WALES reached the final of the World Cup play-offs with a 2-1 win at home to Austria.
Gareth Bale scored an epic free-kick and doubles his lead with a brilliant finish in the second half before Marcel Sabitzer pulled one back late on.
- RESULT: Wales 2-1 Austria
- Wales: Hennessey; Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies; C Roberts, Ramsey, Allen, N Williams; Wilson, James, Bale
- Austria: Lindner; Lainer, Hinteregger, Dragovic, Alaba; Seiwald, Laimer; Schlager, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Arnautovic
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That’s all from the Cardiff City Stadium
Wales are just one win away from earning their place in this year’s World Cup!
The Dragons will now face either Scotland or Ukraine in the play-off final in June.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Rob Page reacts
When speaking to Sky Sports, Page said:
“I don’t think it’s sunk in properly yet. What a game, what a night, what an occasion.
“The star man turns up – I have just said to him that’s the best free-kick I have ever seen in my life.
“Two great goals, a deflected goal against makes it an anxious last half hour. But to a man I thought they were outstanding.
“We had to dig deep at the end.
“They thoroughly deserve all the plaudits they are going to get, those players. They are an unbelievable group of men.
“He (Bale) hasn’t played many minutes but at least he has been training day in, day out. Did we anticipate he would play 90 minutes? Probably not. We knew we would get an outstanding hour out of him.
“In the end he cramps up and we take him off.
“We are a cup final away now, that’s it. We prepared like any other game and it was all about Austria. They are a very good team. We are one win away from the World Cup.”
Credit: Getty Elsewhere in the World Cup Qualifiers
European champions Italy WILL NOT compete in this year’s World Cup after being subject to a 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia.
Portugal came out on top in a 3-1 win against Turkey.
Meanwhile, Sweden defeated Czech Republic 1-0.
Aaron Ramsey reacts
When speaking to Sky Sports, Ramsey said:
“It means everything. Playing in front of these (supporters) – what more could you want?
“We’re one game away from the World Cup which is everything for myself, for the nation, for the group of lads. This is what we want.
“We’ve come a very long way since the early days and this would be the icing on the cake now for us to go on and qualify for this.
“We know there is still a bit of work to be done but we can enjoy tonight.”
Credit: Getty Gareth Bale reacts
When speaking to Sky Sports, Bale said:
“It was a massive game. We knew that. We had to perform and dig deep and use our experience in big games. It’s the perfect scenario.
“I can hit a free-kick if I am able to play. It was nice to see it go in. The early goal gave us that momentum and the second one was nice as well.
“I had some cramp at the end which I guess is normal but l will run into the ground for this country and we all did that tonight.
“That’s half the job done. We will enjoy tonight. There is still another tough game against either Scotland or Ukraine and we will be ready for that when it comes.”
Credit: AFP Bale Force
Gareth Bale has scored his seventh direct free-kick goal for Wales, with his first and most recent such goals for the national team being separated by 15 years.
He never fails to deliver for the Dragons!
Full Time – Wales 2-1 Austria
The Dragons deservedly earn their place in the World Cup Qualifying Play-Off final after a superb performance against a strong Austria side.
From the opening minute they continued to play with a high intensity which forced their opposition into making numerous mistakes.
Gareth Bale provided a special performance which will go down in history in the eyes of Wales supporters.
Credit: Reuters Full Time – Wales 2-1 Austria
What a night for Wales!
They are just one win away from a place in the World Cup!
Full Time – Wales 2-1 Austria
They’ve done it!
Wales are one step closer to the World Cup!
Credit: Getty
90+3. Wales 2-1 Austria
Wales make another change.
Mepham comes on for the final minute – he has replaced Bale.
90+2. Wales 2-1 Austria
Austria are throwing everything at Wales in a bid to equalise.
The ball is sent to Arnautovic in the box, but his header falls directly to Hennessey who does not rush to release.
90. Wales 2-1 Austria
Four minutes will be added on…
89. Wales 2-1 Austria
Wales make their first change of the evening.
Johnson comes on to replace James.
88. Wales 2-1 Austria
Lainer is booked for a late challenge on Wilson.
Wales have a free kick in a threatening position, but they are unable to make the most of it.
83. Wales 2-1 Austria
The Dragons are really beginning to look tired now.
Wilson has gone down holding his calf, it looks like some substitutions will have to be made very soon.
77. Wales 2-1 Austria
Austria make two more changes.
Baumgartner is replaced by Weimann.
Schlager is replaced by Lazaro.
74. Wales 2-1 Austria
Bale steps up to take a free kick on the edge of the box.
His effort hits the wall, but the Dragons appeal for handball and a penalty.
However, the referee dismisses the claims.
71. Wales 2-1 Austria
James has a golden opportunity to extend the lead as he finds himself one-on-one with Lindner, but he slows down before lining up the shot, giving Hinteregger time to track back and make the tackle.
Credit: Getty 65. Wales 2-1 Austria
Lainer sends a cross to Sabitzer on the edge of the box.
The midfielder aims his shot towards the bottom corner, but the ball deflects off Davies’ leg and flies over Hennessey and into the goal.
Credit: AFP 64. GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL AUSTRIA!!!!!
Austria are back in it!
62. Wales 2-0 Austria
Austria have made a substitution.
Laimer is replaced by Kalajdzic.
59. Wales 2-0 Austria
Wilson is booked for a clumsy challenge on Schlager.
Austria have a free kick in a dangerous position.
Alaba steps up to take it, but his strike hits the wall.
55. Wales 2-0 Austria
The Dragons almost score a third!
James drives towards goal before aiming a shot towards the bottom corner, but Lindner is able to make the save.
52. Wales 2-0 Austria
He’s done it again! What a finish from Bale!
James sends a cross into the box.
Bale brings the ball down with an excellent first touch before unleashing a wonderful strike into the top right corner from an awkward angle.
Credit: Getty 51. GOOOAAAALLLLLLL WALES!!!!!!!
BALE DOUBLES THE LEAD WITH A SUBLIME FINISH!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
