WALES have one foot in next summer’s European Championships after yet more heroics from Gareth Bale.

The world’s most expensive footballer marked his golden cap with a golden goal as his 25th minute strike – coupled with a sensational defensive performance – earned Wales a shock 1-0 win over a star-studded Belgium.

That means the bid to reach a first major tournament since 1958 is now a tantalising prospect, with Wales three points clear of Belgium and five ahead of Israel and six points ahead of Bosnia with just four games to go before the play-off stage and the top two qualifying as of right.

It would be the ultimate in snatching failure from the jaws of success for Wales to blow it from here, and the signs just aren’t there.

This didn’t feel like any other qualifier from hours before kick-off, the anticipation hanging in the air as the Cardiff City Stadium was that rarest of things for a Wales international. It was full.

Not just full but positively buzzing, the fantastic start made by Coleman’s side to Group B and the genuine belief that this is Wales’ time to finally end their major tournament misery was clear, the Super Furry Animals merely contributing to what was already a party atmosphere.

The excitement inside and outside the Cardiff City Stadium was palpable, the two sides met with a cauldron of noise and excitement where not so long ago it was empty seats and half hearted enthusiasm.

Of course, on the occasion of his 50th cap, it was Bale who received the loudest ovation, not to mention a virtually free role with Chris Coleman keeping faith in the 5-3-2 system that served him so well in Brussels back in November and more recently in Israel.

Coleman sprung an almighty surprise personnel-wise in opting to remain playing five at the back, Newport’s Chris Gunter shifted to central defence as Jazz Richards received a shock start, the Swansea back-up man given the ultimate baptism of fire against the side second in the FIFA world rankings. He coped admirably.

Wales came into the clash with a lack of the usual injury crisis, but were no doubt irritated in the extreme that their three main casualties, James Collins, Ben Davies and Paul Dummett, all would most likely have started in preference to Richards.

The Red Devils had less injury troubles but weren’t without problems themselves, Marouane Fellaini out with a calf problem sustained in training and his replacement, Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli, also wasn’t fit enough for a start after injuring himself in the 4-3 friendly win over France. Napoli’s Dries Mertens was the beneficiary with Bundesliga player of the year Kevin De Bruyne, tipped for a big money move to Man City, also involved from the start.

The Red Devils, playing in black, began the contest with far more assuredness than Wales, who were misplacing passes at such an alarming rate it was like watching someone with brain freeze trying to navigate the general knowledge round on Mastermind.

Neil Taylor’s mistake on just three minutes presented Mertens the chance to cross deep into the Wales penalty area, but Christian Benteke couldn’t quite turn the ball home on the stretch, the first of a few let-offs for the Dragons.

Another chance arrived on ten minutes from another mistake, this time Aaron Ramsey conceding possession, but when Eden Hazard worked the ball to Radja Nainggolan, his 20-yard daisy-cutter was repelled by Wayne Hennessey, a strong arm low to his left, vital save number 434 of the campaign so far (or it sure feels like it).

Three minutes later Wales were breached again, but this time Hazard shot over with the goal at his mercy.

It seemed a matter of if, rather than when, Marc Wilmots’ side would go ahead, but Wales were dogged and got their reward on 25-minutes, as the world’s second best side - it really does make a mockery of the rankings -  endured a moment of madness.

There was little danger in clearing a freekick until Nainggolan inexplicably headed back towards his own goal to of all men Bale, who still needed to show his customary poise and panache as he turned and fired through the legs of Thibaut Courtois.

It sparked pandemonium in the stands, the type of fervour not seen in a generation, but it might have been even better eight minutes later when Robson-Kanu freed Ramsey. The Arsenal man got his shot away and Courtois could only parry, but Toby Alderweireld gave the ball straight back to Robson-Kanu, who missed the target aiming for the near post. It seemed pivotal, it proved not to be.

Wales held on until the break and Wilmots sent for reinforcements with Romelu Lukaku added as the Red Devils switched to 4-4-2 and within five minutes of the restart they came close three times, Gunter deflecting a cross just over his own bar and Benteke and De Bruyne both fired wide.

Wales were falling deeper and deeper as they well and truly parked the bus and looked to protect what they had, bodies flying around the penalty area as every Belgium effort was blocked. And the threat if anything receded approaching the final whistle.

The Belgium attack might be star-studded but they looked short on imagination against a steadfast rearguard action, Ashley Williams, Gunter and James Chester absolutely superlative against the physical Benteke and Lukaku and the guile and quality of Hazard and De Bruyne.

Match-winner Bale ran himself into the ground despite a calf problem as the late scares did come into play, but when Hennessey held a corner at the start of added on time, you’d be forgiven for thinking Wales had won the World Cup, such was the relief.

In truth it was comfortable for Wales as they proved the art of defence, though the scenes of jubilation at the full time whistle will live long in the memory.

It’s time to dare to dream. 

Wales (5-3-2): Hennessey; Richards, Gunter, Williams, Chester, Taylor; Al]en, Ramsey, Ledley; Robson-Kanu (King 90+2), Bale (Vokes 88)

Subs not used: Ward, Fon-Williams, MacDonald, Church, Lawrence, Matthews, Vaughan, Cotterill, Henley

Booked: Allen,

Belgium (4-3-3): Courtois; Alderweireld (Ferreira-Carrasco 75), Lombaerts, Denayer, Vertonghen; Nainggolan, Witsel; Mertens (Lukaku 46), De Bruyne, Hazard; Benteke

Subs not used: Mignolet, Gillet, Tielemans, Miralles, Vanden Borre, Chadli, Dendoncker

Booked: Lombaerts

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

Attendance: 33, 280

Argus star man: Ashley Williams (Wales)