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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Robbie Savage

Robbie Savage sends messages to England and Ukraine as Wales reach World Cup

Bring on England – but even as a proud Welshman, I can only take my hat off to Ukraine.

Of course it's fantastic that Wales are through to their first World Cup finals since 1958, when it took a goal from Pele for Brazil to knock them out in the quarter-finals.

Of course I can't wait for Wales and England to lock horns in Qatar next winter in the group stage – it will be a delicious sequel after their meeting at Euro 2016.

And I can understand Gareth Bale's euphoria when he said in his post-match TV interview that it's the greatest result in the history of Welsh football because reaching another World Cup means so much to us as a nation.

But I have to admit: I wish it wasn't Wales who had to be the 'bad' guys who denied Ukraine a place at the tournament.

The suffering, the devastation, the shocking scenes on TV every night from the invasion of their sovereign land is heartbreaking to witness.

Had Ukraine been playing anybody but Wales, I would have been cheering for them in that play-off final.

And in the cold light of day, they did not deserve to lose. Ukraine's performance did their people proud, and it simply wasn't their day on the pitch.

Ukraine can be immensely proud of their display (Action Images via Reuters)

There was an element of fortune about the winner, although that does not detract from Gareth Bale's dead-ball delivery nor Wales scoring more goals from set pieces (seven) in the qualifying campaign than anyone bar England (nine).

There was more than an element of fortune about Wales surviving the penalty appeal when Joe Allen caught Andriy Yarmolenko and VAR declined to overturn referee Mateu Lohoz's verdict.

And at times there were elements of fortune as Rob Page's side lived on their nerves, but that does not detract from Wayne Hennessey's magnificent save to keep out Arem Dovbyk's header, nor his heroic man-of-the-match performance.

I could not be happier for Page, who has done an outstanding job to maintain a unity of purpose among this squad and keep Wales punching above their weight.

I'm thrilled for Bale, who deserves to play at a World Cup tournament, the biggest stage in football, to crown a career that has brought him five Champions League winner's medals.

And I can't wait to see if Wales can upset the applecart again in Qatar, as they did at the Euros six years ago.

Wales have won through to Qatar (PA)

But as much as I am inclined to celebrate with 3.1 million of my countrymen, I wish it was a victory we could share with the Ukrainian people.

Wales have won a football match and ended 64 years of frustration. But Ukraine have won all our hearts and for them, the greatest prize – freedom – is still there to be claimed.

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