Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow pulled off a simply incredible save during Wales’ playoff clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
United’s Welsh quartet were in action on Thursday night in a crucial World Cup playoff semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, and Dan James all started as Craig Bellamy looked to take a huge step towards qualifying for the World Cup.
Leeds United’s Karl Darlow makes incredible save for Wales before penalty shootout heartbreak
A crucial night at the Cardiff City Stadium got lift-off in the second half when James raced clear out wide, latching onto a loose Bosnia header and unleashing an unbelievable strike from 30 yards beyond the ‘keeper.
Having caught Nikola Vasilj backtracking, Wales then needed his opposite number Darlow to keep the visitors at bay.
At 1-0, Stuttgart striker and previous Leeds target Ermedin Demirovic thought he’d levelled up on 63 minutes. His header looked goalbound, only for Darlow to perform an incredibly acrobatic save to claw the shot away.
However, Darlow was then left deflated as he failed to meet a cross before Edin Dzeko, who towered in an equaliser late on.
The game ended up going to penalties with Darlow on hand to give Wales a huge advantage, saving the first spot-kick as Harry Wilson put them 1-0 up. After that, Bosnia’s penalties were spotless with Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams fluffing their lines to be knocked out.
While Wales are not heading to the World Cup, Darlow can certainly hold his head high.
Massive blow for Lucas Perri’s Leeds United prospects as Karl Darlow continues to impress
Darlow is now the undisputed starter for club and country. It’s a remarkable turnaround for him since joining Leeds in the summer of 2023 for a bargain £400,000 sum.
He was brought in as backup to Illan Meslier, then required to step in during crunch time last season, which he did superbly well.
The Welshman has since been brought in by Daniel Farke again this season with £16million summer signing Lucas Perri struggling too.
Perri has had a tough time acclimatising to his role in the Premier League. There have been a handful of brilliant saves, but have been outweighed by shaky performances and costly errors.
Meanwhile, Darlow is going from strength to strength at the age of 35. This save and performance only solidifies the idea that Darlow is firmly Leeds’ first choice.
Perri likely has a chance to make that more of a debate in the FA Cup next weekend. Should he perform well on the road against West Ham and help us to Wembley, that’ll go a long way.
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