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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Wales' 15 minutes of unbridled joy that unfolded as unbearable tension turns to delirium for a whole nation

Wayne Hennessey, the match hero, sprints in a half-circle akin to a proverbial headless chicken.

The goalkeeper produced arguably his greatest-ever display on his 102nd cap, pulling off save after save to keep a clean sheet which ensured Wales shutout Ukraine to book their place at the World Cup in Qatar following Andriy Yarmolenko's own goal.

Emotions flooded out from every single player in red, although they simply did not know what to do, even with confirmation of their success being proudly displayed on the big screens. 'Cymru ar ben y byd' (Wales on top of the world) it read.

READ MORE: Wales 1-0 Ukraine: Rob Page's men end 64 years of pain as World Cup qualification sealed

Aaron Ramsey wastes no time in walking over to his loved ones in the stands, blowing kisses as he does so. The entire coaching staff have already darted on to the centre of the pitch to embrace the men who had etched their names into Welsh football folklore.

Cardiff City Stadium becomes engulfed in red smoke that pours from the pyrotechnics smuggled in by some members of the Red Wall. Amid the pandemonium of it all, respect shines through. Emphatically so.

Ben Davies, who produced a sublime individual display, embraced heartbroken Yarmolenko while the Ukrainians did their level best to pick each other up off the drenched turf, each and every one of the men in blue having already been consoled by Gareth Bale.

'Together we are stronger' read a message on the stadium's two giant screens, a statement plastered on top of the national flag of Ukraine. Tears streaming down their faces, the visitors struggle to contain their emotions as thoughts swiftly turn to their loved ones amid what is a tragic situation in their own country.

The men in yellow clap in unison with their own supporters. Wales fans show their own class by joining in, with Wales players then applauding the 1,800 Ukrainians in the away end after the away players had left the field of play.

Back with their own coaching staff and loved ones, Joe Rodon's nod to Gareth Bale shows the immense respect Wales have for their talisman. Rodon wastes no time in getting the captain's armband back around the bulging bicep of Bale who was substituted late on in the contest.

Diolch i'r Wal Goch (Thank you to the Red Wall) reads the board placed just off the centre circle. Ready for Wales to jump behind. They do so, oh so willingly. This time, joined by one of the pre-match stars, Dafydd Iwan, the man who embodies the pride of what it means to be from this sweet and beautiful country.

Having already belted out a rendition of Yma o Hyd before the game, Iwan this time grabs the microphone to do so while being warmly embraced by the soaked celebrating Wales stars. This time, he's slightly out of sync with the stadium's PA system, but music icon Iwan ploughs on regardless as those around him - some now wearing bucket hats - and those in the stands join in.

Iwan, belting out his famous tune with some gusto, shakes the hands of several Wales players, including Bale who now has his baby daughter in his arms. Daniel James does the same with his young boy, born just shy of nine months ago and unable to process the extreme magnitude of the events that were unfolding around him.

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But the man behind the entire achievement gets his shot in the limelight, not that he's ever wanted or asked for it. The small television monitors in the press box show Rob Page belting out Yma o Hyd with both arms aloft, and then the party mode - which no doubt will continue long into the night - fully kicks in.

Zombie Nation plays for the first time since the pre-match build-up, but there is a major difference this time. Those on the pitch can join in. And join in they do. Diminutive James is hauled on to the shoulders of Danny Ward. Quite literally bouncing off each other in a cluster, the entire squad pump their bodies to the tune that has become synonymous with Wales since the days of Chris Coleman.

And it was a dance that proved to be the closing theme for Wales' finest hour as they exited the pitch, smiles on faces, hugs galore, and Ramsey proudly wearing the national flag around his waist while once again acknowledging his loved ones.

This was their night. This was our night. Little old Wales had done it. And boy it was beautiful.

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