Wales suffered the agony of missing out on a second successive major tournament on penalties as they lost their World Cup semi-final at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina following a shootout in Cardiff.
Craig Bellamy’s side had looked on course to set up a play-off final against Italy as they led 1-0 in the second half, only to concede a late equaliser before losing on penalties, as they did to Poland exactly two years earlier in their Euro 2024 play-off final.
Wales controlled a cagey first half, dominating possession and coming closest to an opening goal as Harry Wilson’s beautiful bending effort cannoned off the post.
The home side took the lead in spectacular fashion six minutes after the restart, Daniel James latching on to a wayward backpass and smashing a swerving 25-yard strike into the roof of the net.
James then hit the crossbar as the game opened up, while Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow produced a save for the ages to claw away a goalbound header from Ermedin Demirovic.
Bosnia grew in confidence and had chances to equalise before their 40-year-old captain, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, headed in from a corner in the 86th minute to send the game into added time.
Both teams looked exhausted in extra time, unable to create any opportunities of note, with Bosnia trying everything they could to run down the clock and force penalties.
Darlow denied Demirovic again from the first spot-kick, while Wilson, Haris Tabakovic, Mark Harris and Ivan Basic all scored before Brennan Johnson skied his to make it 2-2 after three penalties each.
Amir Hadziahmetovic converted Bosnia’s next penalty and Neco Williams saw his saved by Nikola Vasilj, handing Kerim Alajbegovic the chance to clinch victory as he sent Darlow the wrong way.
Bosnia will now host Italy on Tuesday for a place at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Wales, meanwhile, will return to Cardiff City Stadium on the same night for a match that nobody wants, a friendly against Northern Ireland, who lost Thursday’s other semi-final to Italy.
