FIFA World Cup Playoffs final: How to watch Wales vs Ukraine live on June 5, 2022

Topics: TV Schedules, Wales, Ukraine, FIFA World Cup Qualifying

The Ukrainians are 90 minutes away from a fairy tale ticket to Qatar 2022, but in there way are the Dragons, led by the iconic Gareth Bale.

Preview

The FIFA World Cup Path A playoffs final is—finally—here! UEFA's 13th and final representative at Qatar 2022 will be decided this weekend as Wales prepare to face war-torn Ukraine in an interesting match-up scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Cardiff City Stadium.

This fixture was initially set to take place back in March but the invasion of Ukraine forced a delay. However, Gareth Bale and Co. took to the field nonetheless, facing Austria in the semifinals of Path A.

And once again, the former Real Madrid superstar, who confirmed his Santiago Bernabeu exit a few days ago, came to the rescue for his national team, scoring a brilliant brace. An excellent first-half free kick goal, followed by another lovely strike after the break, helped the Dragons to a 2-1 victory.

As a result, Wales are now just 90 minutes away from their first FIFA World Cup qualification since 1958, when they went all the way to the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, Rob Page's side do not enter this tie on the back of victory, having lost their 2022/23 UEFA Nations League opener against Poland.

The playoffs finalists locked horns with Lewandowski and Co. on the back of a nine-game unbeaten streak and were looking to stretch that run to 10 games, but they were unfortunately beaten 2-1. Kaminski and Świderski scored for the Eagles while Jonny Williams bagged the lone goal for the Dragons.

However, it should be pointed out that Page offered his key players much-needed rest, with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey in particular set to return to the lineup this weekend with fresh legs. Will the former Los Blancos and Arsenal men secure a slot at Qatar 2022 for their nation?

Ukraine and neutral football fans in general will be hoping not. Unlike Wales, the Blue and Yellow were not able to rest their key players as they were in action for the playoffs semifinal showdown with Scotland on Wednesday.

As mentioned earlier, this game was supposed to take place back in March but was delayed until June due to the conflict back home. Zinchenko and Co. took to the field over the midweek with the sole aim of making their fans proud, and that is exactly what they achieved, beating the Scottish 3-1.

Ex-West Ham attacker Andriy Yarmolenko broke the deadlock before Yaremchuk and Dovbyk got on the scoresheet in the 49th and 95th minute respectively, with Callum McGregor scoring what turned out to be a consolation goal for the Tartan Army.

Zinchenko stole the show in that victory, with the Man City ace, who typically plays as a left-back, dictating the game from midfield. Oleksandr Petrakov's men are now 90 minutes away from only their second FIFA World Cup qualification since gaining independence, and should they achieve this feat, it would be a remarkable story given the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine.

Team news

Wales: As mentioned earlier, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were rested in the recent 2-1 loss to Poland and should boast fresh legs, but they are not alone, as Joe Allen and Ben Davies were also not risked and should thus return to the lineup. Elsewhere, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu should also reclaim their spots in the starting eleven.

Ukraine: Petrakov's side have no fresh injury concerns. This means Zinchenko will continue to marshal the team from midfield while Yarmolenko will spearhead the attack alongside Yaremchuk.

Key stats

Wales have lost only once in their last 10 games (W4, D5).
Ukraine, on the other hand, have won their last three matches in a row and have not lost since their 4-0 Euro 2020 defeat vs. England.
The Dragons haven't lost any of their last 18 matches at home.
The last time these two nations met was back in 2016 and the Blue and Yellow won that clash 1-0.