As Wojciech Szczesny was ambushed by his Poland teammates, a penalty shootout victory and a place at the Euro 2024 finals secured, Daniel James was left counting the cost of failing to beat the goalkeeper from 12 yards.
A flawless set of penalties from Poland teed up Group D fixtures against France, Netherlands and Austria this summer and ensured Wales’s distraught players left the pitch glassy-eyed, the dream of reaching a third straight European Championship and a fourth major tournament in five over, ended in the cruellest of circumstances.
