The script is a familiar one by now but Wales will never tire of the story. With six minutes remaining and Wales’ hopes of qualifying for Euro 2020 hanging by a thread, Gareth Bale once again delivered for his country, heading home from six yards out to spare Ryan Giggs and his players the humiliation of a draw at home against a team ranked 109th in the world.
It was a scrappy goal and, truth be told, an awful performance but all that matters right now is that Wales have another three points on the board. Giggs looked as relieved as anyone and well he might on a night when Wales were their own worst enemies. Gifted the lead when Pavlo Pashayev put through his own net in farcical circumstances, Wales allowed Azerbaijan to equalise through Mahir Emreli following a catalogue of errors. Bale, with his 32nd international goal, once again came to their rescue.