Wales saw a Euro 2024 place slip away via an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Poland.
Dan James was the tortured soul who saw his spot-kick saved, as The Dragons lost 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Overall it was a spirited performance in a spirited atmosphere but Rob Page’s men could not secure a place at a third consecutive major tournament.
Tom Collomosse was at the Cardiff City Stadium to bring you six things you might not have noticed.
Wales missed out on a Euro 2024 place after losing on penalties to Wales in Cardiff
Connor channels Merv
Footballers are a superstitious bunch, which is why Wales defender Connor Roberts appears to be modelling himself on cult Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes.
Hughes was as famous for his handlebar moustache as he was for peppering opposing batsmen with short-pitched deliveries and Roberts seems to be walking the same path – though he has some way to go to match Hughes’ effort.
‘I think it has played about 25 Championship games and never lost, so I hope that continues,’ he said. ‘It’s the power of the ‘tache isn’t it? I keep asking my wife if I should shave it off but she likes it so I’m leaving it there.’
Roberts’ wheeze certainly seems to be working at club level. He was part of the Burnley side that cruised to promotion from the Championship last term and since Roberts moved to Leeds, Daniel Farke’s men have reeled in long-time leaders Leicester and are now top of the pile.
Connor Roberts’ moustache has had an incredible record at club level but failed to deliver here
Wales lean on Leeds lads
Roberts is one of four Leeds United players who are key members of the Wales squad as Rob Page relies heavily on the men from Elland Road.
When he signed for Leeds on loan from Burnley in February, Roberts linked up with international team-mates Dan James, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon at the Championship leaders.
It is worth recalling, too, that John Charles, one of the greatest players British football has produced, spent eight outstanding years with Leeds before joining Juventus. He also scored 15 times in 38 games for Wales. Not a bad template to follow, then.
Four Leeds players, including Ethan Ampadu, were part of Wales’ starting XI against Poland
A no-show from Cardiff and Swansea
Four Leeds players, two from Tottenham, yet not a single one in the Wales starting XI from either of the country’s two biggest clubs.
With Aaron Ramsey on the bench, neither Cardiff nor Swansea was represented in Rob Page’s side for their most significant fixture since the 2022 World Cup.
This says less about the big two in Wales than it does about the strength now available to Page. Five of the team he picked play in the Premier League, with the Leeds quartet and Ipswich’s Kieffer Moore all trying to get there with their clubs.
With Aaron Ramsey on the bench, neither Cardiff nor Swansea was represented in Rob Page’s side
Poland’s Pozzo culture
Poland are rapidly developing a reputation as the Watford of international football, with current boss Michal Probierz the fourth man in the hotseat since Jerzy Brzeczek departed in January 2021.
He was replaced by former Juventus and Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa, who was out by the end of the year as Czeslaw Michniewicz came in. Michniewicz also lasted barely 12 months and his successor Fernando Santos didn’t hang around either.
Now the baton has passed to Probierz – Poland’s fifth coach since Rob Page took charge of his first Wales game, in September 2020.
Michal Probierz is Poland’s fifth boss since September 2020 – when Rob Page took charge of Wales. Are they becoming the Watford of international football?
Zalewski turns down Italy
Who would reject the chance to play for the country of their birth, especially when the nation is question is four-time World Cup winners and double European champions Italy?
That is exactly what Nicola Zalewski, born near Rome, did when deciding between the Azzurri and Poland. The 22-year-old defender opted for the country of his parents’ birth and won his 16th senior cap here.
Nicola Zalewski turned down the chance to play for Italy in favour of Poland, his parents’ country of birth
Robert Lewandowski was mercilessly mocked by home supporters in a lively atmosphere
Robert Lewandowski feels Red Dragons’ wrath
Battle lines were drawn well before kick-off as both sets off supporters tried to silence the anthem of their opponents through sustained chanting, whistling and booing.
Classless it may have been but it sure took the atmosphere up a notch. And when Robert Lewandowski did not win a free-kick after colliding with Rodon, the Barcelona star was mocked mercilessly by the home supporters.
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