By Harvey Toozer
Wales demolished World Cup qualification rivals North Macedonia in a must-win game to set up a home draw in the World Cup play-offs.
Craig Bellamy’s side’s crushing win ensured they secured second place in Group J, two points behind winners Belgium.
It was a historic night in the Cardiff City Stadium as Wales crossed the line in true style.
Captain on the night Harry Wilson stole the show with a hat-trick – all from set-pieces.
The Fulham man opened the scoring in the 18th minute from the spot, and was accurate again from 12 yards in the 81st minute.
Shortly before that he curled in a wondrous free-kick.
Wales started brightly as they controlled the tempo. After Wilson’s penalty they doubled their lead with a deflected David Brooks finish from a Brennan Johnson cross.
There was a glimmer of hope for North Macedonia in the 23rd minute when Bojan Miovski capitalised on Karl Darlow’s slip as he slotted home what would later be simply a consolation goal.
But that glimmer of hope didn’t last long as Spurs’ Johnson smashed the ball into the top corner just eight minutes out from half-time.
The hosts’ relentless intensity didn’t dwindle after the second-half resumed as they furthered their lead just before the hour mark as Dan James netted.
After the 80-minute mark, Wales confirmed their place in the play-offs with Wilson’s second spot-kick and substitute Nathan Broadhead tapping the ball in from a goal-bound Isaak Davies header.
Wales now await their play-off fate as the draw for the World Cup qualification play-offs is held this Thursday, with Bellamy’s boys being in pot two.
Potential semi-final opponents are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo or Republic of Ireland on March 26.