Page rues 'cruel' exit as Poles book World Cup spot

CARDIFF, United Kingdom — Wales manager Rob Page said missing out on Euro 2024 was "cruel" on his players after Poland edged a penalty shootout 5-4 to qualify in Cardiff on Tuesday.

After the sides could not be separated in a tense 0-0 draw, Leeds winger Dan James was the only player to fail to score in the shootout.

Poland's five perfect spot-kicks earned it a place alongside France, the Netherlands and Austria in a tough Group D at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.

"We created a good, emotional game. This is a very important day for us," said Poland coach Michal Probierz.

Wales' new generation, shorn of the inspirational presence of the retired Gareth Bale, came up short by the finest of margins in heartbreaking fashion for the home fans and their manager at the Cardiff City Stadium.

"It's a cruel game, that's what I've said to the players, one kick away from qualifying. It hurts," said Page.

"We'll be bigger and stronger for having gone through this horrible experience. This group is going somewhere. There is a lot more to come, there are good times ahead."

Despite possessing the threat of Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski up front, Poland failed to register a shot on target in the 120 minutes.

However, the visitor found its range from the spot as Lewandowski, Sebastian Szymanski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Nicola Zalewski and Krzysztof Piatek confidently fired home.

James had to score to keep his country in it, but goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny dived low to his right to send Poland to a fifth consecutive Euros.

Only once before has it managed to get out of the group stage of the European Championship, reaching the quarterfinals in 2016.

No creative spark

Both sides were in free-scoring form in the playoff semifinals on Thursday as Wales brushed aside Finland 4-1, while Poland thrashed Estonia 5-1. However, it was a far tighter and more tense affair with qualification on the line.

Page shuffled his forward options. Despite scoring against the Finns, David Brooks dropped to the bench to make way for Kieffer Moore.

Moore's physical presence has been a vital weapon in Wales' arsenal since Page took charge four years ago and provided a bigger threat than Lewandowski at the other end.

At the end of a first half short on goalmouth action, the Welsh thought they had taken the lead in stoppage time.

Ben Davies headed in from Moore's knockdown but the Tottenham defender had strayed centimeters offside.

Szczesny denied Moore the opener just two minutes into the second period with a spectacular save to prevent the on-loan Ipswich striker's header looping into the top corner.

AFP