Gareth Bale focuses on 'dream' World Cup amid club uncertainty

Gareth Bale hinted Wales' qualification for the World Cup after a 64-year wait will force him to put any thoughts about a possible retirement on hold.

The former Real Madrid and Tottenham forward played a key role in securing a 1-0 victory over Ukraine in their European play-off final at the Cardiff City Stadium with 34th-minute free-kick which was headed into his own net by Andriy Yarmolenko.

Bale told Sky Sports with a smile "for a little bit" when asked how the result affects his future, adding: "It's the greatest result in the history of Welsh football.

"I am just delighted we are going to a World Cup. It means everything, it's what dreams are made of. I'm speechless. I'm so glad we've done it for these amazing fans.

"I haven't played too much football these last three or four weeks because of my back spasm, but the most important thing was to get through."

Manager Robert Page reflected on "an unbelievable feeling" after guiding Wales to a first World Cup appearance since 1958.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Page said.

"It was a stressful game. I thought Ukraine were excellent.

"We knew we had to be at our complete best to get the result, and we had to dig deep at times. I am proud of the players and the supporters.

"It's massive for the nation. There will be people partying in Cardiff tonight until the early hours tomorrow, and rightly so.

"I've just said to the senior players that the one thing they've had missing from their CV is a World Cup tournament.

"Gary Speed started this 12 years ago, and I want to dedicate that to Gary as well.

"He started the culture. There was a change, the environment completely changed. Chris Coleman took it on to another level, and I've inherited that group.

"We are just confident going into