Ukraine misses out on World Cup after playoff loss to Wales

CARDIFF, Wales — Ukraine missed out on qualifying for the World Cup on Sunday after the war-disrupted team was beaten 1-0 by Wales in the European playoff final for the FIFA soccer showpiece.

Andriy Yarmolenko inadvertently headed the ball into his own net while trying to clear Wales captain Gareth Bale’s first-half free kick.

Ukraine lost to Wales Sunday in the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff final.
Ukraine lost to Wales Sunday in the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff final.
REUTERS

While Wales heads to a first World Cup in 64 years — opening against the United States in November — this was an agonizing end to Ukraine’s emotionally charged mission to qualify for Qatar while remaining under invasion by Russia.

source: nypost.com