World Cup play-off: Wales 2-1 Austria - Reaction as Bale brilliance inspires Welsh win

1. Wales will face final play-off against either Scotland or Ukraine
2. Scotland v Ukraine has been postponed until June
3. Wales have not reached the World Cup since 1958
4. Baumgartner hits Welsh bar in frenetic start
5. Stunning Bale free-kick puts hosts in front at break
6. Bale's sharp finish doubles Welsh lead early in second half
7. Austria pull goal back as Sabitzer shot deflects off Ben Davies

Elsewhere in Europe...

Portugal v Turkey is a repeat of Wales v Austria so far. The hosts led 2-0 but Burak Yilmaz has pulled one back for the Turks.

Still goalless in the other two play-offs.

Sam Vokes

Wales and Wycombe striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Bitterly unlucky with that deflection. Wayne Hennessey had moved for the initial shot. There's nothing Ben Davies can do for it. It's made a nervy next 25 minutes.

Nathan Blake

Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

We spoke about Sabitzer before the game, he's a talented man who's got a goal in him.

It was always going to be a tight affair, they were never going to give it up easy. It's a lucky goal but they're back in the game.

CLOSE!

Another huge chance for Wales, but Dan James' shot is well saved by Heinz Lindner after Aaron Ramsey found him with a lovely pass.

Wales should get chances on the break now.

There was less than a minute between Gareth Bale missing a chance easier than both the goals he scored and Marcel Sabitzer's deflected shot.

It's obviously a totally different game now.

GOAL

Cruel for Wales.

Marcel Sabitzer's shot is going nowhere, but it flies off Ben Davies and wrong-foots Wayne Hennessey.

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That could have been it!

A long ball over the top finds Gareth Bale who might not have his old turn of pace, but he still races clear, but his shot is over the bar, as he was leaning back.

Sam Vokes

Wales and Wycombe striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I didn't want to say it before but he's no Gareth Bale...

YELLOW CARD

Harry Wilson gave away the freekick and was booked. It was not a good challenge.

He will need to be careful.

David Alaba hits the wall with the freekick.

So, so poor, under the circumstances.

SUBSTITUTION

Sasa Kalajdzic replaces Stefan Laimer.

Freekick for Austria and it is in a dangerous position.

Dan James races clear and should score, but Heinz Lindner bravely blocks.

He was offside anyway, narrowly.

Sam Ricketts

Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

What a first touch and an even better second touch. That man is dangerous in the box. I’m a little disappointed it was two yards from the top corner.

Nathan Blake

Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

He's done it again, a great finish out of nothing. The ball is swung into the near post and drops nicely to Bale who spins on it and puts it in the far corner. Brilliant.

Sam Vokes

Wales and Wycombe striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

What a finish. Another great finish from Gareth Bale. Questions were asked during the week but he’s turned up again

GOAL - Wales 2-0 Austria

Oh my word!

Gareth Bale is unstoppable!

Wales work a short corner as Dan James crosses and Ben Davies touches the ball into the path of Bale who hammers a shot across goal and into the corner of the net.

This has been an incredible performance from Wales' greatest.

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Wales break quickly and Daniel James gets clear, but his touch takes him too wide and the danger is gone. But Wales have a corner.

Encouraging start to the second half for Austria.

They are the ones pressing high and forcing mistakes now.

Neco Williams concedes possession and it appears dangerous, but Joe Allen cuts out a cross.

But Austria are looking dangerous.

Ben Davies heads Wales out of trouble, but they can't break.

David Alaba wins Austria an early corner.