Wales 1 Austria 0: Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn keeps Welsh World Cup hopes alive with a stunning debut strike
Chris Coleman's side move within two points of second-placed Ireland after hard-fought victory at a rocking Cardiff City Stadium
BEN WOODBURN made a fairytale start to his international career and kept Wales' World Cup dreams alive.
The 17-year-old Liverpool youngster came on as a sub in the 69th minute and fired a spectacular long range winner with his first touch.
Wales hopes of reaching Russia were given a boost before kick-off as rivals Republic of Ireland dropped points against minnows Georgia.
And this win means their hopes of a top two finish and at least a play-off place are now very much back in their own hands.
The Dragons could have made an ideal start with Sam Vokes just failing to get on the end of a scuffed shot from Gareth Bale.
Aaron Ramsey wriggled his way through the visiting defence but planted his shot over the bar.
But from then on Austria took control with David Alaba pulling the strings and Marko Arnautovic causing problems down the right.
The West Ham new boy had the best chance of the half when he played a neat one-two with Julian Baumgartlinger but then blazed his effort over the bar from close range.
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Austria had bossed the first half but failed to get the goal and Chirs Coleman bolstered his midfield by bringing on Andy king at half-time.
It helped his team pose more of an attacking threat in the second half with Ramsey seeing a goalbound effort blocked.
Then the Arsenal man teed up Bale for a 25 yarder that Heinz Linder had to push away at full stretch.
Ramsey himself was fuming as his shot was tipped around the post by Lindner but somehow the referee failed to award a corner.
The Dragons needed a hero - and step forward Woodburn who replaced Tom Lawrence on 69 minutes.
WHO IS BEN WOODBURN? - CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW WELSH WONDER
The Chester-born teen picked up the ball 25 yards out and got it out of his feet before firing a low shot into the corner to spark wild celebrations in a full house.
Arnautovic could have levelled but Ashley Williams got in the way of his shot and deflected it over the bar.
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