Daniel James’ late header gave Wales a precious win over the Czech Republic in a fiery World Cup qualifier in which both teams had a man sent off.
The visitors dominated a goalless first half with Jakub Jankto missing several chances, while Gareth Bale wasted the best opportunity of all for Wales.
Czech striker Patrik Schick was shown a straight red card early in the second half for raising his hand to the face of Connor Roberts, who was later sent off for a second booking.
As both sides searched desperately for a winning goal, Bale delivered an inviting cross from the left wing, which James met with a brilliantly directed header to secure Wales’ first win of the campaign.
The result moves Wales up to third place in Group E, one point behind the Czech Republic in second and four adrift of leaders Belgium, albeit having played one game fewer than both.
Despite only being Wales’ second game of the campaign, this fixture already had a heightened sense of significance for both sides.
When the draw was made, Belgium were overwhelming favourites to top Group E and qualify automatically as the world’s number one-ranked team.
As a result, Wales and the Czech Republic were expected to battle it out for second place and a play-off spot, though the visitors might have set their sights higher after drawing with Belgium on Saturday.
Wales may also have felt they could chance their arm for a shot at top spot because winning their Nations League group in November had already all-but guaranteed them a play-off place.
If they did have such lofty ambitions, Wales would have parked them during a first half in which they were overrun and outplayed.
The Czech Republic started purposefully, passing the ball confidently and pressing Wales into uncomfortable positions, forcing them to play long balls which came to nothing with their usual target Kieffer Moore on the bench.
With Wales unable to keep the ball in attack, the away side enjoyed as much as 75% possession and created three early chances for Jankto, who fired one shot at Danny Ward and another two narrowly wide.
Wales looked devoid of ideas, playing the kind of direct football Moore would relish – just without the Cardiff City striker on the pitch.
For all their struggles, however, it was the hosts who created the best chance of the first half.
Neco Williams curled in a fine cross from the left and Bale rose well to meet it, but volleyed his shot into the ground, allowing Tomas Vaclik to tip it over the bar.
Apart from that squandered opportunity, the Czech Republic were still well on top and, after Schick and Jankto both went close with another two chances, Wales were glad to go into the break level.
