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WALES will face Ukraine in Cardiff for a World Cup spot TODAY – and they'll be eager to clinch a spot at the major event for the first time since 1958.

However, the Ukrainians will be hoping to bring some much needed joy to their war torn nation for the winter.

  • Start time: 5pm GMT
  • TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League / S4C
  • Wales XI: Hennessey; Roberts, Davies, Rodon, Williams; Ampadu, Ramsey, Allen, James; Moore, Bale
  • Ukraine XI: Bushchan; Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko; Stephanenko; Yaramolenko, Malinovyski, Zinchenko, Tsygankov; Yaremchuk

Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…

  • Lloyd Canfield

    Gareth the GOAT

    Wales have had some exceptional players down the years.

    Giggs, Rush, Speed and so many more feature among their legends.

    But none of them come close to Gareth Bale, he is a devastatingly good attacker, who has an eye for goal, and a big goal at that.

    He scored two huge goals in the Semi-Final against Austria, including a stunning free kick, which was just a glimpse of his class.

    Bale's incredible free kick against Austria.Credit: Getty
  • Lloyd Canfield

    Zinner in an attacking role

    It is well known amongst Manchester City players that Olexandr Zinchenko is one of the most technically gifted in their side.

    Whilst we are used to seeing him play in the left-back position for the Cityzens, he is deployed in an attacking midfield role for his national side.

    This is a position that he excels in, with his dynamism and technical ability crucial to the Ukrainians successes.

  • Lloyd Canfield

    Serious quality

    Whilst the main focus of people's attention on Ukraine is related to the war, the quality of their squad should not be forgotten.

    They have serious players in their ranks, with the likes of Zinchenko, Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi and so many more who are capable of the extraordinary.

    Zinchenko has been an impeccable player for Man City and Ukraine this season.Credit: Getty
  • Lloyd Canfield

    More than football

    Today is a huge occasion that cannot be understated, and Bill Shankly's famous quote has never rang so true.

    "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

  • Lloyd Canfield

    Ukraine substitutes

    Zubkov, Pyatov, Sydorchuk, Riznyk, Dovbyk, Shaparenko, Sobol, Mudryk, Bondar, Kacharaba, Pikhalyonok, Syrota.

  • Lloyd Canfield

    Ukraine Starting XI

    Bushchan, Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko, Stepanenko, Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi, Zinchenko, Tsygankov, Yaremchuk.

  • Lloyd Canfield

    64 Years of hurt

    Wales have not appeared at the World Cup since 1958, when a 17-year-old Pele scored to knock them out in the quarter-finals.

    Yes, Pele was 17.

    The Welsh people had to wait until EURO 2016 to reach another international tournament, in which they impressively reached the Semi-Finals, and lost to eventual winners Portugal.

    Pele was a formidable opponent, not just for Wales.Credit: Getty
  • Lloyd Canfield

    Wales substitutes

    Ward, Davies, Gunter, Mepham, Wilson, Johnson, Morrell, Norrington-Davies, Williams, Harris, Thomas, Matondo.

  • Lloyd Canfield

    Wales Starting XI – Bale starts

    Hennessey, Ampadu, Rodon, Davies, Roberts, Allen, Ramsey, Williams, James, Bale, Moore.

  • Lloyd Canfield

    Written in the stars?

    Today Ukraine will be aiming to slay the Welsh dragon in this play-off final, and they will have the world of football cheering them on.

    After what they have been through this year, it would be poetic for them to secure their place in the World Cup.

    They definitely have a talented enough squad to be a part of the competition, and showed their class in their recent 3-1 win against Scotland.

    Wales, however, have a great squad of their own, and it is impossible to write off Gareth Bale and his heroics.

    A Ukraine supporter holds a flag bearing the name of his war-torn home city.Credit: Alamy
  • Lloyd Canfield

    Welcome to Wales vs Ukraine!

    Good evening and welcome to SunSport’s coverage of Wales vs Ukraine.

    This is a World Cup play-off final game, so the victors will secure their place in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

    We are set to see some exceptional talent on display, as these two sides have some greats at their disposal.

    It is set to be a cracker, as there is so much on the line for these two.

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