Wales 2-1 Azerbaijan: Bale bails fortunate Wales out of trouble
Gareth Bale celebrates the winning goal. (Image: Will Cheshire)
Gareth Bale rescued Wales as he helped them to victory over Azerbaijan.
Pavlo Pashayev had given Wales a first-half lead through an own goal but Mahir Emreli brought Azerbaijan level just before the hour mark. Bale’s header put Wales back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats.
Wales move up to third, following Croatia’s hammering of Slovakia in Trnava.
The hosts dominated possession but failed to create any meaningful chances, mustering just four attempts on goals.
Wales offered the first threat on goal. Tom Lawrence’s first-time volley was scooped over the bar after Gareth Bale’s low cross.
Dmitri Nazarov and Maksim Medvedev both attempted speculative efforts but Wayne Hennessey was unthreatened.
Wales went in front in fortuitous fashion, with an Azerbaijani player scoring for them through an error.
Bale’s untroubling shot was shouldered in by the unfortunate Pavlo Pashayev, ending up in the net of Salahat Aghayev who didn’t anticipate the defenders backpass.
Lawrence shot straight at Aghayev in stoppage time in Wales’ only chance after the opening goal.
Ryan Giggs side were keeping the ball well but weren’t offering anything in the final third as they continued to overcomplicate attacks.
Azerbaijan got back on level terms with one of their rare threatening attacks. Mahir Emreli ran through the Welsh defence and tucked in a shot on the rebound after Hennessey initially blocked his advances.
Emreli’s leveller frustrated Wales who began to chase the game, creating gaps for the counter-attack heavy Azeris.
Wales retook the lead in the final five minutes in scruffy fashion.
Gareth Bale rose highest to header Wales in front with his effort cannoning under the crossbar, facing an anxious wait for the referee and linesman to award the goal.
It was a nervy few minutes for Wales to withstand the Azerbaijani attacks. Wales players grew sloppy in possession, conceding possession cheaply.
Agabala Ramazanov with the last effort of the match struck straight into Hennessey after attempting to beat him at his post.
Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Connor Roberts, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Neil Taylor (Ben Davies 80), Joe Allen, Ethan Ampadu (Sam Vokes 74), Harry Wilson (Jonny Williams 62), Tom Lawrence, Dan James, Gareth Bale.
Azerbaijan: Salahat Aghayev, Bahlul Mustafazade, Maksim Medveded, Pavlo Pashayev, Gara Garayev, Richard Almeida (Rasha Eyubov 68), Shahriyar Rahimov (Tamkin Khalilzade 72), Dmitri Nazarov (Agabala Ramazanov 85), Mahir Emreli, Ramil Sheydaev.
(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)
