Summary

  • McClean double gives Republic victory

  • Long also on target for visitors

  • Italy grab late winner at Macedonia

  • Wales hang on to draw with Georgia

  • Spain win at Albania

  1. Postpublished at 37 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Wales lead but Georgia are very much in this game.

    Jano Ananidze, who curled over a couple of minutes ago, finds team-mate Valerian Gvilia outside the area. The BATE Borisov man takes a touch before opening up his body and curling a shot towards goal, but it lacks pace and Wayne Hennessey can claim with ease.

    Wales boss Chris Coleman will be worried about how easily they were opened up on the right-hand side there.

  2. HITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 35 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Ooh, so near, yet so far.

    Spartak Moscow midfielder Jano Ananidze curls a sumptuous free-kick over the wall and past the reach of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, but it's a couple of inches too high, clipping the top of the crossbar and going over.

    Unlucky, but a let-off for Wales who need to cut out the errors, or they will find themselves in trouble.

    Jano Ananidze curls a free-kickImage source, Getty Images
  3. Postpublished at 33 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Georgia do knock the ball around nicely between them and can caught problems if they move it a little quicker.

    They earn a free-kick right on the edge of the box as Andy King is adjudged to have handled the ball while challenging with Valerian Gvilia.

  4. Elsewhere in Europe...published at 17:33 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Another goal elsewhere in Europe, this time it is Mario Mandzukic who bags for Croatia. His close-range header has given his side the lead in Finland. Mandzukic has now scored four goals in two games for Croatia. On fire.

  5. Postpublished at 17:32 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

    Both teams seem content with the dip in pace and intensity since Wales' goal - oddly perhaps in the case of Georgia, who aren't showing much urgency in their search for an equaliser.

    That said, Gareth Bale has just set off on another of his signature surging dribbles - no lack of urgency there.

    Gareth BaleImage source, Rex Features
  6. Postpublished at 29 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Defending at one end to attacking at the other.

    The Georgia backline are shivering in their little boots as they see Real Madrid man Gareth Bale galloping towards them at full speed.

    The former Spurs man picked the ball up on halfway and sprinted into the opposition box, but his low shot from the angle was blocked by Solomon Kverkveliya.

  7. Postpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    WalesImage source, .

    Wales look comfortable, and the most dangerous, but it is Georgia who have the edge in terms of possession. Crucially, though, not where it counts. The ball has been in and around the Wales area just 16.5% of the game so far.

  8. Postpublished at 26 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Neither side creating any chances at the moment. Wales are happy with how it is going so far, sitting back on their advantage with Georgia playing the ball in front of them.

    The organised back line of five defenders and two midfielders in front is proving difficult to penetrate though.

    Manager Chris Coleman chomps furiously on his chewing gum on the touchline but he won't be too concerned about anything at the moment.

  9. Elsewhere in Europe...published at 17:26 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Only two goals to bring you from elsewhere in Europe, both in the game between Israel and Liechtenstein and both scored by Israel's Tomer Hemed.

  10. Postpublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    John Hartson
    Ex-Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 live

    Wales look very comfortable. They are passing the ball well and the players are all keen to get touches.

    Bale is playing off Sam Vokes in a slightly free role with the license to go and affect the game. 

    There has been nothing from Georgia going forward but that is partly down to how well Wales have been playing.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    #bbcfootball

    Jamey C Barron: Could Bale go in goal? He'd still score, but it would make it a bit more unpredictable!

  12. Wales at it again...published at 17:24 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Ahh, the good, old 3-8 look from Wales...

  13. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Georgia have their first shot of the game, but it is a hopeful effort from way out by Legia Warsaw midfielder Valeri Kazaishvili, whose left-footed effort is dragged off target.

    The umpire would have signal wide for that one. Wayward stuff.

  14. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    #TogetherStronger is the motto and you can see that in action for the Wales side.

    Georgia made their way into the final third of the pitch for the first time, but midfielders Andy King and Joe Ledley had tracked back, as the Crystal Palace man won the ball and cleared it away up field.

    Excellent teamwork. Some of the Wales players may not be worldwide superstars, but they give it their all for the shirt and know exactly what their job is.

  15. Postpublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

    Gareth Bale spoke before this match about the need for Wales to be patient in the event of stubborn Georgian defending.

    He didn't have to wait long.

    Wales have started this game at a decent pace, stretching Georgia with some slick, one-touch passing - and Bale's 25th international goal is reward for that positive approach.

  16. Postpublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    WalesImage source, .
    Image caption,

    Wales are the graphic on the left, with Georgia the graphic on the right

    Just over 15 minutes in and Wales are well on top. They are focusing their attacks down both flanks and Georgia, who have barely left their own half, are struggling to cope.

  17. Postpublished at 15 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Gareth Bale attempts a low, drilled effort, but it's straight into the hands of goalkeeper Giorgi Loria who collects without any problems.

    One way traffic in Cardiff.

  18. Postpublished at 14 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    Now then, Georgia resort to illegal tactics by bringing down a Wales man and Gareth Bales is standing over a free-kick around 30-yards out...

    Gareth Bale takes a free-kickImage source, Getty Images
  19. SHOWBOATpublished at 13 mins

    Wales 1-0 Georgia

    They have bagged in the early stages, but you fully expect Wales to get more goals today. Georgia have been on the back foot and are dropping deep.

    Gareth Bale is already pulling out the showboating, spinning away from Valeri Kazaishvili, but his cross into the box is scrambled away.

  20. goal

    GOAL - Wales 1-0 Georgiapublished at 17:12 British Summer Time 9 October 2016

    Gareth Bale (10 mins)

    Gareth Bale of Wales scoresImage source, Getty Images

    Right on cue, Wales lead.

    There is no question the home side have been well on top in this match and deservedly lead.

    Guess who bagged?

    Yep, Real Madrid man Gareth Bale leaps highest six yards out to plant Joe Ledley's corner past Giorgi Loria high into the net.

    A smashing header and manager Chris Coleman punches the air in delight on the touchline.

    Gareth Bale of Wales celebratesImage source, Rex Features