(Click on any of the links for a more official match report)
Last night, Wales played their first ever World Cup play-off - and won. If it was men's football, that would be enough, but as this is women's football, they have another game to win. The exact specifics of the win are as complicated as everything else, but today, let's just celebrate.
Wales really were much better than the scoreline suggests. They were clearly the dominant side, making attack after attack on the Bosnia-Herzegovina goal. They actually didn't play their best, but they got the result they needed and it's a sign of a good team that they can be at less than their best and still win.
It was also a great victory psychologically. One disallowed goal is always a disappointment, but two disallowed goals can get in your head a bit and make you wonder if you're ever going to score. But Wales didn't just have two disallowed goals. They had FOUR. Obviously, this does raise a few tactical concerns and I can guess some of what will be worked on on the training pitch as Wales prepare for their second play-off, but the fact Wales had four disallowed goals and didn't let it affect them is testament to their mental strength.
Perhaps the only thing more surprising than the number of disallowed goals is how tense the normally unflappable Gemma Grainger looked at times. In theory, I prefer the manage of Wales to be Welsh, but I wouldn't swap Gemma for anyone. She has been outstanding.
For the second time in two games, Wales broke their attendance record, with an incredible 15,200 watching the game. So different from the 'couple of hundred' Sophie Ingle remembers from earlier in her career and Y Wal Goch (the Red Wall) were in great voice, cheering their team on. It was great to see fans of all ages in the crowd, with children staying for extra time despite having school the next day.
It would be very difficult to list all of Wales' many chances in the match, but there were some great ones where Wales were unlucky; some speculative chances that didn't come off but probably were worth trying - and their dogged persistence and determination against a Bosnia side who were excellent in defence led to many more chances. They perhaps rattled the woodwork more than they rattled the Bosnian defence, but they scored the one goal they needed - and there will be lots of players of all genders who can only dream of scoring a goal like that.
Jess Fishlock returned from injury and gave an inspired performance in midfield. She had the first chance of the game, following a free kick from Angharad James and good work from Gemma Evans and Rachel Rowe, who was celebrating her 50th cap. Not long afterwards, Ceri Holland shot straight at the keeper, before Kayleigh Green scored from an offside position - a bit of a running theme in this game.
Although Wales looked the stronger side, Bosnia certainly gave them a few scares. Laura O'Sullivan had little to do in the Wales goal, but when she was needed, she was right there with the save that was needed. Hayley Ladd found herself in the unusual position of having to defend against herself when her header seemed destined for her own net; she got there just in time to clear.
Kayleigh Green had the ball in the net for a second time five minutes after the hour, but again, the assistant referee was not her friend and again she was ruled to be offside. VAR was being used in this match and every goal was checked; three of the four disallowed goals were clearly offside.
The third offside goal came from substitute Ffion Morgan, who injected the game with some fresh spark before thumping what would have been a brilliant goal into the net. The reasons for this offside decision were rather less clear as Ffion herself was not offside and the final touch was from a Bosnian player, but Rhiannon Roberts was offside, and the general consensus is that she was judged to be interfering with play. It could have gone either way, but I can't argue with the decision nearly as much as I'd like to.
Two minutes later, it was Jess Fishlock's turn to put the ball into the net. I didn't waste my energy celebrating; I just waited for the goal to be ruled offside and it was. (I didn't actually see that it was offside, but it was that kind of night.)
The match seemed destined for extra time, but I was just glad to be spared a late Bosnia goal (that kind of thing seems to happen when you're a Wales fan). The players were tiring, some at the point of exhaustion (the fearless Carrie Jones was everywhere for Wales), but neither team gave up.
It was a moment for a big player and Wales' biggest player stepped up: record cap holder and former captain Jess Fishlock. It was an absolutely stunning volley which she literally orchestrated herself. She told Rachel Rowe were to put the free kick, Rachel did as she was told (well, of course she did: this is Jess Fishlock!) and Jess struck the ball perfectly (you can watch it here), lifting it almost gently over the head of the keeper and into the net. Legend.
They had the goal, but Wales didn't let their concentration slip. Jess left the field to a standing ovation and was replaced by Helen Ward - considering her excellent work for Watford, she's quite unlucky to be a substitute, but what a great option to have on the bench at a moment like this. Her calm presence was just what the Wales players needed. Her impressive skills and fresh energy were not what Bosnia needed... but I'm not complaining. Megan Wynne came off the bench in the 120th minute, but there was still time for her to worry Bosnia... and also far too much time for Bosnia to worry Wales.
At last, the final whistle blew. The celebrations were incredible. Wales aren't at the World Cup yet and it won't be easy, but Wales have done more than they've ever done so let's just celebrate this great moment for Wales and women's football.
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