Gareth Bale hailed Wayne Hennessey as one of the best goalkeepers in the world following his heroic performance as Wales booked their place at the 2022 World Cup.
The 35-year-old made only two Premier League appearances for Burnley in the 2021/22 season but showed little sign of rust as Rob Page’s side ended a 64-year wait to make it to the world’s biggest sporting competition.
Hennessey made nine saves in Cardiff to keep an impressive Ukraine out and vindicated Page’s decision to select him over Danny Ward.
Like many of his international teammates, the Burnley stopper has been on quite the journey with the national side.
Handed his debut in 2007, Hennessey was part of the squad who made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, playing all but one of their games.
In just five months, he will travel to Qatar to contest a group stage Wales will be confident they can progress from, with the United States, Iran and England drawn against them.
Speaking to media after the win, Bale said: “Can I just say one thing first, this guy’s performance is the best I have ever seen to date from a goalkeeper.
“He doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves. [It was] not just nine saves - they were important saves, big saves, they kept us in the game.
“I know people talk about other keepers, but I would not swap him [for any goalkeeper] in the world.”
