Gareth Bale's bombshell earns Wales bragging rights against Scotland

Wales 2-1 Scotland
Bale 81 pen, 89; Morrison 27

Kevin McCarra at Cardiff City Stadium

Wales' recovery from 1-0 down to overcome Scotland may mean little to either country if both should fail to reach the 2014 World Cup finals. That, however, was the drabbest of topics on an evening when the competitiveness led to such excitement and controversy.

Wales recovered from a goal behind to defeat Scotland and so rise above the visitors in the World Cup qualification group. It seems likely that neither will reach Rio but this was a memorable event. Wales levelled through a penalty converted by Gareth Bale after Shaun Maloney had brought down the midfielder 10 minutes from the end. Bale then struck the decider in the 89th minute with a wonderful drive while off balance.

There was angst and incident, particularly when the visitors were denied a 2-0 lead that might have quelled Chris Coleman's team. The ball was flighted deep from the left by Charlie Adam and Steven Fletcher took the chance to head home. The referee's assistant had raised his flag, however, wrongly supposing that the cross had gone out of play before bending into the path of the striker.

The twists and turns arose from the inherent fallibility in these line-ups. Scotland, for instance, could not take the sting out of the occasion when they were in front. Considering the wretched run of defeats, the vigour summoned up by Wales to claim this success was admirable. Coleman, for the time being, can be depicted as a manager qualified to rebuild Wales in the long run.

Craig Levein, his counterpart, left Cardiff City's ground as the person under stress. The initial impression had been of a pair of anxious teams. Each manager had favoured a 4-4-1-1 formation. There was a degree of adventure, with, for instance, Kris Commons, a late addition to the Scotland squad, allowed to start. The midfielder's posting, however, was wide on the right and his knack of claiming the odd goal was hidden.

Others did find openings. Wales were tormented when they wasted an opportunity and immediately fell behind. After a delivery from the right by Bale had been headed wide by Steve Morison, Allan McGregor's goal-kick was glanced on by Fletcher and James Morrison capitalised in the 27th minute with a low shot beyond Lewis Price, a goalkeeper starting his first competitive international in four years.

It was predictable that Bale would have to bear much responsibility for causing alarm. There was a piercing run and accurate low ball after 38 minutes but Aaron Ramsey shot off-target. The Cardiff City stadium brimmed with passion but that often came at the expense of poise.

Morrison should have extended the lead in the 43rd minute but misused a knock-down from Fletcher when he sent his finish high. There was no shortage of regrets. Wales were also haphazard and might have levelled much sooner had Joe Allan not dithered.

The weakness of these teams has been obvious and Wales' plight was particularly great since the side had not scored in open play since November 2011. Even then the goal from Sam Vokes came in a friendly that saw Norway beaten. Now Coleman's side will no longer endure references to that topic.

Wales had been pummelled this season in the 6-1 defeat by Serbia and it was natural that Coleman should feel it was time for his own side to throw punches of their own. Scotland have not looked composed or talented enough to pick off the opposition on the counter-attack.

If this game had allure, it stemmed from the intense desire of both sides to ensure that there would be a meaning to their matches between now and the summer of 2014. This was a small opportunity for each team to enhance its status.

At the interval the Scotland midfielder Scott Brown, who has been carrying an injury, made way for Adam. Wales had not lost interest, even if they lagged. The second half saw them pinning back Levein's team.

The fever rose higher still when Wales were refused a penalty in the 64th minute when Ramsey appeared to have been fouled by Adam. The match had a visceral quality, crammed as it was with competitiveness. Scotland lost because they could not take the sting out of the match while they led. Wales, for their part, were indomitable.

The issue now lies with expectations. These are teams who will never be celebrated in any hall of fame. There are exceptions but, in general, national sides that have the wealth, population and football heritage of, say, Germany, Spain and Italy are formidable.

Belgium, Croatia and Coleman's victors in Cardiff will be indifferent to such issues. Scotland, though, must be troubled that just one team lies beneath them. Macedonia are at the foot of Group A and they have a single point. That little prize was taken by them at Hampden Park.

There will be recriminations now and speculation about a possible replacement for Levein. Soon after this match fans could be heard discussing the possibilities. Gordon Strachan, for instance, is not in management for the time being but it does not follow that he would crave the Scotland post if it does turn out that Levein's tenure is drawing to a close.

Taken from the Guardian/Observer