Summary

  • Wales end 64-year wait to appear at a World Cup

  • Bale's deflected strike free-kick earns tense win over Ukraine

  • Wales will play England, United States and Iran in Group B at Qatar 2022

Live Reporting

Michael Pearlman and Philip Marsh

  1. Fan travelling 8,500 miles for Wales' World Cup play-off

    Wales v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    One fan is making the round trip of more than 8,500 miles to be in Cardiff this afternoon - despite flying over to the UK without a ticket.

    Rhys Davies travelled with his wife and three young children from Edmonton in Canada in the desperate hope of finding a ticket - and his gamble has paid off.

    "I was lucky enough to have good family members to save me a ticket," said the 37-year-old electrician, who moved to Canada from Llandovery 15 years ago.

    "I'm looking forward to it and hoping Wales come through with a victory.

    "I came over for the play-off semi-final win over Austria in March and that was amazing.

    "I thought to myself there's no way I'm missing the final."

    Rhys DaviesRhys Davies
    Rhys Davies and his familyRhys Davies

  2. If you are going to lose, lose like that

    Wales v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    It already feels like a long time ago, but this is, of course, Wales' second game of the week.

    Manager Robert Page said he was proud of his make-shift side after their 2-1 Nations League defeat against Poland.

    He picked a team with one eye on today's World Cup play-off final, resting the likes of captain Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Ben Davies.

    Robert Page proud of his make-shift Wales side after Poland defeat

  3. Wales fans descend on capital for crucial game

    Wales v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    Welsh fans have said they are "buzzing" but "nervous" ahead of the World Cup play-off final against Ukraine later.

    Wales fans in Cardiff

  4. Wales v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

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  5. Good afternoon

    Wales v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    Good afternoon and welcome to Cardiff, the centre of the sporting universe today.

    It is no exaggeration to say that the Welsh capital today hosts a sporting event interesting people around the entire world.

    Wales versus Ukraine, with one place at the 2022 World Cup at stake.

    Now usually, these Wales live pages are a little cheerleader-ish towards Cymru, especially as this proud footballing nation is bidding to reach a first World Cup since 1958 and especially with 18 failed World Cup qualifying campaigns to look back on.

    However, as Gareth Bale and Ben Davies have eloquently acknowledged this week, today's opponents mean Wales are the side most neutrals will be rooting against, we acknowledge that too.

    Not that you'll hear that at a raucous, partisan Cardiff City Stadium.

    We are still two hours away from kick-off, so team news is a while away, but let's try and bring you a flavour of what it is like outside and inside the ground.

    The stakes are as high as they get in international football.

    How are your nerves?

    Wales and Ukraine fansGetty Images