Wales on the brink as Gareth Bale header sinks Cyprus

Wales are on the brink of qualifying for their first major tournament since 1958 after Gareth Bale's header secured a 1-0 win in Cyprus.

The Real Madrid forward rose at the back post to thump home his sixth goal in seven qualifiers to move Chris Coleman's side to within touching distance of next summer's finals in France.

The Dragons had the better of the chances in Nicosia but looked to be heading for a frustrating stalemate after Neil Taylor saw a rebound brilliantly blocked by Antonis Georgallides and David Edwards had a header harshly ruled out for a push.

But Bale was once again his country's saviour as his magnificent header eight minutes from time means that a victory at home to Israel on Sunday will see them qualify for Euro 2016.

11' - WALES CHANCE! It should be 1-0 to Wales. Georgallidis makes a real meal of Bale's low, dipping free kick and spills it straight to Taylor who can't beat the keeper with a simple follow up from six yards. The full back should have lifted it but side-footed straight into the Cyprus stopper's body.

27' - WALES GOAL RULED OUT! Edwards nods home Bale's sublime right-wing cross - but the referee disallows it for a push! That looked very harsh.

51' - WALES CHANCE! Great goalkeeping from Giorgallides as he comes rushing out to the edge of his area to get a hand on the ball after Robson-Kanu had threatened to round him as he rampaged onto Bale's superb through pass.

79' - WALES CHANCE! Taylor cuts it back from the left for Ramsey who sees his first-time shot beaten away by the goalkeeper. If the Arsenal man had gone either side of him he'd have scored.

82' - GOAL! CYPRUS 0-1 WALES. It's Bale - it had to be him! Richards gets free on the right and dinks a great cross to the back post for Bale to rise and thump a header into the net.

89' - GREAT SAVE! Hennessey palms away a low shot from the edge of the area that nearly squeezes past him at his left-hand corner.

Wales have lost only once in the past 12 matches.

This was the Dragons' first win in Cyprus since 1992.

Wales have kept four consecutive competitive clean sheets for the first time since 1981.

Only Robert Lewandowski (7) has scored more goals in Euro 2016 qualification than Gareth Bale (6).

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

Is Bale Wales' best ever? Ahead of the match Robbie Savage stated that the Real Madrid man is his choice as Wales' greatest ever player. It's a controversial subject given the likes of John Charles of yesteryear. But Savage makes a good point when he suggests Bale is dragging his country over the qualifying line - something the likes of Ryan Giggs never achieved. It's certainly one for debate, but if the ex-Spurs forward keeps this up in the years to come he could well cement his place as his country's all-time number one.

Gareth Bale (Wales). Showed glimpses of his brilliance but looked to be frustrated until he popped up with another match-winning contribution.

Cyprus: Giorgallides 6, Dossa Júnior 6, Demetriou 6, Antoniades 7, Laifis 6, Economides 6, Charalambides 6, Makridis 6, Nikolaou 6, Mytidis 7, Makris 7. Subs: Kolokoudias 6, Englezou 6, Kolokoudias n/a.

Wales: Hennessey 7, Richards 7, Gunter 7, Williams 8, Davies 6, Taylor 7, Edwards 7, King 7, Ramsey 6, Bale 8, Robson-Kanu 7. Subs: Vokes 6, Church n/a, MacDonald n/a.