A late but great Gareth Bale header was enough to give Wales the all important three points against a well-drilled Cyprus side.
There was a certain buzz about Wales that has rarely ever been seen; sitting above England in the world rankings and top of their qualifying group is not something the Welsh are used to. Chris Coleman was forced to make three changes from their win over Belgium, however, with injuries and suspension taking its toll; Ben Davis, Dave Edwards and Andy King came in for James Chester, Joe Ledley and Joe Allen.
Pambos Christodoulou had been hit hard by the absence of three key players following their win over Andorra. Valentinos Sielis, Vincent Laban and Demetris Christofi all were unavailable, meaning Konstantinos Laifis, Giorgos Economides and Konstantinos Charalambidis all earned a starting berth.
The Welsh, unsurprisingly, started strongest. A quick breakaway involving the trio of Hal Robson-Kanu, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey nearly provided the opening goal, only for the latter's shot to curl onto the roof of the net from a good position. Bale had made a great run outside of the Arsenal man, and possibly should have had played the ball back out to him.
Wales dominate but can't get their goal
Bale himself was then handed a dead-ball opportunity moments later and forced Antonis Georgallidis to scuff the ball away with his feet, only for the ball to drop kindly for Neil Taylor. He should have scored from a matter of yards out but instead was denied brilliantly by the Cyprus stopper. Nestoras Mitidis looked to be the hosts' best chance at finding a way through and his trickery was proving to be a real thorn in Ashley Williams' side.
Wales thought they'd struck gold midway through the half when Edwards connected powerfully with a Bale cross, finding the back of the net from eight yards out. His delight was short-lived, however, as Szymon Marciniak ruled the goal out for a push in the box on Robson-Kanu; a harsh decision to say the least. There were half chances for both sides coming up to the break but neither could find the crucial opening goal.
More of the same in the second half
Cyprus began the second half with a bang and Marios Nikolau had has powerful, swerving effort parried away by Wayne Hennessey. It was at the other end where Wales felt hard done by again, and Robson-Kanu looked ike he had earned his side a penalty when going through to goal. Georgallidis had seemingly clipped the striker on the way through, although Marciniak may have felt that there was not enough contact to award a spot-kick.
The game was increasingly turning into a midfield battle and Wales were struggling to find the goal they needed. Sam Vokes came on to add a more physical presence to the attack but he was also finding it tough going against their resolute hosts. Ramsey did finally find the space to get a shot off on goal, though his shot was well-saved by Georgallidis.
Bale the hero once again
It looked for all the world that the game would end level and that Bale wouldn't be able to haul Wales up and into the lead. However, from Jazz Richards', cross the Real Madrid forward rose highest to meet his cross and bullet a header past the helpless Georgallidis. The Cyprus' goalkeeper could barely raise his hands before the ball found the net, sending the traveling support into dreamland.
Wales are now inches away from the final tournament, and a place as heroes back home. As for Cyprus, their feint hopes of qualification look to gave faded away.