Ukraine stronger at the beginning
“It’s a final. Each of us has to deliver the best performance of his life”had star player Oleksandr Zinchenko from the English champions Manchester City explained. The determination of the Ukrainians, who surprisingly recently won 3-1 in Scotland and thus kept their World Cup dream alive, was also in the Cardiff City Stadium impressive. Zinchenko sunk a free kick into the goal (3′) in the constant rain, but the Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz had not yet released the ball.
Roman Yaremchuk from Benfica Lisbon tested the Welsh after twelve minutes keepers Wayne Hennessey with a powerful shot. Wales, who had already reached the play-off final by beating Austria 2-1 in March, almost exclusively relied on counterattacks in their own stadium during this phase.
Goalkeeper Hennessey best Welshman
Despite their uncoordinated preparation since the outbreak of war on February 24, the Ukrainians had the events well under control, Zinchenko (30th) again caused danger with an attempt from 18 meters, Hennessey became the best of the eleven Welshmen.
Their star player Gareth Bale remained pale for a long time – then came the 34th minute. The pro of Champions League-Winners Real Madrid curled a free-kick sharply in front of goal from the left, where Ukraine captain Yarmolenko was unlucky to clear his own keeper. Ukraine remained unimpressed, shortly after his mishap Jarmolenko called for a penalty (40th).
Opportunities on both sides
After the change of sides, Aaron Ramsey missed the chance to raise for Wales from a few meters (49th). It went back and forth again, Yaremchuk (56th) failed after great preliminary work at Hennessey.
After an hour, Ukraine threw everything forward. Wales had chances to break, substitute Brennan Johnson hit the post in the 75th minute and seconds later Bale was denied by Ukrainian keeper Heorhiy Bushchan. On the other side, the outstanding Hennessey prevented the deserved equalization against Artem Dowbyk (84th).
Source: red/sid/dpa