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Oscar Haley

Dan James celebrates with Wales as Leeds United star helps end 64-year World Cup wait

Dan James will almost certainly be heading to the World Cup later this year after the Leeds United star helped Wales to qualify for Qatar 2022 with a 1-0 win over Ukraine.

The play-off win over Ukraine means Wales have ended their 64-year wait to make it to the World Cup, with James playing 70 minutes for the Dragons at a rain soaked Cardiff City Stadium before being replaced by Leeds target Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest.

James now joins the likes of Raphinha, Kalvin Phillips, Brenden Aaronson, Mateusz Klich and Diego Llorente who have also helped their nations qualify for Qatar 2022.

The Welsh winger could also be joined at the World Cup by Leeds team mate Tyler Roberts, who featured four times for Page's side in qualification. Roberts missed the majority of the second half of the season due to injury but should be fit for the 2022/23 campaign.

Gareth Bale, so often Wales' talisman, again produced the decisive moment with his 34th-minute free-kick headed into his own net by Andriy Yarmolenko.

READ MORE: Barcelona director of football 'to meet' Leeds United amid Raphinha transfer interest

But Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey took the man-of-the-match honours with an outstanding display that kept the gifted Ukrainians at bay.

Head coach Rob Page saluted his players and the fans after seeing them clinch a place at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958.

Page said: "It's unbelievable. I'm so proud of these boys. They thoroughly deserved that. The one thing they needed was a World Cup and they've got it. The fans were incredible. They're the best supporters in world football, I'm telling you. They helped us from the first minute and deserve all the credit.

"I was more excited than nervous before kick-off because I trust these lads. I see them in training and have complete faith in these lads."

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