Wales vs Austria LIVE: World Cup play-off result and reaction as Bale double has Wales one game from World Cup
Follow reaction from the Cardiff City Stadium as Wales move one win away from a first World Cup since 1958
Follow all the reaction as Gareth Bale’s brilliant double sees Wales beat Austria 2-1 in the World Cup play-off semi-finals to move just one victory away from Qatar 2022.
Wales will now face either Scotland or Ukraine in the play-off final for a place in Qatar, however, that match has been postponed due to Russia’s continued invasion of the latter. If Rob Page’s men win that, they will reach the World Cup for just the second time in their history and for the first occasion since 1958.
Wales are now unbeaten in eight matches and although there was pre-match doubt over the fitness of Bale - who has played just 77 minutes of competitive football since November - he stepped up to deliver for his country the way he has done so many times before.
He curled in an exquisite free-kick in the first half and made it 2-0 with a snap finish into the corner after the break. Marcel Sabitzer pulled one back for Austria when his shot cruelly deflected in off Ben Davies but Wales held on to move just 90 minutes away from fulfilling their dream.
Follow all the reaction and analysis as Wales beat Austria:
Wales 1 - 0 Austria
43 mins: Marcel Sabitzer and Christoph Baumgartner both have efforts at goal but neither is good enough to trouble Wayne Hennessey. Wales’ first job now is to get to half-time and regroup. They’re playing well but they aren’t in total control of the game.
Wales 1 - 0 Austria
40 mins: Chance! Harry Wilson presses up the pitch and with the help of Dan James wins the ball deep in Austria’s half. He brings it across the pitch and slides Aaron Ramsey into the right side of the box. Ramsey eyes up a shot to the far corner but actually fires one towards the near post. Heinz Lindner isn’t fooled and sticks out his left hand, getting just enough of the ball to tip it into the side-netting!
Fantastic save from the Austrian.
Wales 1 - 0 Austria
37 mins: Laimer tries that ball over to Arnautovic again but Rodon is aware of it this time and slides in to intercept. Austria regain possession and win a free kick over on the right side of Wales’ final third. Alaba curls the set piece into the box but it gets knocked behind for a corner that Gareth Bale then heads clear.
Wales 1 - 0 Austria
34 mins: Close! Arnautovic is sent in behind as Wales push high up the pitch. He starts his run inside his own half and brings the ball under control after it gets flicked on. Joe Rodon tries to get back and catches the Austrian forward. They run shoulder-to-shoulder into the box as Arnautovic’s touch takes the ball away from him. Wayne Hennessey takes his chance and sprints to the ball, jumping on it just before the striker gets there.
Wales 1 - 0 Austria
31 mins: The noise level is slowly rising inside the City Stadium but Wales need to be wary. Stefan Laimer floats an aerial pass into the box from the inside right and picks out Marko Arnautovic. He jumps in front of Neco Williams and nods his headed effort wide of the far post.
Wales 1 - 0 Austria
28 mins: That’s a huge goal for Wales! Can they hold on to this lead and maybe even double it?
Austria win a corner that David Alaba swings into the box. Neco Williams leaps up to glance the ball away and Aaron Ramsey completes the clearance. They sweep forward on the counter-attack by playing Dan James in down the left. He attempts a cross and wins a corner for the home side.
GOAL! Wales 1 - 0 Austria (Bale, 25’)⚽️
25 mins: He scores! What a free kick from Gareth Bale! Bale pulls rank and shoos everyone else away from the set piece. It’s on the inside right just wide of the near post about 23 yards out from goal. Bale whips it over the wall, gets enough curl and dip on the ball and nestles it just underneath the crossbar right in the top corner!
Wales 0 - 0 Austria
22 mins: Free kick to Wales. Wilson darts inside from the right wing and attempts a one-two. He releases the ball and then gets checked by Baumgartner who picks up the first yellow card of the game.
Gareth Bale is going to take this. Prime territory for Wales’ captain.
Wales 0 - 0 Austria
18 mins: Wales had a good period on the ball but couldn’t create any real chances in front of goal and now it’s Austria’s turn for a bit of possession. They’re not going far and Allen recovers the ball in the middle of the pitch. It’s played up to Harry Wilson who flicks it out wide to Neco Williams. He puts in another cross but once again doesn’t find a man in red.
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