In what was an evening of heartbreak for Wales on Tuesday, the Dragons missed out on qualification for this summer time’s European Championships as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat in opposition to Poland in Cardiff.
With Tottenham defender Ben Davies having his first-half effort dominated out by VAR, Rob Web page’s males dominated giant spells and created a handful of possibilities on both facet of the interval.
Nevertheless, whereas Poland might need did not file a single shot heading in the right direction throughout the whole 120 minutes of motion in south Wales, the Eagles put in a rugged efficiency on international soil they usually actually confirmed their psychological resolve as they dragged themselves over the end line in essentially the most dramatic of vogue.
With all of Poland’s 5 penalty takers slotting previous Leicester’s Danny Ward, the stress was then an excessive amount of for Daniel James because the Leeds star was denied by Wojciech Szczesny in what was a devastating second for the 26-year-old.
Now profitable all of their seven historic conferences in opposition to the Dragons, Robert Lewandowski’s facet can now sit up for becoming a member of France, Netherlands and Austria in Group D at this summer time’s Euros in Germany.
On an evening when Poland dished out main qualifying heartbreak to the house assist in Cardiff, now we have taken a take a look at the principle speaking factors.
Poland present their resolve beneath Probierz
Securing a World Cup knockout stage ticket out in Qatar 15 months in the past, Poland opened up their EURO 24 qualifying marketing campaign final 12 months tipped as a number one contender to safe a top-two end in Group E.
Nevertheless, getting their qualifying journey underway within the midst of an actual battle, a shock 2-0 defeat in opposition to Albania again in September was sufficient to price Fernando Santos his job within the dugout.
Though many might need been shocked as Poland’s U21 boss Michael Probierz was handed a promotion, the Eagles do seem to have discovered a much-needed enhance beneath the steering of the 51-year-old.
Avoiding what would have been an notorious qualifying banana pores and skin final week as they stormed their approach to a thumping 5-1 romp in opposition to Estonia on residence soil, Poland may even take a string of positives away from a well-known penalties victory right here.
Handing Wales main qualifying heartbreak in Cardiff, the Eagles have additionally secured three consecutive victories throughout all competitions for the primary time since November 2021.
Wales at their inconsistent worst
Though Wales might need been massively annoyed again in November as they finally fell brief of their bid to safe a top-two end in Group D, the Dragons actually breathed life again into their camp with a thumping efficiency final week.
Regardless of going through what may have been an actual problem in Cardiff, Web page’s males stormed their approach to an attention-grabbing 4-1 romp in opposition to Finland they usually opened Tuesday’s showdown trying to make an identical assertion.
Nevertheless, though Wales might need opened their historic midweek showdown having misplaced only a single qualifying defeat in Cardiff since March 2011, they as soon as once more confirmed their inconsistencies on the largest of levels.
Making a handful of possibilities on both facet of the half-time break and backed by an emotional residence assist, there isn’t a doubt that the Dragons will take time to recuperate from main qualifying heartbreak right here.
Persevering with to realize a repute for his or her inconsistencies and crashing again all the way down to earth following final week’s empathic 4-1 win in opposition to Finland, Wales have now collected consecutive victories throughout any competitions simply as soon as since November 2021.
The place now for Web page?
Though Web page might need been fast to reward his facet’s efforts on Tuesday evening and insisted that their are loads of positives to remove from their heartbreaking qualifying journey, questions will definitely be requested of the 49-year-old and his long-term future.
Though Web page might need led Wales to a well-known World Cup return in Qatar 15 months in the past, the Dragons managed to place only a single level on the board from their three appearances and finally completed rock-bottom of the Group B standings.
With their World Cup nightmare underlined by a 3-0 drumming by the hands of bitter British rivals England, Web page has come beneath growing scrutiny over the previous 12 months.
Falling brief of their bid to clinch an automated ticket to this summer time’s European Championships and struggling extra qualifying heartbreak on residence soil, some sections round Cardiff who consider a change within the dugout is required.
Whereas Web page himself might need solely put pen to paper on a brand new cope with the FAW previous to the 2022 World Cup, it seems that the Dragons have a serious determination on their palms as soon as the mud has settled.
Match Report
Wales: Ward, Mepham, Rodon, Davies, Roberts, James, Ampadu, Williams, Wilson, Johnson, Moore
Subs: Brooks, James, Broadhead
Poland: Szczesny, Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior, Zalewski, Zielinski, Slisz, Piotrowski, Frankowski, Swiderski, Lewandowski
Subs: Romanchuk, Salamon, Szymanski, Piatek
Objectives: N/A
Yellow Playing cards: Wales: Mepham, James – Poland: Zalewski, Piotrowski
Purple Playing cards: Mepham
Referee: Daniele Orsato