Summary

  • Wales take major step towards Euro 2016

  • Wales three points clear at top of Group B

  • Bale converts after defensive error

  • Goal comes in forward's 50th Wales cap

  1. Postpublished at 22:15 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Paul DummettImage source, Twitter
  2. Manager reactionpublished at 22:14 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Chris ColemanImage source, Reuters

    Wales boss Chris Coleman, speaking to Sky Sports: "We have been fighting for a long time for an atmosphere like this, I have certainly never witnessed one like it.

    "It was not one of our best performances but we just dug in. That is what we do when we don't play well, we sacrifice some imagination but dig in as a team. We stood up to what Belgium wanted to do. To do anything tonight we needed everything, we couldn't hold back and we got that and more.

    "Jazz Richards made his debut against Eden Hazard in Brussels, he had a terrific game. He has played plenty of games in the Premier League, he takes big games in his stride. We needed brave players tonight.

    "Even if we came away without the points, we wanted to get the supporters back on our side, to be proud of the football team and they will not see a more committed group of players.

    "It is a great win. It is a huge step forward to us qualifying and our lads can't wait to get back in and play the next two qualifiers. We defended like demons and the fans were incredible."

  3. Postpublished at 22:13 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    "Our lads cant' wait to get back to it now," says Wales coach Chris Coleman of his players and their qualification campaign.

    This is Gareth Bale's 54th game of a season that started exactly 10 months ago with Real Madrid's Uefa Super Cup win over Seville on 12 August 2014.

    I think he will be able to give it a couple of months.

    More Coleman quotes to come.

  4. Postpublished at 22:06 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    WalesImage source, Getty Images

    Wales' next games after beating Belgium 1-0? Cyprus away on 3 September and Israel at home on 6 September…

  5. Text us on 81111published at 22:04 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Mikey D: Haven't heard the Welsh anthem sang so loud at a football match before. So proud to be Welsh let it continue all the way to the Euros

    Richard Jenkins: This is a brilliant result not just for 2016 Euro Champs but also for the 2018 World Cup. The draw next month takes FIFA rankings into contention for seeding. Beating the number 2 in the World will do Wales no harm seeding wise.

  6. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 22:01 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    David Robinson: If NI, Wales, England, ROI and Scotland all somehow make it to France, it'll be incredible and it's not impossible.

    Dafs: Difference between England & Wales - England = a team playing as 11 individuals, Wales = 11 individuals playing as a team.

  7. Player reactionpublished at 22:00 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Ashley williamsImage source, Getty Images

    Wales captain Ashley Williams: "We knew all about their attacking threat but we deserved a clean sheet. We knew once we were 1-0 up we could keep any team out. Then it was all about desire.

    "The stadium was bouncing from the warm-up. When you work that hard you've got to enjoy these moments.

    "I said to the players at the end that we've come this far but we need to stay focused and we've given ourselves a great chance of qualification."

  8. Postpublished at 21:59 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Welsh Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas:, external "What a result!!! Managed to get 5live in the end. Got to love @RobbieSavage8 commentary. Even [team-mate] Danny Pate got excited there #americansdontusuallydo1-0s"

  9. Elsewhere in Europepublished at 21:55 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Antonio CandrevaImage source, AP

    Croatia and Italy drew 1-1 in a top-of-the-table game in an empty Split stadium.

    The hosts, who remain two points clear of second-placed Italy, played with no fans following trouble at their last home game against Norway.

    Mario Mandzukic missed a penalty but then opened the scoring for Croatia.

    The striker then handled with Antonio Candreva chipping in a leveller from the spot, before Croatia's Darijo Srna was sent off for a second booking.

    Norway remain third, two points behind Italy, after being held 0-0 by Azerbaijan.

    Bulgaria are now within two points of the Scandinavians after beating bottom side Malta 1-0 through Ivelin Popov's volley.

  10. Player reactionpublished at 21:54 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Gareth BaleImage source, Getty Images

    Man of the match Gareth Bale, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's hard to put it into words. We prepared well, played some good football and battled in every area. After 70 minutes I was gone. The gaffer said to leave nothing out there on the pitch and we did that. Now we can enjoy our summer.

    "We know the position we're in and we'll enjoy this evening. There's a long way to go but when the next game comes along we'll be ready to do the business."

    Midfielder Aaron Ramsey: "Everyone worked their socks off. We prepared amazingly all week. The fans came in their numbers and we put a show on for them. We hope we did them proud."

  11. Postpublished at 21:53 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have just had a quick word with the television cameras.

    Both paid full tribute to the atmosphere in the bubbling Cardiff City Stadium.

  12. Top of the tablepublished at 21:51 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Table

    How do you like those apples Wales fans?

    What looked like a tricky group - with 2014 World Cup qualifiers Belgium and Bosnia - is now more than halfway through.

    And Wales are bossing it.

    Cyprus away on 3 September and Israel at home on 6 September are next.

  13. Postpublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Robbie Savage
    BBC Radio 5 live

    "Yes, Gareth Bale is a superstar but when he comes into this squad he is one them and it shows when they play. There are no cliques in this squad."

  14. Elsewhere in Europepublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Luciano NarsinghImage source, Reuters

    The Netherlands moved to within three points of the automatic qualification places in Euro 2016 qualifying Group A with a hard-fought win over Latvia.

    They dominated but had to wait 67 minutes for Georginio Wijnaldum's opener with Luciano Narsingh scoring a second four minutes later.

    Iceland are the new leaders of the group after coming from behind to beat Czech Republic 2-1 and overtake their visitors.

    The Nordic side have never qualified for a major tournament before. But they are now five points above the third-placed Dutch with four games left.

    Turkey had briefly overtaken the Dutch into third with their 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan courtesy of Arda Turan's late goal.

  15. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 21:41 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Belgium players at full-timeImage source, Getty Images

    Pat O'Hara: Belgium 2nd best in the world? At what making chocolate. They've improved but come on.....

    Mark Hampson: Yeeeees! Defo booking a holiday around Europe next summer! Never thought I'd live to see the day, Wales are going to the Euros!

    Dave Sommerville: They were all magnificent but how committed was Gunter tonight? You could see what it meant to the Welsh players.

  16. Postpublished at 21:41 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Wales players huddleImage source, Reuters

    Gareth Bale beckons the players in from the sidelines and back into the centre circle.

    Not wanting a Steven Gerrard-style "this does not slip" moment captured for fate to mock, he waves away a lurking television camera.

    But captain Ashley Williams' speech to his team must have been along those lines.

  17. Postpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Robbie Savage
    BBC Radio 5 live

    "Number two in the world? You are having a laugh, Wales battered them. There are 11 heroes out there. We are there, at Euro 2016, we'll take anyone on."

    Not quite there yet, Robbie, but getting very close.

  18. Postpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Joe Ledley and James Chester celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Start the party! This is going to be the mother and father of all Friday nights in Cardiff... and that city has seen some Friday nights.

    The Welsh bench rushes out the dug-out and then celebrates as one leaping, gleeful mass.

  19. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:36 British Summer Time 12 June 2015

    Ashley Williams celebratesImage source, Getty Images