European Championship Qualifying 2016: FT: Cyprus 0-1 Wales

Summary

Bale strikes with late header
Wales one win from reaching Euro 2016
Coleman's team at home to Israel on Sunday
1958 since Wales qualified for major tournament

Live Reporting

Neil Johnston

Wales fans out in forcepublished at 18:53
Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
With about 55 minutes to go before kick-off, the GSP Stadium in Nicosia is filling up...
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Breaking team newspublished at 18:49
Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
Three changes to the Wales side that defeated Belgium last time out in the qualifying campaign.
Defender Ben Davies and midfielder Dave Edwards and Andy King start in place of the injured James Chester, Joe Allen and Joe Ledley
Wales XI: Hennessey; Richards, Gunter, Williams, Davies, Taylor; Edwards, King, Ramsey; Bale, Robson-Kanu.
Cyprus XI: Giorgallides; Dossa Júnior, Demetriou, Antoniades, Laifis; Economides, Charalambides, Makridis, Nikolaou; Mytidis.
Image source, .
'Wales can handle the heat'published at 18:47
Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
Baking hot Nicosiapublished at 18:45
Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
BBC Sport's Dafydd Pritchard in Nicosia: "Wales fans have followed their team in their droves during this Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, and tonight’s match in Cyprus might well be the best trip of all for the travelling contingent.
"Buses have been ferrying fans from the clubbing resort of Ayia Napa to Nicosia, and the revellers have brought the party atmosphere with them.
"The streets of Cyprus’ capital city are sprawling with Welsh shirts and flags, the bustling cafes and bars a sea of red.
"The fans will need to pace themselves, though, because it is baking hot here. Having reached 36 degrees celsius earlier, the temperature will only be dropping to 26 when the match kicks off."
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Get Involvedpublished at 18:43
Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
Passionate words from John Hartson but Wales have lost their last two games in Cyprus. Will they blow it again? Or are Chris Coleman's side heading for Euro 2016 next summer? If they do get there how big an achievement will it be for sport in Wales?
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'No chance Wales will mess up'published at 18:40
Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
BBC Radio 5 Live
Quote Message
To think where Wales have come in the last 18 months. They are top of a group that contains Belgium who have the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Benteke, Vincent Kompany and Eden Hazard. Wales have no right to take four points off Belgium. You think they are going to mess it up now? Absolutely no chance. Wales fans book your trains, book your flights...we're off to France."
John Hartson, Former Wales striker
Listen to more from John Hartson.
Joe Ledley out?published at 18:36
Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
Some huge news emerging from the Wales dressing room. Official team news out in a few minutes but here's BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips...
Two wins away from qualifyingpublished at 18:33
Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
Image source, .
Let's get one thing clear from the start. Wales cannot qualify today for next summer's tournament whatever happens in the next three hours.
Seeing as they have not reached a major tournament since 1958, I'm sure they won't mind waiting a few more days to book their spot.
Even with three points in Nicosia and an unlikely defeat for third-placed Israel at home to rock bottom and point-less Andorra, the Dragons can still mathematically be caught.
But Wales can make absolute sure by following up victory over Cyprus with another against Israel in Cardiff on Sunday.
Almost there...published at 18:30
Ryan Giggs missed out. So too Ian Rush and Mark Hughes.
Image source, Getty Images
The likes of Craig Bellamy, John Hartson and Robbie Savage also failed to play for Wales at a major tournament.
Image source, Getty Images
But Chris Coleman's class of 2015 are well on their way to making history. Defeat Cyprus in Nicosia and Wales fans can start thinking about brushing up on their French ahead of Euro 2016.
Image source, Getty Images