World Cup 2022: Celebrations as Wales qualify after 64-year wait

Wales fans and players are celebrating after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.

A deflected Gareth Bale free-kick was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Ukraine in Cardiff, and send Welsh supporters into raptures.

Fans leaving the Cardiff City Stadium sang and cheered joyously in the rain as the reality of making it to the Qatar finals later this year sank in.

Many supporters said they never thought they would see this moment.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford, actor Michael Sheen, presenter Gabby Logan, and a wealth of Welsh celebrities joined supporters from around the world praising the team.

"It's amazing what we can achieve when the whole country comes together," said Mr Drakeford.

"Commiserations to Ukraine - despite our differences on the field, Wales stands with you."

Wales will share Group B with USA, Iran and England at November's World Cup.

Ukraine fans had praised the home supporters for their welcome in Cardiff, while the Welsh FA invited the UK's Ukrainian ambassador to the game in support to the people in the war with Russia.

As well as holding banners in solidarity to Ukraine before kick-off, fans enjoyed a rousing rendition of Welsh football anthem Yma o Hyd from folk singer Dafydd Iwan.

Skipper Bale said the win is the "greatest result in history of Welsh football" and that sentiment was echoed by fan Clive Frances, who hailed an "amazing" achievement.

"It's the first time in both of our lifetimes that we've seen Wales qualify for a World Cup final," said the 63-year-old from Llanelli, who went to the game with his 14-year-old granddaughter Katie.

"I was born in 1959 so I missed the last time, so this is brilliant," he said.

"I've followed Wales all over the world and been to three continents, but this will be my first World Cup, it's tremendous and I've got to go. This means everything to me."

Katie added: "It's amazing and it's amazing to see my grandad so happy."

The Welsh team has narrowly missed out on qualifying for several World Cups since 1958 and lifelong fan David O'Gorman said that just makes qualifying for the 2022 finals sweeter.

"I've no words to explain how I am feeling and what it means to me and my country," said the 47-year-old computer programmer from Cardiff.

"We've had so many heartbreaks so that makes today all the more unbelievable."

Tracey Shanahan headed straight to the match after arriving home from Poland on Sunday afternoon, said the result made her feel proud to be Welsh.

"It makes me proud, very proud," said the 56-year-old from Cardiff.

"It's great for the fans, great for the team, great for the country. I'm a bit stuck for words to be honest, it's a bit of an emotional night, it's just fantastic, never-mind the rain it doesn't matter."

Sal Farreed said he never thought he would see the day when Wales would be at a World Cup finals.

"Wales in the World Cup... this is bliss", said the 50-year-old from Lampeter.

"I never thought I'd ever see this in my lifetime, I never thought this day would come."

Mike and his friend Alex, who have been watching Wales for over 30 years, said they "had seen many heartaches", but it made the result "extra special".

"It was a bit of a rollercoaster today I'm glad it worked out for us in the end", said Alex, from Pontyclun, who was with son Owen.

"It's been so many years of not quite qualifying and now finally doing it - we're in the World Cup, so it's amazing."

Owen, 16, was "absolutely buzzing" and glad that "everyone will know how we are now."

Ukrainian refugee and football fan Katerina Gorodnyca said she had "never had so many hugs".

"I've been to different stadiums and this was a really special place," she said, describing the support from Wales' fans as incredible.

"When our team didn't win, it was the first time another team came to where Ukrainian fans [were sitting] and said thank you, and we said thank you to them for a good match.

"I never had so many hugs after the game because all of the Welsh fans came and hugged us and said "it's just a game, but we support Ukraine".

"It was really warm," she said.

"When me and my son came here we have felt so much support…it was so pleasant, we really appreciate it. We didn't know a lot about Wales…I discovered this land, these people - and now my love of Wales."

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker congratulated the Wales team after Sunday's victory, tweeting: "It's a shame it had to be at the expense of Ukraine, but it's a wonderful achievement. Well played."

BBC Wales reporter Paul Piggott at the Cardiff City Stadium

While the rain pours down on Cardiff some fans are still here celebrating, soaking up the atmosphere - they don't care about the weather!

It's been such an emotional moment; some fans were in tears, some were lost for words as they poured out of the stadium singing, celebrating and cheering

There's one thing on every Welsh fan's lips: they are overjoyed to say Wales are going to the World Cup and no rain is going to dampen anyone's mood after 64 years waiting.󠁷

The Welsh men's team have not played at football's World Cup finals since 1958 - the longest drought of any team in Europe.

Only Cuba and Indonesia - who played at the 1938 finals in France - have gone longer than Wales without qualifying for another.

Football's first world superstar Pele was the player to break Welsh hearts in Wales' only previous World Cup appearance in 1958.

The then 17-year-old scored the only goal - and his first on the international stage - as eventual tournament winners Brazil beat Wales 1-0 in their quarter final.

The Welsh had been close to qualifying on numerous occasions since 1958 - most notably missing out after controversial penalties in 1977 and 1985, both times against Scotland, before Wales themselves squandered a penalty against Romania in 1993.

Wales broke the trend by qualifying for football's European Championships in 2016 where the Welsh reached the semi-final - before reaching the last 16 of Euro 2020.