Wales took a significant stride towards qualifying for the second round of Euro 2020 as they overcame Turkey after a gripping encounter in Baku.
With a crowd of more than 30,000 in Azerbaijan’s capital city effectively making this a home game for Turkey, Wales responded to the hostile atmosphere with a vibrant, attacking display in which they cut their opponents open at will.
After a host of missed chances in a breathless first half, Gareth Bale played a brilliant lofted pass through the heart of the Turkish defence for Aaron Ramsey, who brought the ball down and finished elegantly.
Although Turkey came back strongly, Wales squandered a glorious opportunity to consolidate their lead when captain Bale ballooned a penalty over the bar.
There were some nervous moments for the Welsh defence as they withstood Turkish attacks – with Danny Ward making a vital late save to deny Merih Demiral.
But Connor Roberts struck from a corner deep in injury time to seal a win that takes Wales to four points with one match left in the group stage.
That final fixture will be in Rome on Sunday against Group A favourites Italy, who face Switzerland later on Wednesday.
Having drawn 1-1 with Switzerland in their opening fixture last Saturday, Wales will keep a close eye on events at the Stadio Olimpico as that match could have a major bearing on their hopes of reach the last 16.
Bale and Ramsey, anonymous against the Swiss, were heavily involved from the start and combined to excellent effect.
Bale found Ramsey with a fine through ball in the sixth minute and, after turning inside Caglar Soyuncu, the Juventus midfielder’s shot at the near post was saved by Ugurcan Cakir.
With Bale swapping wings with Daniel James, an absolute menace for the Turkish defence, there was a purpose and pace to Wales’ game which had been lacking in their opening fixture.
They were constantly creating chances, with James crossing for Kieffer Moore – who headed over – before another Bale through ball set up Ramsey, who rushed and blazed his shot over the bar.
Unaffected by his penalty miss, Bale danced his way into Turkey’s box in added time and laid the ball on to the tireless Roberts, whose clinical low finish silenced the home crowd and left the hardy few hundred Wales fans to celebrate long into the night.
Group A comes to a head on Sunday, when Wales travel to Rome to face Italy while Turkey remain in Baku to play Switzerland, with both matches kicking off at 17:00 BST.
