Wales vs Belarus LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, final score and reaction tonight

Wales 5-1 Belarus: Aaron Ramsey’s double inspired a big win on Gareth Bale’s 100th cap

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Wales moved clear in second place in World Cup qualifying Group E with a 5-1 home rout of Belarus on Saturday, as Gareth Bale earned his 100th cap for his country.

Aaron Ramsey scored twice for the hosts in Cardiff with Neco Williams, Ben Davies and Connor Roberts also on target as the Welsh boosted their hopes of finishing runners-up behind group winners Belgium who beat Estonia.

Wales are already guaranteed a place in the March playoffs to earn a place in next year’s Qatar finals having won their Nations League section. But finishing second in Group E could give them a better chance of a home draw.

Real Madrid’s Bale, Wales’s all-time top scorer, lasted only the first half of his 100th appearance before being withdrawn with a calf injury.

But by that stage Wales were already in command.

It took them only two minutes to go in front, as Ben Davies’s crisp volley was parried out by Belarus keeper Syarhey Chernik and Ramsey converted the rebound.

Williams doubled their lead in the 20th minute when he was played in by Bale and embarrassed Chernik with a near-post shot.

Ramsey coolly converted a penalty awarded for handball in the 50th minute to become only the sixth player to score at least 20 goals for Wales, and Davies then bundled in his first, on his 68th appearance for his country.

Artem Kontsevoi scored a late consolation for Belarus with a dipping shot, but Roberts completed the scoring as he touched in a Harry Wilson corner in the last minute.

Wales host Belgium in their final group game on Tuesday trailing the world number one nation by five points but with a three-point lead over third-placed Czech Republic.

A draw will be enough to seal the runners-up spot. The Czechs finish off against Estonia.

Wales vs Belarus

• GOAL! Ramsey follows up a rebound from Davies’ shot to strike inside two minutes
• GOAL! Williams doubles Wales’ lead to boost hopes of securing second in group
• GOAL! Ramsey grabs a brace from the spot, 3-0!
• GOAL! Davies makes it 4-0 with his first international goal
• GOAL! Kontsevoy with a screamer to hand Belarus a consolation
• GOAL! Roberts makes it 5-1 after a terrific Wilson delivery

[13 November 2021 21:00 · Michael Jones]

Wales 3 - 0 Belarus

56 mins: Wilson finds James in the box and he holds up the ball well before slotting it out to Roberts on the right side of the area. He lifts a cross into the six-yard box and wins Wales a corner as it’s knocked behind by a defender.

James curls the corner ball into the box and picks out Roberts’ run to the near post. He attempts to turn the ball towards goal but loops it over the bar.

[13 November 2021 20:56 · Michael Jones]

Wales 3 - 0 Belarus

53 mins: Wales have to keep going here. There’s a big chance that second place in Group E could come down to goal difference and they’ll need as many as they can muster tonight.

Neco Williams presses high down the Wales left wing and almost nicks the ball off Maksim Shevtsov but is a little too forecful in his challenge and gives away a free kick.

[13 November 2021 20:54 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Wales 3 - 0 Belarus (Ramsey, 50’)⚽️

50 mins: Aaron Ramsey converts from the spot. He waits for Chetnik to move to his right and then coolly slots the penalty to the goalkeeper’s left. Smooth finish from Ramsey who picks up his second of the night.

[13 November 2021 20:52 · Michael Jones]

Penalty to Wales!

Wales 2 - 0 Belarus

48 mins: A simple long ball comes up the pitch and Brennan Johnson attempts to win the ball in the Belarus box. As it drops Ruslan Yudenkov sticks out an arm to force the ball away from Johnson and the referee spots it. The whistle goes and he points to the spot.

[13 November 2021 20:49 · Michael Jones]

Second half: Wales 2 - 0 Belarus

Kick off: Gareth Bale’s 100th match for Wales comes to a premature end as he’s taken off at half-time by Rob Page. Bale didn’t look completely fit during the first half and he may have been taken off as a precaution. Word has come down about a possible calf injury as well.

Brennan Johnson is the man to replace him as Wales get the match back underway.

[13 November 2021 20:47 · Michael Jones]

Wales 2 - 0 Belarus

Elsewhere in Group E, Belgium are winning 1-0 against Estonia. A win for them in that one will mean the Belgians will finish top of the group and automatically qualify for the World Cup ahead of their match with Wales on Tuesday.

[13 November 2021 20:42 · Michael Jones]

Wales 2 - 0 Belarus

Good news for Wales, who are yet to lose at home when Aaron Ramsey have scored.

[13 November 2021 20:38 · Michael Jones]

Wales 2 - 0 Belarus

As is stands Wales are moving three points ahead of the Czech Republic in Group E with one game left to play. Their two goals also draw them level with the Czechs on goal difference which could come into play if both teams finish level on points.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[13 November 2021 20:34 · Michael Jones]

Half-time: Wales 2 - 0 Belarus

45 mins: No added minutes at the end of the first half so Wales take a two goal lead into the break.

Two mistakes from Sergei Chetnik has allowed Wales this lead. Aaron Ramsey took advantage of a fumble from the goalkeeper to tap in from inside the six-yard box before Neco Williams scored his second goal for Wales with a low, driving effort that Chetnik failed to pull back in time.

Happy days for Wales so far.

[13 November 2021 20:30 · Michael Jones]

Wales 2 - 0 Belarus

42 mins: Williams has been a consistent threat down the left for Wales. He drives into the box and sets up Ramsey for a shot that gets blocked. The rebound comes back to the wingback and he shoots from a narrow angle but his effort is stopped as well.