Danny Ward’s penalty cheat sheet leaked in Wales dugout seconds before Euro 2024 heartbreak
WALES goalkeeper Danny Ward had his penalty cheat sheet leaked moments before their shoot-out defeat to Poland.
Rob Page’s side were a game away from Euro 2024 after thrashing Finland 4-1 last week.
Goalkeeper Danny Ward looked over a cheat sheet before the penalty shoot-out
He was told which way to dive for certain players
Ward failed to save a single spot-kick as Wales lost the shoot-out 5-4
They only needed to overcome Poland at home to book their place in Germany, but came undone in a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw.
It was a heartbreaking way for Wales to miss out as Leeds star Dan James missed the decisive penalty in a 5-4 shoot-out defeat.
But Ward will also feel bitterly disappointed after failing to save a single spot-kick.
He was even given a cheat sheet to peruse before the shoot-out began – with the keeper being told which way to dive depending on the taker.
One instruction advised the keeper to “go late” – likely for an opponent who likes to delay the moment he kicks the ball.
While the sheet also included a graph showing where Poland players had placed previous penalties they had taken.
But Wales’ homework did not pay off as Poland scored every penalty, with one fan suggesting Ward “never looked like saving any of those penalties”.
Another reacted saying: “I totally understand it’s a bonus if goalkeepers save penalties but Danny Ward would have still been there up until Easter Sunday trying to get a hand on one ”
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A third said: “Danny ward looks like a year 7 in his first season in the big goals.”
And another commented: “Danny Ward was absolutely woeful at pens.”