Benfica’s Roman Yaremchuk tested Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey with a hard shot after 12 minutes. Wales, who had already reached the play-off final by beating Austria 2-1 in March, almost exclusively relied on counterattacks at home during this phase.
Hennessey holds everything
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 professional of Champions League winners Real Madrid curled a free-kick from the left in front of the goal, where Ukraine captain Jarmolenko unluckily tried to clear his own keeper. Ukraine remained unimpressed, shortly after his mishap Jarmolenko called for a penalty (40th).
Ukraine pushes, but no equalizer
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).