Carried by a whole people, but also by the immense outpouring of international sympathy for a country which has suffered for more than three months from the destruction and deaths caused by the Russian invasion, the blue and yellow will not see Qatar.

Unlike Wales which, once past the opposing anthem respected and applauded as ever, did not lose sight of the sporting issue and its objective of winning its place in the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

And he did not foil unlike Scotland, beaten (3-1) four days ago at home, in the semi-finals.

In typical British weather, Oleksandr Petrakov's men nevertheless delivered a performance that proved that they would have had their place in the World Cup.

Galvanized by a flag signed by soldiers from the front hanging on the wall of their locker room, they put all the ingredients to win this match: desire, combat, technique, tactics.

All but one: realism.

A few refereeing decisions, such as the goal denied to Oleksandr Zinchenko on a free kick taken too quickly (3rd) or a penalty denied to Andryi Yarmolenko (40th) weighed heavily.

But the Ukrainians will especially regret the missed opportunities against a Wayne Hennessey who will undeniably have been the hero on the red side, despite interventions that were not always very academic.

On a Welsh alignment error, Roman Yaremchuk thus presented himself against the goalkeeper, but his shot was blocked in two stages (12th).

Gareth Bale, author of the decisive free kick in the victory of the Welsh over Ukraine in Cardiff, June 5, 2022 Geoff Caddick AFP

Hennessey also had difficulty repelling a shot from Zinchenko (40th) before having an incredible foot reflex to repel a deflection from Viktor Tsygankov from six meters, Yaremchuk, well placed to resume, failing to put it to the bottom (55th ).

Hennessey's Miracle

A few minutes later, it was Tottenham defender Ben Davies who made a miraculous save in front of Yarmolenko (59th).

And what about the miraculous save on his Hennessey line on a powerful header from Artem Dovbyk that the whole stadium saw at the bottom (84th)!

The fact that the goal conceded was on a deflection of the head of Yarmolenko, following a free kick taken by Gareth Bale (1-0, 34th) who took Georgi Buschchan on the wrong foot, does not will only make defeat even more bitter.

Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey saves his team from a Ukrainian strike in Cardiff, June 5, 2022. Geoff Caddick AFP

But in a very open and lively second half, the Welsh could also have killed the suspense much earlier.

Aaron Ramsey, alone seven meters from goal, opened his foot too much and missed the target (48th).

Dan James saw his recovery in the area blocked in extremis (62nd), the post repelled a volley from Brennan Johnson (75th), then Bale, ideally served at the far post, found the gloves of Buschchan (76th).

At the final whistle, the tears of the Ukrainian players, who paid tribute to their supporters in the stands of the Cardiff City Stadium, obviously contrasted with the joy of the Welsh, who had not qualified for a World Cup since 1958.

In Qatar, they will join a very English-speaking group B with their English neighbor, the United States and Iran to offer their historical leaders, Bale and Ramsey, a last adventure in the most beautiful of international competitions.

© 2022 AFP