Ex-Liverpool star misses penalty in shootout as nation suffers World Cup agony

Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson missed penalties in a shootout as Wales was beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina in a World Cup qualifier playoff in Cardiff on Thursday

Neco Williams missed a penalty in the shootout(Image: Getty Images)

The stands erupted into pandemonium while the technical areas descended into disorder, affecting both Brennan Johnson and former Liverpool star Neco Williams.

Under the immense strain of a penalty shootout, Johnson and Williams missed their spot-kicks and, remarkably, Wales managed to turn victory into defeat at the final hurdle. It was a devastating defeat. Wales had been mere minutes from securing a fixture against Italy when Edin Dzeko's late header equalized Dan James's brilliant strike.

Before the decisive shootout, Wales coach Craig Bellamy — another former Liverpool star — had made a straightforward pledge: "We're going all out — we ain't sitting back."

This proved partially accurate. While his side didn't retreat, they weren't exactly all-out attack either.

To be fair, deploying former Liverpool winger Harry Wilson as a false nine made an aggressive approach challenging. Indeed, given the tense atmosphere — with smoke from the away supporters and chanting from the home faithful — the opening passages were relatively cautious.

Despite Bellamy's declaration, this was unsurprising considering what hung in the balance, and Wales naturally required time to adjust to the tactical setup.

Williams' miss proved costly(Image: Getty Images)

Wilson's impressive campaign has predominantly unfolded on the right wing, and unsurprisingly, he gravitated toward that area regularly. With positive results.

Wilson possesses that rare quality of being telegraphed yet undefendable. He transforms the obvious into the irresistible. Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj anticipated Wilson's move to shift the ball onto his left foot and bend it toward the far top corner, yet found himself frozen to the spot, relieved as the superb strike rebounded off his post.

That moment represented the first half's nearest brush with a goal, with yellow cards far exceeding scoring chances. Bosnia and Herzegovina's defensive strategy clearly involved countering speed with strength.

That former Arsenal enforcer Sead Kolasinac managed to avoid a booking beyond the half-hour mark was nothing short of remarkable. Following a body-check on Dan James, he eventually became the third Bosnian player cautioned. The match evolved into one where the cynical foul reigned supreme.

Beyond that, Bosnia offered precious little attacking intent. They genuinely appeared to be a team deployed with only extra-time and penalties in mind. Bellamy's side required patience and a moment of magic. Early in the second period, that moment materialized through Dan James.

Benjamin Tahirovic's error seemed relatively harmless, but the Leeds wide man set himself up for a long-range half-volley with a touch, and the unexpected nature of the shot caught out Vasilj, whose stumble proved decisive.

However, the goalkeeper's blunder shouldn't overshadow James's creativity, as he was only prevented from doubling his tally by the underside of the crossbar moments later. Bosnia needed to push forward, and only a brilliant save from Karl Darlow denied Ermedin Demirovic from nodding the visitors level on 60 minutes. It was an exceptional stop.

If James' strike deserved to settle the contest, Darlow's intervention was equally crucial in maintaining the advantage. Yet he remained alert and produced another fine save to deny a powerful attempt from Kerim Alajbegovic.

Nevertheless, the sustained pressure eventually paid off as former Manchester City forward Dzeko, 40, directed home his 73rd international goal from a corner on 87 minutes to take the match into extra-time.