Gareth Bale's retirement delayed following World Cup qualification

Gareth Bale will no longer announce his retirement from football following Wales' qualification for the World Cup in Qatar. Wales beat Ukraine 1-0 on Sunday in Cardiff. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Gareth Bale inspired Wales to a slim win that guarantees the coveted World Cup ticket on Sunday in a keenly contested game against Ukraine.

It was a gruesome heartbreaking development for the Ukrainians who needed some sort of hope to cling on considering the unrests in every part of the country following the violent invasion of Russia to the nation.

The outgoing Real Madrid forward was poised to announce his retirement from national team football but now has to delay it as he confirms that qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar is the real definition of a dream come true.

Bale saw his free kick deflected home by the unfortunate Andriy Yarmolenko to end Wales’ 64-year wait for a World Cup opportunity in Cardiff; although currently without a club after leaving Madrid last week, the former Tottenham star will now seek a new club to stay in shape ahead of the tournament in November.

Bale was asked of his retirement plans after full time in Cardiff: "Maybe for a little bit!" Bale said. "The result is the greatest in Welsh football history. We're going to a World Cup!

"It means everything, what dreams are made of, we've been working towards it since I first came in here. Words can't describe how we feel at the moment.

"It's what we've been working all our careers for and to do this for the fans, the nation, ourselves and our families is an incredible achievement, and it will be something that we will be forever proud of.

"It means everything. It is the last piece of the jigsaw that we all wanted and we're going to celebrate well tonight."