curse of the joints
The Ukrainian national team has qualified for major tournaments 13 times, yet too often they faltered in the playoffs. In 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Ukraine led their group, but they ultimately reached the World Cup only once: Turkey, Denmark, Greece, Albania, Georgia, and Kazakhstan stood in their path.
During the final stretch of the World Cup, the Ukrainian squad dropped out in the group stage. In the first playoff round, they pushed Switzerland to penalties, only to bow out in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 defeat to the eventual champions from Italy.
Since then, the yellow-blues have not qualified for the world stage. In the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Ukraine finished second behind England and were favorites in the playoff against Greece, yet conceded a late away goal after a goalless first leg, losing the away tie despite dominating possession and chances.
Before the 2014 World Cup, Ukraine again finished second in the group, trailing England by a narrow margin. In Kiev, they faced France and were beaten 2-0. The return leg in Saint-Denis saw France score twice more after taking the lead, effectively sealing advancement for the visitors with minutes to spare as they played with a one-man advantage.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Ukraine failed to reach the tournament, allowing Iceland and Croatia to surge ahead, and eventually Wales edged them out in the playoff round, despite Ukraine creating more chances and controlling play at times. The result was a painful exit from the qualification path to the World Cup in Qatar.
The loss to Wales in the playoff final sting was amplified by a moment when captain Andriy Yarmolenko inadvertently redirected a cross into his own net, and by the broader impression of Ukraine’s overall dominance that night. Wales, with Gareth Bale leading the way, dispatched Ukraine and earned a place in Qatar.
Across 13 World Cup and European Championship qualifiers, Ukraine suffered six playoff defeats, with a solitary escape into the European competition in this set of qualifiers becoming a rare highlight.
“Let’s destroy the Welsh economy”
The dramatic defeat sparked a wide public reaction in Ukraine and beyond. Some fans expressed sympathy for the underdog Wales, while others offered support for Wales and shared in their jubilation.
“Ukraine dominated but could not break through a parked defense,” commented Jess Patiño.
“Of course I’m happy for Wales, but it’s sad for Ukraine,” said Charlie, who posted a Ukrainian flag on social media in support of both teams where possible.
“We all know Ukraine deserved to go to the World Cup instead of the USA team,” noted Jared Mouch.
“I believed Ukraine would win the World Cup. Honestly not,” admitted Rob Pattison.
“Sports should stay outside politics. Ukraine played well, but Wales was better that night,” wrote a user going by Aidan.
“This isn’t Eurovision. This is football. Congratulations to Wales,” declared Iceman.
“Disrespectful for Wales not to invite Ukraine into the World Cup. A pity,” commented Welsh fan We-Nigh_Ted.
“How many games do you have ahead of you, Russia?”
The reaction in Ukraine was mixed, and the Ukrainian Football Federation set a tone after the Wales loss by focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the defeat.
“We lost the fight, but there are many matches ahead. How many does the Russian team have?” the UAF posted on social media, signaling a renewed push toward next opportunities.
“A Bitter End to Ukraine’s Mission”
Foreign media largely sympathized with Ukraine while recognizing Wales’s achievement of reaching a World Cup for the second time in history, and for the first time since 1958. The Guardian argued that Ukraine played better at times and should have been awarded a penalty decision in the first half, while Wales’s players posed more danger with their moves until Yarmolenko’s misstep.
Coverage highlighted the emotional weight of the match and noted the audience’s warm farewell to Ukrainian players at the end.
The Daily Mail called the encounter a dramatic, almost fairy-tale exit—an emotional moment that underscored the difficult path Ukraine walked to reach Qatar, even as Wales celebrated a memorable triumph.
Al Jazeera echoed that Ukraine’s World Cup hopes should have yielded more, while Yarmolenko’s return to form after Bale’s introduction stood out as a defining thread of the narrative, according to CNN.
Overall, journalists covering Wales’s victory and Ukraine’s exit did not deviate from the core sports story. The sentiment was clear: many hoped Ukraine would contend for a place in Qatar rather than concede a premature exit to a rival, even as both teams carried their own stories off the field.