5 talking points as Wales eye World Cup finals for first time in 64 years

Wales’ World Cup destiny will be decided by a play-off final against Ukraine in Cardiff.

Sunday’s winners will claim Europe’s last place for the finals in Qatar later this year.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Cardiff City Stadium shoot-out.

Wales’ only previous appearance at a World Cup came in 1958. Qualification was achieved through a play-off when Wales beat Israel 4-0 over two legs, and Dragons’ fans will hope that is an omen. There is another strong similarity between the 1958 and 2022 as the two managers, Jimmy Murphy and Robert Page, were both born and bred in the Rhondda Valley. Wales would go on to reach the quarter-finals in Sweden 64 years ago, losing 1-0 to Brazil and a goal scored by a 17-year-old Pele. There have been several qualification near-misses since with Wales tripped up by late hurdles.

Ukraine emerged from a six-month international break on Wednesday to end Scotland’s World Cup dream. It was their first competitive match since the country was invaded by Russia three months ago, and energy and enthusiasm coursed through the veins of their players. The Ukrainians will feel the same groundswell of global support as they attempt to give their embattled nation a lift by trying to qualify for Qatar. Ukraine were full value for their 3-1 win, but can they summon up the same reserves of strength just four days on from that emotional Hampden roller-coaster?

It has been a memorable week for Gareth Bale. The Wales captain became the first British player to win the Champions League on five occasions when Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Paris last Saturday. Four days later he penned a farewell letter to Real as his nine-year stay in Spain came to an end. He was then