Wales ended their 64-year wait for a place at the World Cup after they saw off Ukraine 1-0 in the playoff final played on Sunday evening at the Cardiff Stadium.
Gareth Bale was once again the hero of the day as his deflected free-kick proved the difference much to the jubilation of the home fans.
The match got off to a slow start, with the visitors the better side in the opening quarter of an hour or so.
Oleksandr Zinchenko had a free-kick effort ruled out after he was deemed to have taken it too quickly.
Despite the Ukrainians controlling the proceedings early on, it was Wales who took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Andriy Yarmolenko turned Bale’s freekick into his own net.
Ukraine had a penalty shout turned down by the referee after Joe Allen appeared to bring down Yarmolenko inside the box.
Wales came close to doubling their lead early in the second half but Aaron Ramsey’s effort flashed inches wide of the post.
Ukraine’s Viktor Tysgankov then forced Wayne Hennessey into a world-class save with an attempted poke from eight yards out midway through the second half.
Both sides had half-chances to find the back of the net, but it was Wales that held on for the win to send them through to the final set for November/December 2022.
Wales will now join England, Iran, and the USA in Group B.
