Alessandro Del Piero again wriggles free from the Wales defence, but his tame effort is easy for Paul Jones.

However, for the first time, Italy are on top.

Ian Walsh
Former Wales striker on BBC One Wales

He gets a head to it, Mark Delaney, and Paul Jones can do nothing about it.

That's just bad luck from a Welsh point of view.

That's so unlucky for the Welsh lads. A big frustration.

Andy Melville and Alessandro Del Piero both challenge for a high ball and the referee gives a foul to Italy, much to the bemusement of around 70,000 people.

It definitely looked like Del Piero was backing into Melville, though he did have his arm across the forward. Looked a classic case of six of one, half a dozen of the other, but there we are.

Craig Bellamy, the most vociferous of those 70,000 Wales fans, is booked for his protests.

Del Piero will take the freekick and the referee has got the wall back at least 10-yards, it looks more like 12.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Alessandro Nesta is as classy as centre-backs come, but has he ever been confronted by anything quite like John Hartson?

The burly Celtic striker likes to throw his considerable weight around, and his rugged hold-up play seems to have come as something of a culture shock for Nesta, who seems rattled having mishit a few of his clearances.

They don’t make them like Big John in Milan.

Neat Italian build-up culminates with a tame shot by Christian Panucci that Paul Jones is easily able to gather at his near post.

Now that's the sort of sighter Jones would have wanted. A nice confidence boost.

Italy haven't really threatened Wales from open play yet.

Ryan Giggs almost wriggles free in the Italian penalty area, but the ball just won't settle for him and he's unable to get his shot away.

Giggs' intelligence has seen him coming inside more and more to get on the ball as the half has wore on.

With Wales making all their inroads down the right, Giggs is ensuring he doesn't become a passenger for Wales on the other touchline.

Giggs reads the game so well. He'll probably make a good manager one day.

That's a massive let-off for Wales.

Goalkeeper Paul Jones has barely played this season after Southampton signed Antti Niemi and his rustiness has just been exposed as he came for and completely missed Alessandro Del Piero's admittedly brilliant corner.

However, Wales were reprieved as defender Christian Panucci didn't anticipate it and his timing was all wrong, so he couldn't control his header and keep it on target.

The goal would have been gaping.

You have to feel for Atalanta defender Luciano Zauri, he's getting an absolute pasting down Wales' right hand side, he's totally overwhelmed trying to deal with Simon Davies, Craig Bellamy and Mark Delaney.

Wales are clearly targeting the left-back and they are rampant down the right, Bellamy in particular is twisting and turning him and pulling him all over the place.

The pace of Bellamy, Davies and Delaney is a potent weapon.

Even before taking the lead, Wales had been threatening down their right flank with Simon Davies combining to excellent effect with Craig Bellamy and Mark Delaney.

Had they spotted an Italian weakness at left-back?

The Azzurri had only recently lost one of the greatest players ever to have filled that particular role, with Milan legend Paolo Maldini retiring from international football after the 2002 World Cup.

Luciano Zauri had the unenvious task of filling the void left by Maldini. This was only his fourth cap and he would only win one more after this match.

Image source, Getty Images

Well this one was coming. Robbie Savage goes into the book.

I think we'd chalk this one down to persistent fouling, rather than the fairly tame challenge on Alessandro Nesta, as the referee had warned Savage only moments before.

Nesta waved an imaginary card at the referee to ensure Savage's name was taken. Hate that.

I'd like to live in a world where that offence alone, was worthy of a yellow card. One day?

Robbie Savage and Mark Pembridge are hardly Wales' answer to Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, but the pair are so far doing a great job of containing the Italians.

The work-rate from both players is superb, Italy are never getting time to settle on the ball.

That's a third international goal in three games for Simon Davies, the winger who is, whisper it quietly, apparently attracting the attention of Manchester United.

Ian Walsh
Former Wales striker on BBC One Wales

It's again down the right-hand side, the pace of Bellamy.

Nobody expected Davies to hit it from there but he's rifled it into that far corner.

He hits it to perfection, keeper no chance. Wales 1-0 up!

Opinions divided, what did you make of it?