The two sides were level on 11 points at the start of the night, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Gareth Bale slotted home following an error from Radja Nainggolan.

Despite enjoying spells on top, Belgium were unable to break down an impressive home defence as Wales secured the win to move three points clear at the top of Group B.

Read below to find out how the action unfolded.

Sort:

Newest

Oldest

7.15pm

Good evening everyone! The Euro 2016 qualifying campaign continues this evening and we've got a cracker of a match to follow tonight. Wales host Belgium in Cardiff with both sides currently sitting level on 11 points at the top of Group B. One team could take a huge step towards qualification tonight. Follow the action with me over the next couple of hours.

7.17pm

It's been an excellent start to this campaign for Wales, who are unbeaten in their opening five games, but they are behind Belgium on goal difference at the halfway stage of the campaign. There is so much pressure on Belgium to not only qualify, but to deliver success with their golden generation. Wales are just desperate to reach the tournament in France, and they will take huge confidence with a big performance this evening.

7.20pm

Belgium recently moved up to second in the world rankings, so there's no doubt just how tough this challenge is for Wales. The visitors have so many world class players, but if Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are on top form, the hosts should be quietly optimistic about causing an upset tonight. With so much attacking talent, we could be in for a very exciting 90 minutes.

7.22pm

WALES: Hennessey; Richards, Gunter, Chester, Williams, Taylor; Allen, Ramsey, Ledley; Robson-Kanu, Bale

7.25pm

Chris Coleman has made two changes to the side that beat Israel 3-0 in March as Jazz Richards and James Chester come into the side to replace Ben Davies and James Collins. It looks like a 5-3-2 formation, but Wales certainly have the players to change shape this evening. Ramsey and Joe Allen Start in midfield, while the key man Gareth Bale leads the attack.

7.27pm

BELGIUM: Courtois; Alderweireld, Denayer, Lombaerts, Vertonghen; Nainggolan, Witsel, De Bruyne; Mertens, Hazard, Benteke

7.30pm

As you would expect, it's a very strong Belgium side. Marc Wilmots makes one change to the side that beat France 4-3 on the weekend as the man every club seems to want, Kevin De Bruyne, replaces the injured Marouane Fellaini. Vincent Komapny is absent due to suspension, which hands a start to Jason Denayer in defence. Christian Benteke leads the line with support from Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard.

7.32pm

Wales produced a fine display away from home back in November as they claimed a goalless draw in the reverse fixture, and if they can avoid defeat again tonight, Coleman would certainly be a happy man. The atmosphere will be fantastic, so the hosts should be full of confidence.

7.35pm

Elsewhere in Group B this evening Israel, who sit just two points behind these sides, take on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The group can change very quickly with a couple of different results, and both of these sides will be fully aware that a win tonight could make a huge difference.

7.37pm

0 - Wales have won none of their last five meetings with Belgium, though the last two have ended level (L3). Task.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 12, 2015

7.40pm

The players are out on the pitch at the Cardiff City Stadium. Just the national anthems and a few handshakes to get out of the way now. My prediction for this evening? I'm sitting on the fence. I fancy Wales to claim a point in a 2-2 thriller.

7.45pm

Here we go then. Wales vs. Belgium. Bale vs. Hazard. It's a big night in Cardiff!

1 min

Bale, who is winning his 50th cap this evening, gets the crowd excited with a clever turn on the wing before running into a strong challenge from Hazard. Never thought I'd type that sentence!

4 min

It's clear that Wales are happy to drop deep and make the pitch look as narrow as possible when they don't have the ball. Belgium should find it difficult to break the home side down, but Wales have to make the right decisions on the break. Mertens buys some space but his cross is just too strong for Benteke.

5 min

Hazard is immediately greeted by to Welsh players every time he receives the ball on the left wing, but he still manages to find space for a cross which drifts over Benteke's head. Bright start from the visitors.

7 min

Bale leads the break for the hosts and settles for a corner. Ramsey's cross finds Robson-Kanu, but he's forced to lean back as he heads wide of the target.

8 min

Mertens drops into a deeper position to deliver a cross into a dangerous area, but Hennessey comes off his line to collect after a juggle.

11 min

SAVE! First chance of the game for the visitors. Hazard and De Bruyne link up well before the latter's cross is cleared. Wales miss the chance to clear and Nainggolan tests Hennessey with a low strike from the edge of the box. Good save from the Palace goalkeeper.

13 min

Belgium are really applying the pressure now. Some superb football in midfield launches another attack, and after De Bruyne's effort is blocked, Hazard fires a shot over the crossbar. Wales need to get on the ball in the middle of the park.

16 min

Bale has been forced to drop deeper to help out the midfield, and you certainly can't fault the effort from the hosts. Belgium have been fantastic in midfield so far. Nainngolan is seeing a lot of the ball.

17 min

Bale finally gets a chance to stretch his legs on the right wing, but the Real Madrid star goes down under pressure from Denayer. The crowd want a free kick. No whistle from the referee.

20 min

We've not seen much of Allen or Ramsey in the first half. They are key men for Wales. If they can get on the ball in midfield, they can find space to get Bale and Robson-Kanu involved further up the pitch.

22 min

Wales press the ball further up the pitch and Vertonghen does his teammate no favours with an awkward bouncing pass, and the goalkeeper can only slice the ball out of play to the delight of the home fans.

25 min

GOAL! WALES 1-0 BELGIUM (BALE)

26 min

Who else could it be? On his 50th appearance, Bale delivers the goods. Nainggolan makes his first error of the night, and it's a big one. Belgium appear to clear a free kick but the Roma midfielder foolishly heads the ball back to his own goal. It goes straight to Bale, who keeps his composure to control the ball on his chest and slot past Courtois.

28 min

YELLOW CARD! Poor from Allen. Hazard is far too quick for the midfielder and he picks up a booking for a late challenge 25 yards from goal.

29 min

The free kick is set up for Vertonghen to unleash a powerful strike, but his effort is deflected just beyond the sliding Benteke in the box. Wales need to defend like heroes to keep the visitors out tonight.

31 min

Belgium still look very dangerous in possession and the roaming De Bruyne finds space on the left side of the box, but his cross is easily held by Hennessey.

33 min

CHANCE! Wales should be 2-0 up. Ramsey does brilliantly as he exchanges passes with Robson-Kanu before hitting a low strike which Courtois palms away. Alderweireld clears the ball straight to Robson-Kanu, but he can only send the second chance wide of the target. Will Wales regret that missed opportunity?

36 min

Wilmots does not look very happy on the touchline, but Belgium have got enough attacking talent to create chances this evening. It's not going to be easy for Wales, who need to keep being positive going forward.

38 min

Bale makes a fool of Witsel in midfield with a clever chance. The ball falls to Ledley, whose effort is blocked and Belgium breathe a sigh of relief when Robson-Kanu heads over from a Richards cross.

41 min

Benteke hasn't seen much of the ball tonight and he's left frustrated again when a cross drifts over his head. Wales are sticking to their shape in defence, which is making them very difficult to break down.

43 min

Belgium go slightly more direct with a long ball which is headed clear to Mertens, whose speculative half-volley sails over the crossbar.

45 min

Wales are doing their best to hit Belgium on the break, but the home side's midfield have to be willing to offer support. Bale is of course the key on the counter.

8.33pm

HALF TIME: WALES 1-0 BELGIUM

8.36pm

It's been a really intriguing first half of football in the Welsh capital. Belgium have looked good on the ball, despite not creating many opportunities, but Bale has stepped up once again for his country. Nainggolan was arguably the best player on the pitch before heading the ball to the Real Madrid forward, who took full advantage with the calmest of finishes.

8.38pm

WALES 1-0 BELGIUM: That was some half of football. @GarethBale11 with the goal on 25'. #TogetherStronger #WALvBEL pic.twitter.com/3CVgZEAxnL — FAWales (@FAWales) June 12, 2015

8.42pm

BENCH WATCH: Coleman's side are sticking to their game plan well, but there's a long way to go. I'm sure he won't be thinking about a change yet. Wilmots may decide to change something, though. Benteke has struggled, so we could see Romelu Lukaku soon. Kevin Mirallas, Divock Origi and Nacer Chadli are all attacking options.

8.45pm

It's easy to expect what to come in the second half. Wales are surely going to sit deep and look to hit Belgium on the counter, but you'd assume the visitors will create better chances in the next 45 minutes. Wales must be brave on the break and exploit the pace of Bale and Robson-Kanu.

8.47pm

SUBSTITUTION: The players are back out for the second half and a change has been made. Lukaku is off the bench to replace Mertens, which should see Belgium change formation.

47 min

Belgium are immediately on the front foot at the start of the second half. Williams takes his eyes off the ball at a corner, and Benteke almost capitalises as he knees an effort over the crossbar. Just a half chance.

49 min

Wales need to survive this spell early in the second half. Gunter miscues a clearance behind for a corner, before Nainggolan delivers an inviting cross from the right which somehow evades everyone in the box.

50 min

CLOSE! Belgium almost equalise with a fantastic effort from De Bruyne. The Wolfsburg midfielder uses Alderweireld's run as a decoy before cutting inside and firing just past the post from the edge of the box.

51 min

Wales threaten at the other end as Richards uses the space on the right wing to deliver a cross which Robson-Kanu heads wide from a difficult position. It's an excellent game in Cardiff.

54 min

Belgium enjoy a long spell of possession as they twice shift the ball across the midfield. De Bruyne is at the heart of the move, but Alderweireld wastes the opportunity by slicing wide from the edge of the box. Poor decision from the defender.

56 min

Wales almost create an opening when Hazard exchanges passes with Witsel before breaking into the box. The Chelsea attacker appears to be caught by Richards, but he has no arguments when the referee rejects the appeals.

58 min

Wales hit back well after a long spell on the back foot. Allen is gifted time on the space and he plays a clever pass into Bale, who is halted by a fine challenge from Lombaerts. Excellent defending.

59 min

YELLOW CARD! Bale, sensing that the counter isn't on, pokes the ball past Lombaerts to win a free kick and the defender picks up a booking.

61 min

Belgium move it quickly across the box once again, but Gunter does well to deflect the ball over when Hazard connects with a header. Wales need two chances to clear the corner which follows as the visitors continue to ask questions.

62 min

Alderweireld gets free in the box to connect with a corner, but Hennessey is happy to watch the defender head a decent opportunity over the crossbar.

65 min

You've got to give a lot of credit to Wales this evening. Belgium continue to put pressure on, but they're battling impressively, especially in midfield after losing that battle early in the game.

68 min

There's a long way to go, but the Belgian attack has gone slightly quiet. It's really not been a great night for Benteke, who has struggled to hold of Williams. Wilmots is probably thinking about another change. Mirallas and Chadli would both be good options.

70 min

Bale appears to have tweaked something in his calf, but it could just be a bit of cramp. Wales need him to stay on the pitch until the final whistle. It's been a good spell of very little happening for the home side.

73 min

5 - Only Danny Welbeck (6) has scored more goals in Euro 2016 qualifying than Gareth Bale (5). Dragon. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 12, 2015

75 min

Clever play from Richards on the right as he earns space for the cross, but his decision to ignore Leldey and pull the ball back for Bale is a poor one as Denayer clears.

76 min

SUBSTITUTION: Belgium make a very attacking change as Monaco's Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco comes off the bench to replace Alderweireld.

79 min

Belgium are dominating possession late on, but Wales are continuing to force the hosts out wide and Williams is leading the way with a fantastic performance at the back. It could be a nervy final 11 minutes plus stoppage time for these excellent home fans.

80 min

Another corner is delivered from the visitors, but a slight touch from Benteke prevents Vertonghen from reaching the ball at the back post.

81 min

Gunter, who has excelled in an unfamiliar central defensive role, shows great awareness to head a dangerous cross over his own bar with Benteke behind him. Great defending.

83 min

Wales are closing in on a famous victory thanks to another fantastic defensive performance. As it stands, with Israel losing 3-1 to Bosnia, Coleman's side will go three points clear at the top of Group B.

86 min

Taylor gets a huge cheer for a superb tackle on Ferreira-Carrasco as Belgium continue to struggle in their search for an opening. They've lacked a creative spark this evening.

87 min

SUBSTITUTION: Bale is starting to feel the effects of a long night and a long season as he limps off with cramp to be replaced by Sam Vokes. It's Bale's goal which remains the difference between the two sides.

89 min

Williams has barely put a foot wrong this evening, but he's slightly too eager to win the ball and concedes a free kick for a challenge on Witsel. Belgium have a chance around 30 yards from goal.

90 min

Despite the fact that it didn't work in the first half, Belgium decide to shift the free kick to Vertonghen again and he watches a Welsh defender charge down his effort. Just three minutes of added time to be played as Hennessey confidently claims a corner.

90+2 min

Belgium continues to pile on the pressure as Wales clear a corner. The ball is launched into the box again, but Benteke can't get a strong touch on it while stretching.

90+3 min

SUBSTITUTION: Robson-Kanu has put in an impressive shift in attack tonight, and he gets a great reception as Andy King comes on for the final few seconds.

9.36pm

FULL TIME: WALES 1-0 BELGIUM

9.38pm

Fans of this side will not forget this night soon. Bale's goal has secured a famous 1-0 win for Wales, who go three points clear at the top of Group B and they are closing in on qualification for Euro 2016. Belgium, ranked second in the world, just couldn't break down this impressive side. Coleman and his players deserve a lot of credit.

9.40pm

The match is over, but the party is surely just getting started in Cardiff. Bale is the hero as Wales clinch three valuable points. Thanks for joining me this evening. Goodnight everyone.