Wales vs Belarus LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, final score and reaction tonight
Wales 5-1 Belarus: Aaron Ramsey’s double inspired a big win on Gareth Bale’s 100th cap
Wales moved clear in second place in World Cup qualifying Group E with a 5-1 home rout of Belarus on Saturday, as Gareth Bale earned his 100th cap for his country.
Aaron Ramsey scored twice for the hosts in Cardiff with Neco Williams, Ben Davies and Connor Roberts also on target as the Welsh boosted their hopes of finishing runners-up behind group winners Belgium who beat Estonia.
Wales are already guaranteed a place in the March playoffs to earn a place in next year’s Qatar finals having won their Nations League section. But finishing second in Group E could give them a better chance of a home draw.
Real Madrid’s Bale, Wales’s all-time top scorer, lasted only the first half of his 100th appearance before being withdrawn with a calf injury.
But by that stage Wales were already in command.
It took them only two minutes to go in front, as Ben Davies’s crisp volley was parried out by Belarus keeper Syarhey Chernik and Ramsey converted the rebound.
Williams doubled their lead in the 20th minute when he was played in by Bale and embarrassed Chernik with a near-post shot.
Ramsey coolly converted a penalty awarded for handball in the 50th minute to become only the sixth player to score at least 20 goals for Wales, and Davies then bundled in his first, on his 68th appearance for his country.
Artem Kontsevoi scored a late consolation for Belarus with a dipping shot, but Roberts completed the scoring as he touched in a Harry Wilson corner in the last minute.
Wales host Belgium in their final group game on Tuesday trailing the world number one nation by five points but with a three-point lead over third-placed Czech Republic.
A draw will be enough to seal the runners-up spot. The Czechs finish off against Estonia.
Wales coast to victory over Belarus as Gareth Bale wins 100th international cap
Wales coasted to a 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Belarus on a night when Gareth Bale celebrated his 100th cap.
Neco Williams, Ben Davies and Connor Roberts added to an Aaron Ramsey brace as Wales climbed above the Czech Republic into second place and boosted their goal difference into the bargain.
Wales coast to victory over Belarus as Gareth Bale wins 100th international cap
The Dragons moved above the Czech Republic into second place in their qualifying group.
Reaction from Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey spoke to Sky Sports after the game and discussed Wales’ performance, Gareth Bale’s injury and a big match to come against Belgium. He said:
We did what we wanted to do. We wanted to be on the front foot early in the game and we managed to do that. It was difficult, it’s not always easy to play against a low block when they get a lot of players behind the ball but we did what we had to do. It was amazing to be back in front of our home fans.
“We’ll take that into Tuesday’s game now, which will be a massive game. We’ll be back here in front of our fans so hopefully we can have another special result.
“[On Gareth Bale’s injury] I’m not quite sure but I think it’s more of a precaution. Hopefully he’ll be good to go on Tuesday. We’re in a position now where we can finish second so we’re looking forward to it. We’ve had some great battles with Belgium over the years so hopefully we can have another great night here.”
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Wales 5 - 1 Belarus
On his 68th cap for Wales, Ben Davies scored his first ever goal for the national side as Wales demolished Belarus 5-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales 5 - 1 Belarus
The Welsh players celebrate with the Wales fans, there are smiles galore and Gareth Bale is being celebrated for making it to 100 international caps.
It wasn’t a perfect night for Wales, Bale himself had to leave the pitch with a calf injury, Ethan Ampadu picked up a yellow card and will miss the next game and the Belarus goal may come back to haunt Rob Page’s side if second place has to be decided by goal difference.
Wales 5 - 1 Belarus
With a brace this evening Aaron Ramsey (20 goals) is the sixth player to reach 20+ for Wales after Gareth Bale, Ian Rush, Trevor Ford, Ivor Allchurch and Dean Saunders.
Full-time: Wales 5 - 1 Belarus
90+3 mins: There goes the final whistle and Wales get the job done. They needed to win tonight and they’ve done so in style. It’s the first time they’ve scored five goals in a game since 2007.
They move back to second in Group E and need just one point against Belgium on Tuesday to secure second place in the group and potentially set up a home tie in the World Cup play-offs.
Wales 5 - 1 Belarus
90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
Wayne Hennessey is brought on right at the death for Wales replacing Danny Ward in goal. It’s a weird change but Hennessey moves a step closer to 100 appearances for Wales himself. He’s now on 98.
GOAL! Wales 5- 1 Belarus (C. Roberts, 89’)⚽️
89 mins: Wales restore their four goal lead! The home side win a free kick over on the right hand touchline, deep in the final third. Harry Wilson swings the set piece into the box and finds Connor Roberts who makes a run to the near post and squeezes in front of Nikita Naumov to get the faintest of touches on the ball and turn it into the net!
GOAL! Wales 4 - 1 Belarus (Kontsevoy, 87’)⚽️
87 mins: What a goal! It’s not going to be a perfect outing for Wales as Belarus claw back a goal with a brilliant goal from Artem Kontsevoy. He’s just been brought onto the pitch and receives the ball over to the left side of the pitch. He comes inside and blasts a shot from outside the box. There’s a bit of swerve that takes the effort after from Danny Ward and the shot finishes in the far top corner. Great goal.
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