In the playoff finals on Tuesday, Poland dashed Wales’ hopes and won a penalty shootout 5-4 to qualify for Euro 2024 as the last country through. The match was played at the Cardiff City Stadium, and it was a cagey affair that saw a deadlock in extra time as well. However, the Polish team managed to secure a fifth successive appearance at the continental soccer tournament by winning the shootout.
Poland will be in Group D alongside France, the Netherlands, and Austria at the tournament in Germany, which is scheduled to start in June. It is a remarkable achievement for Poland, who will be hoping to make a strong impression at the tournament.
On the other hand, Wales had to face their first-ever shootout with 10 men after Chris Mepham was sent off in added time of extra time for a second yellow card. Despite being one man down, they matched Poland shot for shot until Daniel James stepped up and was denied by the Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Wales had a chance to take the lead moments before the break when captain Ben Davies headed into the net, but it was confirmed offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The Welsh supporters were left disappointed as it was their first time failing to qualify for a European championship since 2012.
After the match, Wales manager Rob Page said,
“It is a cruel game, that’s what I’ve said to the players. One kick away from qualifying and it hurts. I thought we were the better team. My message to the players at halftime was ‘We are the better team, we will go on to win this game’.”
