FULL TIME
And that is that! Wales did exactly what they needed to do and managed to stay strong to close out the game despite a relentless fight from Austria. Cardiff City stadium sets off in rampant applause. The Wales bench erupt but Bale looks like he knows there is more to do.
90′ Just four to go
The fourth official indicates four minutes of injury time. Not sure if the nerves of Cardiff City stadium can put up with much more. Some slick Austrian passing nearly gives an open shot for the Austrian striker but Davies is there to mop it up as he has been throughout this game so far.
87′ Johnson on
Huge applause as James departs for Brennan who is winning his eighth cap this evening.
86′ Hennessey collects
A looping cross from Alaba on the left wing finds the grateful hands of the welsh keeper and lets off some of the Austrian pressure.
80′ Austria momentum
The away side are pressing and threatening the Welsh back line which is sat deep. Austria will keep wanting to pile pressure with passing Football. Wales just need to keep their shape.
75′ Last 15 minutes
With just a quarter of an hour to play there is no clear winner yet. Both sides showing great signs of momentum so it looks like we are in for a tight end to this play-off.
73′ Another Bale free kick
Bale finds himself with a free kick on the edge of the box again but it is planted into the body of the Austrian wall. Calls for handball echo, you see them given.
69′ Spring in their step
The goal has given the away side a new lease of life as they are looking more confident with pressing the Welsh defence. After winning a corner they lose it straight away and Wales send James on a run from the halfway line, but just in front of goal he loses possession and Linder collects.
65′ Austria goal!
Austria race back into the game as Lainer finds possession on the left hand side and passes into Sabitzer who takes a shot from just on the edge of the box. It takes a deflection but still makes it 2-1 Wales. Everything to play for here.
64′ Bale run
A dangerous run down the right from Bale piles pressure onto the Austrian defence who are unable to keep up with him. But his shot goes over.
58′ Austria free kick
The ball is all red at the moment with Austria unable to secure possession for very long. But the away side have won a free kick on the edge of the box after Schlager is tripped. All Alaba manages to do is hit the wall and the ball is launched clear.
51′ BALE gets his second!
Bale scores for Wales. It is a wonderful build up for Wales with James chasing down an Austria pass which first applies the pressure. He threads it through to Bale who’s shot is deflected. From the corner the defence fail to get it out and Bale finds it from ten yards out and smashes it home. Wales 2-0 Austria.
46′ Austria gain possession
It is the away side who are getting the first stint of possession in this second half. This is something they were not able to do in the opening 45. But they manage to find Sabitzer on the right wing who chips a cross onto the head of Arnautovic but his header just goes wide.
We are back
And we are underway again in this World Cup play-off match at Cardiff City Stadium between Wales and Austria. A play-off final awaits the winner of this game so let’s see what the second half brings. It is the home side who are going to get us underway again! Let’s go.
HALF TIME
And it is Wales who go in with a lead at the break after a stunning Gareth Bale free kick on the edge of the box. Austria need to find some inspiration from somewhere in the second half.
43′ Ben Davies taken down
A wayward pass from Hennessey to Davies nearly puts him in trouble but Davies skilfully wins the foul with four Austrian players crowding him. He is having a great evening so far at left-back.
38′ Austria win free kick
A lack of discipline by Neco Williams deep in his own half awards the away side a free kick which sees an attempted punch by Hennessey on his 99th cap into the head of his own player and behind for an Austria corner. This is easily dealt with by wales who push it upfield to the Austrian defence but it is won by Bale who passes to Ramsey who runs and shoots just wide.
35′ Roberts and Wilson collide
Two Wales players collide and go down after a miscommunication sees them knocking into each other on the halfway line.
30′ Austria need possession
This opening half an hour has been all Wales, Austria have not been able to get through the opposition as of yet. They need to get more of the ball to get them back in the game.
24′ WALES GOAL!
And it is that man Gareth Bale who gets the first goal of this game. A reckless foul on the edge of the box allows Madrid’s Bale with a free kick on the right corner of the box which he delicately glides into the upper right corner of the Austria net. Cardiff City Stadium erupts.
18′ Neco Williams with a run
Some excellent footwork on balance from Williams on the left side of the box allows Williams to place a cross in but it is unable to find another red shirt as Wales nearly find a way through.
15′ Wales press
The home side are putting all the pressure on at the moment. A slick cross from the left from Aaron Ramsey nearly finds the head of Gareth Bale but it is just out of his grasp. Austria manage to regain the ball but a ill disciplined foul by the Austrian captain on the Welsh captain means Wales find themselves again with the ball. Nothing separates the sides after the first 15.
4′ Nervous Start
It is a nervous start from the away side with a wayward pass from the keeper which finds an eager Roberts lurking on the right hand wing. He fires a shot but it safely glides into the keeper’s hands.
Kick off
And we are underway at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Welcome
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of this World Cup play-off between Wales and Austria. We will be posting every update here as it happens!
TEAM News:
Here is your team news for tonight:
Starting for Wales is: 1) Hennessey 15) Ampadu 6) Rodon 4) Davies 14) Roberts 8) Wilson 7) Allen 10) Ramsey 3) N Williams 20) James 11) Bale
Starting for Austria: 12) Linder 16) Seiwald 4) Hinteregger 3) Dragovic 8) Alaba 23) Schlager 20) Laimer 21) Lainer 19) Baumgartner 9) Sabitzer 7) Arnautovic
