Gareth Bale strikes late as Wales close in

Wales are poised to end their 58-year wait to play at a major tournament after Gareth Bale’s late winner on a balmy night in Nicosia.

Bale struck eight minutes from time — his sixth goal in seven games in Euro 2016 qualifying — when he met Jazz Richards’ cross with a thumping header to give Cyprus goalkeeper Antonis Georgallides no chance.

The 1-0 triumph puts Wales within touching distance of a place at next summer’s European Championship in France — a feat that would be confirmed by beating Israel in Cardiff on Sunday night.