World Cup 2022: How did Wales celebrate qualification?
- Published
Whether you were at home, at the pub, or in Cardiff City Stadium, a whirlwind of emotions were felt across the entire nation on Sunday night.
Wales ended a 64-year World Cup drought after beating Ukraine 1-0 following captain Gareth Bale's deflected free-kick.
Welsh fans expressed elation for a moment some thought they'd never experience, while many Ukraine refugees felt heartbreak after several missed chances of success.
So how did Wales show up for a moment that's been a rarity in our history?
Cheers of pride began even before kick-off as fans enjoyed a rousing rendition of Welsh football anthem Yma o Hyd from folk singer Dafydd Iwan.
"There was rain and I was soaking wet but wow I have never heard such singing," he said.
"So many non-Welsh speakers came up and spoke to me yesterday, saying how proud they were of being able to sing a Welsh song and being part of this excitement."
He took to the pitch again after Wales' victory to sing with the team as tears fell.
"It was the first time I had shook hands with members of the team and Gareth Bale himself," he said.
"And to see them sing again with this passion. There's something wonderful about football. It's great to be a part of it."
A well-deserved beer for Wales defender Neco Williams after the match...
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Where did the rest of the team take the jubilations? Gareth Bale's Elevens Bar and Grill in Cardiff, of course.
Osian McGuinness and other Welsh fans joined the squad as they partied after the winning qualification to the World Cup in the city centre.
Allow YouTube content?
This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Google’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Barman George Watts told Radio Wales Drive: "At about 11pm one of the supervisors, who's often quite sarcastic, said the whole team was coming.
"We thought he was joking but they came with all the wives, brothers, uncles and aunties as well.
"I don't think this was the first place they had been. They were quite eager to get the drinks in, players were dancing in the windows and on the tables.
"He [Bale] came in, shook all the bartenders' hands and introduced himself and then chilled in the corner.
"It was a once in a generation thing. If I hadn't volunteered to stay later, my family wouldn't have forgiven me for giving up that chance to say what I was doing the night Wales qualified for the World Cup."
Does loyalty to Wales get any stronger than this?
Daniel Cooper tweeted mid-game from Wrexham Maelor carpark saying his partner was in labour with their baby daughter... but he was watching the game on his phone.
Two celebrations are on the cards for this footy fan!
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
As speculation circles about where Bale will head next after his exit from Real Madrid, Hollywood star Rob McElhenney eyed him up for his Wrexham team...
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Minutes after the final whistle blew, Welsh fans swapped shirts with Ukrainians to emulate their heroes on the pitch.
A host of celebrities, including Michael Sheen, Gabby Logan and Catherine Zeta Jones took to social media to celebrate Wales' success.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Related topics
- Published6 June 2022
- Published6 June 2022
- Published6 June 2022