Wales off mark as Bale’s belter sinks Scots

Chris Coleman earned his first win as Wales manager as a double from Gareth Bale secured all three points in a 2-1 win over Scotland.

The Scots — also searching for their first victory in Group A — had taken the lead at the Millennium Stadium through James Morrison in the first half.

But Tottenham star Bale had the final say when he won and converted a second-half penalty, before grabbing a stunning long-range winner with a minute to go.

Belgium underlined their reputation as an emerging force on the European stage with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Serbia in Belgrade.

Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke opened the scoring for Marc Wilmots’ men in the first half before efforts by Kevin De Bruyne and Everton’s Kevin Mirallas after the break saw the talented Belgians make it two wins and a draw from their opening three Group A outings.

Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez netted a hat-trick as Spain comfortably made it two wins from two with a thumping 4-0 victory over Belarus in Minsk.

Jordi Alba gave the world and European champions a 12th-minute lead.

Eight minutes later Pedro latched onto a lovely pass from David Silva and dinked over the advancing Veremko, and the Tenerife-born player completed his first international treble with two further goals in the final quarter — first a lob from Xavi’s pass following a swift counter-attack and then another neat finish 18 minutes from time.

Italy laboured to a 3-1 victory over Armenia. Goals from Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and Pablo Osvaldo saw the Italians to the three points, while Armenia Mkhitaryan was on target for the hosts.

Holland made it three wins from three in World Cup qualifying as they coasted to an expected 3-0 victory over Andorra at De Kuip Stadion.

The Oranje were off and running in the seventh minute when Rafael van der Vaart hammered home from long range and although a possible landslide did not materialise there were further goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and debutant Ruben Schaken, while Robin van Persie was left on the bench.

Alexander Kerzhakov’s early strike proved the difference as Russia edged out Portugal 1-0 in Moscow.

Kerzhakov’s smart finish made it three wins from three at the start of Russia’s Group F campaign, while defeat for Portugal ends their 100% start and leaves them trailing Fabio Capello’s men by three points.