Wales miss out on Euros after Poland shootout defeatWales agonisingly missed out on qualification for Euro 2024 as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat in their play-off final against Poland on a night of crushing disappointment in Cardiff.
In what was a first shootout for Wales’ men in a competitive match, Daniel James missed the only spot-kick – saved by Wojciech Szczesny – while Poland converted all five.
It was a desperately painful way for Robert Page and his players to lose, beaten by a Poland side who failed to register a single shot on target during the entire 120 minutes before the shootout.
Robert Lewandowski’s side can now look forward to joining France, Netherlands and Austria in Group D at this summer’s Euros in Germany.
Meanwhile, Georgia created history by reaching their first major tournament with a penalty shootout win over Greece in their Euro 2024 play-off.
Home substitute Nika Kvekveskiri scored the winning penalty, squeezing his effort past the outstretched arm of Greece keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The 4-2 shootout success, which came after a tight and tense goalless draw, sparked joyous scenes in Tbilisi.
Georgian supporters ran on to the pitch to congratulate their players, having seen the national side – which played its first match in 1990 when still part of the Soviet Union – qualify for a major tournament at the 15th attempt.
Fans climbed on the crossbar of one of the goals and kneeled on the pitch in celebration.
Georgia will join Turkey, Portugal and the Czech Republic in Group F at this summer’s finals.
Elsewhere, Ukraine will compete in the finals of a major tournament for the first time since being invaded by Russia after Mykhailo Mudryk’s winner in their Euro 2024 play-off final against Iceland.
Ukraine trailed 1-0 at half-time after Albert Gudmundsson put Iceland ahead with a superb strike.
But Serhiy Rebrov’s side came back from behind in the second half, levelling through Viktor Tsygankov, before Chelsea forward Mudryk’s late winner.
Ukraine will go into Group E at the Euro 2024 finals, alongside Belgium, Slovakia and Romania.