Wales' tale of qualifying heartbreak
Neco Williams has made 54 appearances for Wales
Wales' aspiration to participate in the World Cup has ended following a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off semi-final held in Cardiff.
Despite qualifying for three major finals over the last decade, Wales' football history includes numerous close calls and disappointments.
Wales reviews Wales' previous qualification disappointments.
1978 World Cup
Brian Flynn played 66 times for Wales and was briefly Wales caretaker manager in 2010
Wales had secured a 3-0 victory over group rivals Czechoslovakia in Wrexham, and a win against Scotland would have brought Mike Smith's team close to qualifying for the World Cup finals in Argentina.
Scotland had already been defeated 2-0 in Prague, giving Wales a perceived opportunity, despite having to play the home match on neutral ground.
Due to crowd disturbances, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) chose to hold the crucial match at Liverpool's Anfield instead of Wrexham to accommodate a larger audience and generate greater revenue.
The pivotal moment occurred in the 78th minute when Scotland striker Joe Jordan contested a long throw from Asa Hartford alongside Wales defender David Jones inside the Welsh penalty area.
French referee Robert Wurtz awarded a penalty to Scotland, despite video replays indicating that it was Jordan's hand that deliberately flicked the ball, not Jones'.
Don Masson converted the penalty past goalkeeper Dai Davies, and Kenny Dalglish added a second goal ten minutes later, ending Wales' hopes.
1982 World Cup
Mickey Thomas won 51 caps for Wales
Under Mike England, Wales remained unbeaten in their first five World Cup qualifying matches, but a defeat in Czechoslovakia followed by a home draw against Iceland proved detrimental.
Wales led 1-0 at Swansea's Vetch Field when the floodlights failed before halftime, causing a lengthy delay. After play resumed, Iceland came from behind twice to draw 2-2.
Subsequently, Wales lost 3-0 to the Soviet Union, and their chances ended when the Soviets drew 1-1 with Czechoslovakia, who qualified for Spain 1982 on goal difference, finishing above Wales.
1984 European Championships
Wales missed out on Euro 1984 despite drawing with group winners Yugoslavia twice
Wales were close to qualifying for the 1984 European Championship finals in France but were denied by a late equalizer from Yugoslavia in their final group match in Cardiff.
"We scored the goal that mattered and we were nine minutes away from glory,"manager Mike England reflected after the match.
With their fate no longer in their hands, Wales watched as Yugoslavia finished a point ahead at the top of the group, aided by an injury-time winning goal against Bulgaria in their final group game.
"I really thought we were going to France. My feelings when the injury time goal went in are impossible to describe. I just felt sick,"England added.
1986 World Cup
Wales finished third in their qualifying group
After losing their first two matches away to Iceland and Spain, Wales returned to contention with victories away to Scotland and a 3-0 home win over Spain, highlighted by Mark Hughes' remarkable scissor kick goal.
This set up a decisive final group match against Scotland at Ninian Park in September 1985. Wales needed a win, while a draw sufficed for Scotland.
Mark Hughes scored first for Wales, but a controversial handball decision against David Phillips allowed substitute Davie Cooper to score a penalty, securing a draw for Scotland and ending Wales' qualification hopes.
The disappointment was overshadowed by the death of Scotland manager Jock Stein, who collapsed at the conclusion of the intense match.
1988 European Championships
Ian Rush scored 28 goals for Wales
Wales appeared on track to qualify for the finals in West Germany after a 1-0 home victory over Denmark in September 1987, maintaining an unbeaten record in the group.
However, Wales faltered in their final two away matches against Denmark and Czechoslovakia.
Despite a narrow 1-0 loss in Copenhagen, Wales knew a win in their last game in Czechoslovakia would secure top spot and qualification.
Ian Rush missed several chances, and Czechoslovakia scored in each half to win, resulting in another heartbreak for Wales at the final stage.
"The disappointment of losing – you could see it in their faces,"England said, reflecting on the defeat in Prague.
"Some were crying, some were sitting in the corner heads bowed and I felt for them because I'd been there myself and I knew how they felt."
This match marked England's final game as manager after seven years, as he was replaced following four unsuccessful qualification campaigns.
1994 World Cup
Paul Bodin won 23 caps for Wales between 1990 and 1994
Despite a heavy 5-1 defeat in their opening qualifier in Romania, Wales re-entered contention during the campaign, highlighted by Ryan Giggs' emergence and a 2-0 victory over Belgium.
The qualification outcome hinged on the final fixtures.
Wales faced Romania at a packed National Ground in Cardiff and needed a two-goal win to guarantee qualification, though any win combined with favorable results could suffice.
Gheorghe Hagi scored first for Romania, but Dean Saunders equalized for Wales. Wales were then awarded a penalty after Gary Speed was fouled in the area.
Paul Bodin took the penalty, but his shot struck the crossbar. Later, Florin Raducioiu scored a second goal for Romania, ending Wales' World Cup hopes.
"We're still the nearly men,"Wales manager Terry Yorath said after the match.
"I'm afraid that's the tag we're going to have again."
The defeat was further overshadowed by the death of Welsh fan John Hill, who was struck by a marine distress flare.
This match was Yorath's last as manager, as the FAW chose not to renew his contract.
2004 European Championship
Wales drew in Moscow but were beaten at home by Russia
Under Mark Hughes, Wales began their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign strongly with four consecutive wins, including a notable 2-1 victory over Italy in Cardiff, where Craig Bellamy scored.
However, the latter half of the campaign saw Wales fail to win any of their remaining four matches, missing automatic qualification and narrowly securing a play-off spot.
Wales drew 0-0 in the first leg against Russia in Moscow, but Vadim Evseev's goal in the second leg ensured Russia's victory and qualification for the finals in Portugal.
2024 European Championship
Dan James (centre-right) missed a crucial penalty as Wales missed out on qualification
Following success at Euro 2016, where Wales reached the semi-finals, and subsequent qualifications for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, Wales aimed to qualify for a third consecutive major tournament under manager Rob Page.
The Euro 2024 campaign was mixed, featuring a win over Croatia and a home loss to Armenia, resulting in Wales relying on the play-offs.
Wales comfortably defeated Finland 4-1 in the semi-final to set up a play-off final against Poland in Cardiff.
The match ended 0-0 after regular and extra time, leading to a penalty shootout to decide qualification.
Ben Davies, Kieffer Moore, Harry Wilson, and Neco Williams scored for Wales, but Dan James had his penalty saved, allowing Poland to progress to the tournament in Germany.
