Wales suffer Euros penalty heartache

Wales missed out on a third-successive Euro finals appearance as they lost on penalties to Poland.

They lost a shootout 5-4 in Cardiff after a goalless 120 minutes.

Dan James’ spot-kick was saved by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny after all nine previous takers had scored at a tense Cardiff City Stadium.

Poland had failed to have a shot on target after 90 minutes, while Wales skipper Ben Davies had a goal ruled out for offside at the end of the first half and Szczesny brilliantly denied Kieffer Moore in the second period.

Poland will join France, the Netherlands and Austria in Group D in Germany in June.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk’s late winner sealed Ukraine’s passage to Euro 2024 after a 2-1 win against Iceland in the Group B play-off.

Albert Gudmundsson’s thunderbolt gave Iceland a half-time lead in Wroclaw, Poland, before Viktor Tsygankov struck a fine equaliser 10 minutes into the second period.

The game appeared to be heading for extra-time until Mudryk’s curling 82nd-minute effort from the edge of the area sent Ukraine into Group E in Germany alongside Belgium, Slovakia and Romania.

Georgia qualified for their first major tournament as they beat Greece 4-2 on penalties in Tbilisi after a tense and goalless 120 minutes.

Lech Poznan midfielder Nika Kvekveskiri converted the winning penalty for Georgia after Greece’s Giorgos Giakoumakis had fired his effort wide.

The game was marred by a mass melee at the end of the first half, sparked by Petros Mantalos’ challenge on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Players and both benches were involved as tempers boiled over, with Greece’s substitute goalkeeper Giorgi Loria and a member of their coaching staff both shown red cards.

Georgia have qualified for the final place in Group F alongside Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic.

Published: 27/03/2024 by Radio NewsHub

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