gareth Bale is usually the star man for Wales, and he produced on the big stage again on Sunday afternoon.
His first-half free-kick was deflected in by West Ham's Andriy Yarmolenko, and a resolute Welsh defence held out while Ukraine desperately looked for an equaliser.
Both Wayne Hennessey and Ben Davies were superb for Rob Page's side, as they battled in the Cardiff rain to seal their spot in the World Cup.
YMA O HYD 🏴 pic.twitter.com/4uidvVWGtq
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 5, 2022
Having now qualified, Wales can look forward to joining Group B in the tournament, alongside England, Iran and the United States.
Their first World Cup match since 1958 will come on November 21 - the opening day of the tournament - when they come up against the United States.
Following the match, Bale expressed his excitement at getting to feature in a World Cup.
The Welsh forward said: "The result is the greatest in Welsh football history.
"We're going to a World Cup!
"It means everything, what dreams are made of, we've been working towards it since I first came in here.
CWPAN Y BYD!!!! pic.twitter.com/5KP0FmJav4
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 5, 2022
"Words can't describe how we feel at the moment."
Bale was then asked if he could postpone his retirement plans, and the Wales talisman replied: "Maybe for a little bit!"
