Rob Page comments on "cruel" Wales defeat to Poland in Euro 2024 playoff

Rob Page has acknowledged that Wales' heart-breaking defeat to Poland on penalties in Tuesday's Euro 2024 playoff final will "hurt" for some time.

Wales went into the fixture in Cardiff having produced a ruthless performance in seeing off Finland by a 4-1 scoreline in the semi-finals on Thursday.

The hope had been that the Dragons would be able to play in a similar kind of manner, but they were involved in a different type of fixture against Poland.

Although the visitors had the lion's share of possession, Wales had the better of the chances with Kieffer Moore being brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the second half.

Poland had the better of extra time without forcing Danny Ward into a save, setting up a battle from 12 yards to determine who would move on to Germany.

However, after nine successful spot kicks, Daniel James would miss Wales' fifth effort, with his strike being saved by Szczesny which sparked pandemonium within the travelling support.

Poland are through to #EURO2024 ✅

Wojciech Szczęsny saves Dan James' spot kick and Wales bow out 🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/u3HeaLPKmF

— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 26, 2024

Speaking after the game, Page felt that his side deserved to go through instead of their opponents, albeit while backing his squad to bounce back in the future.

Page told S4C: "It's a cruel game, that's what I've said to the players, one kick away from qualifying. It hurts.

"I thought we were the better team, my message to the players at half-time was we are the better team, we will win this game.

"It's so disappointing but look how far we've come, there's something good happening with this group. We rallied around Daniel James, he had the bravery to take that penalty, I am so proud of that group."

When quizzed on his future, Page was defiant, adding: "This team is going somewhere, they're so disappointed that they haven't qualified tonight.

"They're hungry for it, there's a lot more to come and plenty more good times ahead."

Poland join Georgia and Ukraine in qualifying for the competition in Germany, the former getting the better of Greece and the latter edging out Iceland.