There have been a number iconic Cymru moments that have defined generations of players who have worn the dragon on their shirt over the years.
With a new FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign kicking-off against Kazakhstan on Saturday, we take a look back at two famous World Cup qualifying goals from two Cymru legends.
Cymru 3-0 Spain – 30 April 1985
Mark Hughes and the greatest Cymru World Cup goal
Over the course of his international career, Mark Hughes scored a number of memorable goals during his 72 appearances for his country between 1984 and 1999. However, he is best remembered for one of the first of his 16 goals, as the striker shook the foundations of the Racecourse with his famous volley against Spain in April 1985.
The talented Spanish side arrived at Wrexham with manager Miguel Munoz far from assured of a booking a place at the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico. Spain had claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mike England’s side in Seville earlier in the campaign, but there had been a marked improvement in the performances and results by Cymru since that defeat, registering victories over Iceland and Scotland ahead of this return match.
It was the forward pairing of Hughes and Ian Rush that inspired the optimism and belief amongst fans that this team could finally exorcise the ghosts of 1958, and this would be the night that the duo vindicated their faith. Over 23,000 fans were in attendance on that Tuesday evening, and the celebrations started just before half-time when Rush put his side ahead. The Liverpool striker would score twice in the famous 3-0 win.
However, it was the goal from Hughes early in the second half that would define this fixture for years to come. Representing his country near his home village of Ruabon against the EURO 1984 finalists, the confidence that Hughes had in his own ability at the time was never more apparent than when he found himself in space on the edge of the Spanish area after 53 minutes.
A Cymru free-kick had only been partially cleared as Spain became increasingly desperate to get back into the game, but time stood still as Hughes threw himself into the air. With his body in a horizontal position, Hughes made the perfect connection with a sideways scissor-kick that gave goalkeeper Luis Arconada no chance. It remains a key moment in Welsh football history, but it was Spain that would eventually qualify for the finals while Cymru narrowly missed out yet again.
Cymru 1-0 Ukraine – 5 June 2022
When Gareth Bale ended a 64-year World Cup wait
Gareth Bale was a generational Cymru talent who defined an era of success for the national team, culminating with the goal that sealed qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and with it end a 64-year wait to return to the world stage.
The captain had scored both goals in the play-off semi-final against Austria as Rob Page’s side moved within one match of making history with a 2-1 victory. Ukraine, a nation with the rest of the world in their corner, stood between Cymru and the finals that would take place in Qatar as a packed Cardiff City Stadium welcomed the teams onto the field on an intense June evening.
The history books will show that Bale decided the match in the 34th minute as his free-kick was deflected past goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan, but it was opposite number Wayne Hennessey who proved to be the real Cymru hero on the night. Hennessey would save nine shots on target during the match, a record for the entire qualifying campaign, on what was an inspired night of football destiny.
“These are what dreams are made of, this is the top,” said Hennessey. “It was the best game I’ve played in a Wales shirt. As a boy growing up you watch all the Wales games and we never used to get to major tournaments. So to go to the World Cup is unbelievable. A lot of youngsters have come in, they’ve really gelled, and it’s an exciting time for Wales and to be a supporter.”
“It’s the greatest result in the history of Welsh football,” Bale added. “We’re going to a World Cup! Words can’t describe how we feel at the moment. I’m just delighted we are going to a World Cup. It means everything, it’s what dreams are made of. I’m speechless. I’m so glad we’ve done it for these amazing fans.”
The celebrations lasted long into the night as the players and fans realised the magnitude of what had been achieved. For the first time since Jimmy Murphy and his squad competed at the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Cymru would finally find themselves back on the biggest stage of all. However, it would also mark the end of Bale’s incredible football career as he announced his retirement a month after the tournament ended.
Cymru v Kazakhstan
Be part of The Red Wall
