Wales vs Austria LIVE: World Cup play-off result and reaction as Bale double has Wales one game from World Cup

Follow reaction from the Cardiff City Stadium as Wales move one win away from a first World Cup since 1958

Wales face Austria just two wins away from their first World Cup since 1958 (AP)

Follow all the reaction as Gareth Bale’s brilliant double sees Wales beat Austria 2-1 in the World Cup play-off semi-finals to move just one victory away from Qatar 2022.

Wales will now face either Scotland or Ukraine in the play-off final for a place in Qatar, however, that match has been postponed due to Russia’s continued invasion of the latter. If Rob Page’s men win that, they will reach the World Cup for just the second time in their history and for the first occasion since 1958.

Wales are now unbeaten in eight matches and although there was pre-match doubt over the fitness of Bale - who has played just 77 minutes of competitive football since November - he stepped up to deliver for his country the way he has done so many times before.

He curled in an exquisite free-kick in the first half and made it 2-0 with a snap finish into the corner after the break. Marcel Sabitzer pulled one back for Austria when his shot cruelly deflected in off Ben Davies but Wales held on to move just 90 minutes away from fulfilling their dream.

Follow all the reaction and analysis as Wales beat Austria:

Wales vs Austria

• FULL-TIME! Wales beat Austria 2-1 to move 90 minutes away from a first World Cup since 1958
• GOAL! 64’ - Sabitzer’s shot deflects in off Ben Davies to pull one back for Austria (2-1)
• GOAL! 51’ - Bale at the double with a classy finish (2-0)
• GOAL! 25’ - Brilliant Bale free-kick puts Wales ahead (1-0)
• CROSSBAR! 6’ - Baumgartner strikes the bar for Austria (0-0)

[24 March 2022 18:28 · Michael Jones]

Wales vs Austria

Wales are just two wins away from a place at the 2022 World Cup. They haven’t qualified for the biggest tourament in international football since 1958 despite coming close numerous times.

Gareth Bale says he will use the "hurt" of previous near misses as inspiration for the team as they face Austria in the World Cup play-off semi-final tonight.

Bale was part of the team that lost to Republic of Ireland in 2017 and will be hoping to go one better this time around.

They winner of tonight’s match with play either Scotland or Ukraine in the play-off final. That match has been re-scheduled for June due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

[24 March 2022 18:22 · Michael Jones]

Wales vs Austria: Early team news

Gareth Bale has confirmed he is fully fit and ready to start for Wales despite Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti revealing he missed Sunday’s game against Barcelona because he "didn’t feel well".

Bale has played only two games for Real since his last international appearance in November 2021.

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey is also available after scoring his first goal for Rangers on Sunday since joining the Scottish club on loan from Juventus in January.

However, Wales will be without striker Kieffer Moore, goalkeeper Danny Ward, forward Tyler Roberts and defender James Lawrence because of injury. Midfielder Joe Morrell is suspended.

Austria have recalled Bristol City striker Andreas Weimann after a seven-year absence. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Stefan Ilsanker and Arminia Bielefeld midfielder Alessandro Schopf have also been added.

They replace Hoffenheim’s Florian Grillitsch, Union Berlin defender Christopher Trimmel, centre-back Philipp Lienhart of SC Freiburg and FC Cologne midfielder Dejan Ljubicic.

Lens defender Kevin Danso, formerly of Southampton, had also been added as cover but has since had to pull out with an ankle injury.

[24 March 2022 14:36 · Tom Kershaw]

Wales face Austria in World Cup play-off semi-final

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as Wales host Austria in the World Cup play-off semi-finals.

Rob Page’s side come into the crucial tie as favourites, having gone seven games unbeaten and finished second in their qualifying group to ensure themselves of home advantage tonight. Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are both expected to be fit to start, despite limited competitive minutes this season with their clubs, while Brennan Johnson has been in fantastic form for Nottingham Forest this season.

Austria endured an indifferent qualifying campaign, finishing fourth in their group behind Denmark, Scotland and Israel, but their place in play-offs had already been guaranteed thanks to their performance in the Nations League.

The winner of tonight’s tie will face either Scotland or Ukraine in the final, with that semi-final postponed due to Russia’s continued invasion of the latter.