Wales’ coach Rob Page said his team was “cruel” to miss out on Euro 2024 after Poland qualified in Cardiff on Tuesday by defeating Wales 5–4 in a penalty shootout. Leeds winger Dan James was the only player to miss a goal in the shootout after the teams were unable to split the score in a tight 0-0 stalemate. Poland’s five flawless spot kicks secured them a spot in a challenging Group D at this summer’s Euro 2024 in Germany, along with France, the Netherlands, and Austria.
“We made a compelling, touching game. We have a lot to celebrate today,” Poland’s coach Michal Probierz stated.
At the Cardiff City Stadium, Wales’ new generation, devoid of the retiring Gareth Bale’s iconic presence, heartbrokenly lost by the narrowest of margins to their manager and the home supporters.
“I’ve told the players it’s a harsh game; they’re just one kick away from qualifying. It aches,” remarked Page.
We’ll grow and become stronger as a result of going through this terrible event. There’s a future for this group. There’s plenty more to come, and exciting times are in store.
Despite having Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona as a threat up front, Poland was unable to muster a single effort on goal over the 120 minutes.
Lewandowski, Sebastian Szymanski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Nicola Zalewski, and Krzysztof Piatek, however, rediscovered their range from the spot with confidence.
James needed to score to keep his nation in it, but Poland advanced to their seventh straight Euros thanks to a diving save to Wojciech Szczesny’s right.
They have only advanced past the European Championship group stages once, making it to the quarterfinals in 2016.
Wales is lacking in originality
In the playoff semi-finals on Thursday, both teams were scoring freely: Poland destroyed Estonia 5-1, while Wales easily defeated Finland 4-1.
But it was
