Wales 1-0 Ukraine: ‘final piece of jigsaw,’ says Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale, Wales captain, celebrates a goal during the World Cup 4th round qualifying match against Belarus
Gareth Bale, Wales captain, celebrates a goal during the World Cup 4th round qualifying match against Belarus

After 64 years, Wales just now got the feeling that they’re meeting the World Cup For the first time since 1958. Finally, The Dragons proudly qualify from UEFA (Europe). 

The top scorer, Gareth Bale said the victory against Ukraine was the “final piece of the jigsaw”. 

Robert Page, the Wales manager is vocal about his praises for the team. Especially with Bale and Wayne Hennessey. The victory is dedicated to the late Gary Speed. The former manager of the Wales club. 

Page said “I want to dedicate that to Gary as well. He started the culture. There was a difference, there was a change in the environment. I’ve inherited that. Chris Coleman took it on to another level. We’re just confident going into games now. We don’t hope to qualify for the Euros or a World Cup now, we believe we can do it, so there has been a massive change in the mentality.” 

“Gary Speed started this, 12 or 13 years ago,”

“I said that the young players have been spoilt rotten by qualifying for a Euros and a World Cup consecutively. The senior guys have had to wait a long time for that. It shows the path we are on.”  Speaking to The Guardian, Page joked about his young players have been “spoilt rotten” compared to experienced players. 

How did it happen? 

Bale, whose first-half free-kick was diverted past the Ukraine goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan by the Ukraine captain, Andriy Yarmolenko, basked in victory.  Wales’ 64-year wait is finally over. 

Bale said “It’s what we’ve been working all our careers for and to do this for the fans, the nation, ourselves and our families is an incredible achievement, and it will be something that we will be forever proud of,”

“It means everything. It is the last piece of the jigsaw that we all wanted and we’re going to celebrate well tonight.”

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko said ‘he and his teammates must continue to fight on behalf of their country. In their dressing room, Ukraine displayed a flag given to them by soldiers defending against attacks from Russia.  

His touching words state “Everyone needs to continue to fight, as footballers we need to represent our country as best we can,”

“Everyone needs to live in peace and we need to stop the war altogether. Today it’s Ukraine, but who knows tomorrow, we need to stay together. I feel sorry for our fans, but I wish Wales all the best for the World Cup.”