How to solve a problem like missing Gareth Bale was answered emphatically in an unexpected manner on an evening that drastically brightened Welsh hopes for reaching the World Cup in Russia.
Tom Lawrence produced a coming-of-age display for Wales to earn a vital three points that brings into the realms of realism a place in next month’s play-offs.
Rather than Aaron Ramsey, it was Lawrence who stepped into the Bale-shaped hole, scoring a scorching winner and bringing plenty bravado besides to ensure this was a momentous match for Wales.
Tom Lawrence gestures to the travelling support after scoring his first international goal
Lawrence fires home a stunning low drive to put Wales 1-0 up four minutes into second half
Chris Coleman said his team could win without Bale and though there were a couple of hairy moments they deservedly did so for the first time since October 2013. This was also their first competitive away win minus Bale since against Azerbaijan in 2009, although in fairness the Real Madrid forward rarely misses the international call.
All eyes now turn to Monday’s visit of Republic of Ireland to Cardiff in what promises to be a grandstand occasion. Another win would almost certainly grant Wales a place in the play-offs, while a draw might also be enough depending on results from elsewhere in Europe, given only the top eight runners-up are handed spots.
Coleman will be relieved all of his seven players one booking away from a ban left the Boris Paichadze Arena unscathed and there is real momentum about his team now. This was a third win in succession without conceding and one of personal satisfaction for Coleman, who played in a 5-0 defeat to Georgia in Tbilisi in 1994.
Joe Ledley fells Giorgi Merebashvili as Aaron Ramsey (right) watches on during the first half
Chris Coleman was unable to call upon talisman Gareth Bale for the World Cup qualifier
Joe Allen advances in possession as Valerian Gvilia keeps tabs on the Wales midfielder
In the absence of his best player, Coleman had elected for experience in the, reinstating Joe Ledley to the starting line-up rather than thrusting Ben Woodburn into a pressure game.
Ledley’s inclusion after missing last month’s qualifiers through lack of fitness was to establish a greater control of midfield, with Joe Allen alongside. On paper it looked like Andy King would complete a central trio but in reality he was frequently required wide right in an unfamiliar role.
It did though mean Wales had more discipline. They became fragmented in the reverse fixture 12 months ago and could easily have lost, so evidently Coleman did not want to risk a repeat.
Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Loria comes out to punch clear ahead of the advancing Ramsey
Wales captain Ashley Williams barks out instructions to his team as Ben Davies watches on
Sam Vokes reacts after missing a golden opportunity to open the scoring against Georgia
The plan worked early as Wales settled in and after three minutes they should really have gone ahead.
Lawrence, starting his third Wales game in succession and growing in confidence, burst through Georgia’s midfield from the left, riding a couple of challenges and weighting a perfect pass to Ramsey. In the clear, the Arsenal midfielder snatched slightly at his left-foot shot and dragged the ball just wide.
Another superb chance arrived in the 17th minute. Ledley won possession high up and Allen charged forward, exchanging passes with Sam Vokes, and then scooping a delightful ball into the path of King. Rushing into the box, the Leicester midfielder hit his shot into the turf and it was bouncing in until goalkeeper Giorgi Loria sprang to his left, clawing the ball away and out of reach of those in red shirts waiting for a rebound.
Wayne Hennessey is forced to make a diving save to prevent the home side from going 1-0 up
Ramsey attempts to spark an attack for Wales during a drab first half at the Dinamo Arena
James Chester passes forward during a first half where Georgia dominated possession
Wales went close again on the half hour. Ashley Williams sprayed a crossfield pass that was won well in the air by King to give Ramsey an opportunity down the right. Vokes anticipated the cross along the ground and made a good connection, but the ball spun the wrong side of the far post to render the Burnley striker’s raised hand in celebration premature.
Wales kept jabbing. In one move they picked a route through Georgia with neat passes, then quickened the pace when Allen fed Vokes, whose lay-off gave Lawrence a shooting opportunity. But his effort flew narrowly over.
Georgia were more than passengers in the contest, though. Often they gained good territory but were not able to make it meaningful. That altered shortly before half-time when Giorgi Kakabadze whipped a devilish cross to Giorgi Kvilitaia and the forward’s glancing header bounced just wide to the relief of a scrambling Wayne Hennessey.
Vokes vies for the ball with Jaba Kankava as Wales struggled to make the breakthrough
Hennessey (left) comes through a crowd of bodies to punch clear a Georgia free-kick
At the whistle, Coleman clapped his players and bounded down the tunnel, clearly pleased at what he had seen. It did not take a fly on the wall to work out he told his players to keep going and the breakthrough would come.
Fortunately, it did sooner rather than later and in wonderful style. Four minutes after the restart Ramsey fed Lawrence in a pocket of space 25 yards out and he turned, sized up the situation, and drove a rocket of a shot into the far corner. Loria got a hand to it but the power was too great. Lawrence leapt into the air in front of 2,000 Wales supporters who had made this difficult journey to the corner of Europe.
Full of confidence, Lawrence tried again in the 53rd minute, skipping past a Georgia defender but this time curling his shot wide.
Wales players toast Lawrence’s opener in Friday’s crucial World Cup qualifying clash
Ramsey congratulates Lawrence after the Derby midfielder put Wales in front in Tbilisi
Ramsey is denied from close range by Loria as Wales went in search of a second goal
As the match progressed Coleman’s side began carving through Georgia with greater ease and, at times, significant panache. Ramsey could have made victory certain with 20 minutes to go when put through by Lawrence but he failed to put enough direction or power on his effort.
For all Wales comfort the lead remained slender and with 11 minutes to go Georgia almost made them pay. Giorgi Navalovski was on the end of a good move, checking back and firing a shot that Hennessey saved at the second attempt.
There was further alarm when Otar Kakabadze ran clear in added time but he strangely elected to cross rather than shoot and Wales were let off. That much was deserved and now they will look to finish the job at home.
‘I’m absolutely thrilled for Tom for more than one reason,’ Coleman said at. ‘His job was with possession and without possession and he absolutely nailed it. He showed courage, intelligence, and great maturity. The goal was sensational.’
Lawrence added: ‘I don’t think you can describe that feeling. It’s what you dream of and it’s come true.’
Merebashvili turns on the ball as Georgia pushed for a late leveller at the Dinamo Arena
Wales’ travelling supporters are jubilant after they secured a crucial World Cup qualifying win