Heartbreak for Wales as World Cup journey comes to an end following 3-0 loss to England
Wales have been knocked out of the 2022 World Cup following a 3-0 loss to England in their final group game.
KATHMANDU: Wales have been knocked out of the 2022 World Cup following a 3-0 loss to England in their final group game.
It comes after Rob Page’s side endured a string of disappointing performances in Qatar with the boss saying they “gave everything” in their final match, which was dubbed the Battle of Britain.
“It’s very tough at this moment in time”, he said”
“I thought first half we were outstanding. The effort they put in without the ball was exceptional.
“We addressed at half-time that we could be a little bit better with the ball but I won’t have a bad word said about that group of players. They’ve given everything today.”
England dominated possession throughout the match and claimed a straightforward three points with goals from Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.
Captain Gareth Bale said the team will leave the tournament “with their heads held high” after becoming the first Welsh team to qualify for the World Cup since 1958.
The history-making journey to Doha saw the squad supported by The Red Wall/Y Wal Goch where thousands of Welsh fans made the 4,000 mile trip to watch the side compete.
That support was there until the bitter end where they sang the national anthem to the players following their elimination from the tournament.
Red Wall sings the Welsh national anthem to the players after their elimination from the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/P0BsrwtUE7
— Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) November 29, 2022
ITV Cymru Wales’ Sports Reporter Matt Southcombe has been reflecting on the tournament, what it meant to fans and how our nation performed.
Do you cry because it’s over or smile because it happened? That is the internal conflict that most Wales fans will be wrestling with this evening.
After all, Robert Page’s side brought an end to 64 years of painful near misses and took Wales to the world stage.
They completed the journey that Gary Speed set them on, lifting Welsh football from the doldrums.
But there is also an inescapable sense that things simply were not supposed to be like this. A draw with the USA and meek defeats to Iran and England sent Gareth Bale and co packing at the earliest opportunity.
In many ways it was a campaign as frustrating as the 64 years that preceded it.
A tactical error from Page – for which he admirably owned up – saw Wales comprehensively outplayed in the first 45 minutes against America.
They were lucky to be 1-0 down at the break but the introduction of Kieffer Moore at half time saw Wales wrestle control of the match. But they were only able to draw level as time ran out before they could nick a winner.
How different might things have been if Wales had got it right from the start?
The defeat to Iran will probably live with the players for a long time to come.
They were the lowest ranked team in the group and it was supposed to be an opportunity for Wales to really assert themselves.
But they were second to every ball and Iran thoroughly deserved their 2-0 win. It was a performance that raised questions over the conditioning of the side, who seemingly struggled in the heat that comes with an early kick-off.
It’s worth noting the timing of this World Cup.
Wales is going home. But at least they get to go home to Wales. Diolch and see you soon! 🏴 ❤️
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) November 29, 2022
Being in November, teams were robbed of the opportunity to have long training camps in the build-up to the tournament.
Given so few of Page’s side were regularly playing 90 minutes at domestic level in the build-up to the global gathering, there’s a good chance that was having an impact here.
Nonetheless, such a defeat to Iran was not part of the script.
In a World Cup that had been littered with upsets, including England’s draw with the USA, Wales’ offering in Qatar left fans pondering what might have been if they’d got their tactics right against the USA and if they’d simply turned up against Iran.
They were not out of it heading into the final clash with England but needed a minor miracle to reach the knockout stages.
It didn’t come.
Wales managed to contain Gareth Southgate’s side for 45 minutes but only mustered a potshot from Joe Allen.
When Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden put England 2-0 up early in the second half, Wales’ flame faded and their fate was sealed.
In all, it was a campaign that left a sour taste in the mouth.
Y WAL GOCH.
THE RED WALL.
DIOLCH. #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/AYSlstLKZ5— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) November 29, 2022
Yes, Wales went to the biggest stage of all and in many ways, that should be enough. But, when they got there, they fluffed their lines and that will give Page and his players sleepless nights.
A draw, a solitary goal and two convincing defeats.
So do you cry because it ended like that or smile because it happened? In this case, it might just be both.
