Wales 2-1 Austria: Bale sent them through to the play-off final

Gareth Bale remains a top player for one of the teams he plays for, the only one he does it for with all his heart. The 32-year-old superstar scored twice and led Wales to victory 2-1 v Austria in Cardiff (Ben Davis own goal had no effect), for the semi-finals of World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

The second participation of the country in the final stage of the tournament (after 1958) goes through the final of … June, where it will wait for the winner Scotland – Ukraine.

The game in “Millennium” had a good rhythm, with the guests controlling the pace more and the hosts trying to counteract it. In the 25th minute, an excellent foul by Bale put the hosts ahead and ignited the game.

The Austrians found no answer and played with few players in attack and David Alaba in defense.

The second half started again with Real’s Welshman scoring, this time with a left volley from a diagonal position.

The Welshman got a psychological boost from the second goal and started pushing all over the field. In the end, they were unlucky in an organized Austrian attack after Ben Davis put his foot into play when Marcel Zambizer shot and the ball flew so badly that it ended up in the net.

With a weak 2-1 index, the game picked up a very fast pace with both teams looking for the next goal. The hosts got closer and might not have found it in the end, but they did qualify for the final to be played at the same stadium in June against Scotland or Ukraine.

WALES: Hennessy, Abadou, Rodon, Davis, Roberts, Wilson, Allen, Ramsey, Williams, James (88′ Johnson), Bale (90+3′ Mefham)

AUSTRIA: Lindner, Zewald, Hinteregger, Dragovic, Alaba, Slager (77th Lazaro), Limer (55th Kalajdz), Liner (88th Gregoric), Baumgartner (77th Weimaru, Weimaru)