Wales pick up dramatic late win against Azerbaijan after taking lead through ridiculous Pashayev own goal

GARETH BALE was the saviour for Wales with a dramatic late winner over Azerbaijan to keep their Euro 2020 dreams alive.

Ryan Giggs’ men faced an embarrassing draw with the Group E minnows before the Real Madrid superstar headed home in the 84th minute.

PA:Empics Sport

There was relief and joy around the Cardiff City Stadium when Bale, back in form after a turbulent summer, scored his 32nd international goal with a close-range header past Salahat Agayev.

The result also eased pressure building on boss Giggs after two summer defeats left them with a mountain to climb to qualify for next year’s finals.

Wales now lie third, just three points behind Hungary and Croatia after four matches played.

Giggs’ side also earned a big slice of luck in the first half thanks to a comical own goal from Pavlo Pashayev.

The Azerbaijan defender was not even looking at the ball when it hit him on the shoulder and flew past goalkeeper Agayev.

There did not seem to be any danger when Gareth Bale’s 25-yard shot took a huge deflection and looped up into the air towards the edge of the penalty box.

But, with Agayev racing off his line, the ball crashed off the shoulder of unaware Pashayev and into the unguarded net.

It was the sort of funny finish from the right-back that will be repeated on football blooper shows at Christmas.

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Yet Wales were stunned when Mahir Emreli netted a shock 58th minute equaliser.

Errors from Neil Taylor, Chris Mepham and Wayne Hennessey all led to Emreli levelling the score at the second attempt.

But Bale had the final say when he reacted quickest to nod past Agayev after Maksim Medvedev’s miscued clearance from a Joe Allen shot.