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Undefeated for the last 7 games, inc wins over Germany, Finland and Italy and draws against the Czech Republic and Argentina Wales are on the up. The two most important results are the last two. A win in Finland and a win tonight have put the Welsh top of the group with 6 points from 6 games, Italy have 4 points from 3 games.
Simon Davies scored from an acute angle on 12 mins and sent the Wales fans into raptures, the atmosphere was electric, aided by the Manic St Preachers who played two songs before the game, a rousing rendition of Men of Harlech and the National Anthems. The Stadium was rocking, a sea of red and white. The section of the stadium reserved for Italian fans burst into life on 32 mins when Alessandro Del Pierro scored with a deflected 25 yard free kick. Harsh for the unluck Mark Delaney who the ball hit and harsh for Wales. Ryan Giggs placed a free kick onto the cross bar as the break approached. Half time it was 1 - 1.
Cardiff City announcer Ali was also the announcer at the Millennium Stadium and his choice of music was Catatonia's I am the Mob and Joe Dolce's Whatsa matter you.
The whole match was exciting but the second half had some major incidents, Del Pierro went close again, another deflected free kick, this time off Giggs brought a world class save from Paul Jones, then a moment of magic. Daniel Gabbidon controlled the ball in defence as Wales were under pressure, his pin point pass was superbly controlled by Hartson who slid the most beautifully weighted ball through the middle and Bellamy broke through, rounded Buffon in the Italian goal and scored for Wales.
Bellamy scored again late on but a late challenge on Mark Delaney caused the ref to blow up before Bellamy managed to get the ball into the net.
Wales held on and Cardiff errupted when the whistle went. Robert Earnshaw and Rhys Weston were non playing subs.
Well done Wales. Now we have two matches against the groups bottom team Azerbaijan. We are away in November and at home next March.
The odds on Italian coach Trappitoni keeping his job are getting longer by the second.
External match reports
BBC Wales (inc audio)
IC Wales
The Telegraph