Table of Contents
Wales saw a place at Euro 2024 slip away due to an agonizing penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Poland.
Dan James was the tortured soul who saw his penalty saved as the Dragons lost 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Overall it was a lively performance in a lively atmosphere, but Rob Page’s men were unable to secure a place in a third successive major tournament.
Connor Roberts used his lucky charm mustache to make his fortune but it wasn’t to be, but Wales fans enjoyed giving Robert Lewandowski a dressing down.
Tom Collomosse was at the Cardiff City Stadium to tell you six things you may not have noticed.
Wales was left without a place for Euro 2024 after losing on penalties to Wales in Cardiff
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Connor Roberts’ mustache loses its shine
Footballers are a superstitious bunch, which is why Welsh defender Connor Roberts appears to be modeled on Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes.
Hughes was as famous for his handlebar mustache as he was for peppering opposing hitters with short pitches, and Roberts appears to be going down the same path, although he still has a ways to go to match Hughes’ effort.
“I think he’s played about 25 championship games and never lost, so I hope this continues,” he said. “It’s the power of tache, right?” I keep asking my wife if she should shave it, but she likes it, so I leave it at that.
Roberts’ wheezing certainly seems to be working at club level. He was part of the Burnley team that won promotion from the Championship last season and since Roberts moved to Leeds, Daniel Farke’s men have faltered against long-standing leaders Leicester and are now top of the table.
Connor Roberts’ mustache has had an incredible record at club level, but he didn’t deliver here
Wales relies on the Leeds boys
Roberts is one of four Leeds United players who are key members of the Wales squad as Rob Page relies heavily on the Elland Road men.
When he joined Leeds on loan from Burnley in February, Roberts joined international teammates Dan James, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon in the Championship leaders.
It is also worth remembering that John Charles, one of the greatest players British football has ever produced, spent eight outstanding years at Leeds before joining Juventus. He also scored 15 goals in 38 appearances for Wales. So, he’s not a bad role model.
Four Leeds players, including Ethan Ampadu, were part of Wales’ starting XI against Poland
An absence from Cardiff and Swansea
Four players from Leeds, two from Tottenham, but not a single one in Wales’ starting eleven from either of the country’s two biggest clubs.
With Aaron Ramsey on the bench, neither Cardiff nor Swansea were represented in Rob Page’s team in their most important match since the 2022 World Cup.
This says less about the two Welsh greats than about the strength Page now has. Five of his chosen team play in the Premier League, with the Leeds quartet and Ipswich’s Kieffer Moore trying to get there with their clubs.
With Aaron Ramsey on the bench, neither Cardiff nor Swansea were represented in Rob Page’s team
The Pozzo culture of Poland
Poland is quickly gaining a reputation as the Watford of international football, and current manager Michal Probierz is the fourth man in the dugout since Jerzy Brzeczek left in January 2021.
In his place came former Juventus and Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa, who was left out at the end of the year after the arrival of Czeslaw Michniewicz. Michniewicz also lasted just 12 months and his successor Fernando Santos did not stay either.
Now the baton has passed to Probierz, Poland’s fifth coach since Rob Page took charge for his first game for Wales in September 2020.
Michal Probierz is Poland’s fifth coach since September 2020, when Rob Page took charge of Wales. Are they becoming the Watford of international football?
Zalewski rejects Italy
Who would turn down the opportunity to play for their native country, especially when the nation in question is Italy, four-time world champions and double European champions?
That’s exactly what Nicola Zalewski, born near Rome, did when deciding between the Azzurri and Poland. The 22-year-old defender opted for his parents’ native country and played his sixteenth international match with the senior team here.
Nicola Zalewski rejected the possibility of playing for Italy in favor of Poland, the country of birth of his parents
Robert Lewandowski was mocked mercilessly by the home fans in a lively atmosphere
Robert Lewandowski feels the wrath of the Red Dragons
The battle lines were drawn long before the start of the match, when fans of both teams attempted to silence their opponents’ anthem with sustained chants, whistles and boos.
He may not have had classes, but he sure took the atmosphere up a notch. And when Robert Lewandowski failed to score a free kick after colliding with Rodon, the home fans mercilessly mocked the Barcelona star.