Wales moved one step closer to their first World Cup since 1958 as Gareth Bale stole the show in a 2-1 win over Austria in the play-off semi-final
 Bale scored both of Wales' goals - the first a quite majestic free-kick from 25 yards on 25 minutes that flew into the top corner before smashing home a clinical second on 51 minutes
Marcel Sabitzer gave the home fans a nervy last quarter to endure when striking home a deflected effort but Bale's decisive double was enough to keep the World Cup dream alive
Wales are attempting to qualify for a third major tournament in their last four attempts, however, they have not reached World Cup for 64 years, failing in their last 15 attempts to qualify
A World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine awaits Wales now, although this has been put on hold until June because of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine
 What is certain is that Wales will be involved in next Friday's World Cup draw, so they will know their potential path and opponents
"You're just to be good to be true, can't take my eyes off of you," rang out at the Cardiff City Stadium at full-time
 A very apt backdrop as Bale led the celebrations around the pitch
Bale came into the game with doubts over his fitness after missing Sunday's El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona
 He also knew that, with his 33rd birthday fast approaching, this year's World Cup acts as the last chance of him appearing on football's biggest stage
 The same could be said for Aaron Ramsey, who machine-like in the midfield
Bale has not even played 100 minutes of football since August - most would assume he's been on the golf course
 They would be wrong
 He has been practising his free-kicks, in appreciation that an opportunity like the one with 25 minutes on the clock would present itself to him
 He was ready to deliver
 More than ready
 With one swish of his left boot, the ball was sent rocketing straight into the top corner, shaving the bar on the way through for added drama
 It was a moment those inside the stadium will do well to forget
 The pace, the power, the trajectory - and the celebrations
It was a goal you could watch on repeat, day after day and never get bored of
 Bale's explosion of joy, full of frustration no doubt over how things have ended for him in Madrid shows there is still plenty of life left in his legs
There was more to come
 The all-important second goal was half a chance but the way Bale stroked it into the top corner made it look like a gilt-edged one
 A pure instinct finish
He refused to talk about where he'll be playing his football next season in the build-up to this game as that picture remains unclear
 What is certain, there will be plenty of offers from some of Europe's biggest clubs after this performance
Speaking after the game Bale said the press headlines in Spain that took a swipe at him were "disgusting
"
Spanish media outlets had criticised Bale after he linked up with Wales having been absent for Real Madrid for the El Clasico match at the weekend
Spanish newspaper Marca ran the image of a happy looking Bale and Joe Rodon in Welsh training gear alongside the headline "It doesn't hurt anymore
"Bale was also called a "parasite" by a journalist for Marca
Bale's celebration for the first goal was full of emotion as he looked to be sending a message to some of his doubters by mouthing words into the camera
He explained the celebration after the game, as he was asked if he was sending a specific message and to who
 Bale said to : "I don't need to send a message, honestly
 It's a waste of my time
 It's disgusting and they should also be ashamed of themselves
 I'm not fussed
 End of
"On the game itself, Bale said: "It was a massive game
 We knew coming into it how big a game it was and we had to perform
 We had to dig deep and look at our experience in big games and it's a perfect scenario
"I had some cramp at the end which I guess is normal but I'll run into the ground for this country and we all did that tonight
"It's fantastic
 Half the job done
 The good thing now is that we can enjoy tonight because the game is in June
 Still another very tough game against either Scotland or Ukraine and we'll be ready for that when it comes
"By the end of March, we will know 29 of the 32 participants at the first winter World Cup
 The final three places will be decided in the intercontinental playoffs in June as well as the final European playoff final which has been delayed due to the Ukraine-Russia crisis
 So, the draw will include Wales and Scotland
The draw for the tournament takes place on Friday 1 April at the DECC venue in Doha, Qatar at circa 4pm GMT
The 2022 World Cup is taking place in Qatar in the winter months rather than the usual summer ones, due to the heat
The tournament kicks off on  at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor with a match that will feature the host country
The final will be played at the Lusail Stadium in Doha a week before Christmas on 
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