Wonderkid Ben Woodburn sinks Austria to keep Welsh hopes alive

Ben Woodburn scored a sensational goal on his international debut to give Wales a vital win over Austria and keep their hopes of qualifying the finals alive.

Less than five minutes after coming on, the 17-year-old sent a powerful strike from 25 yards into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

Before half-time Wales had been second best, but Chris Coleman’s tactical changes at the break worked wonders and Austria didn’t really creating anything in the second half, even after going behind.

In fact it was Wales who came much closer to scoring the game’s second goal as Gareth Bale produced a fine save with an overhead kick late on and Hal Robson-Kanu also hit the post.

The win takes Wales to 11 points – two behind second-placed Ireland and four off group leaders Serbia with three games remaining.

A star is born? Ben Woodburn is a name many will know as he’s been involved with, and even scoring for, Liverpool’s first team for a while. However, any time a 17-year-old scores an international goal, let alone one of this quality, you can’t help but get giddy about their future. Wales look to have a very special player on their hands.

Ben Woodburn (Wales). Who else? It was his moment of individual brilliance that won the game for Wales, and even after the goal he was lively and put in a umber of good crosses from the right.

Wales: Hennessey 5, Gunter 6, Williams 7, Chester 6, Davies 6, Richards 5, Lawrence 6, Ramsey 6, Edwards 6, Bale 6, Vokes 6. Subs: King 7, Woodburn 8, Robson-Kanu 6.

Austria: Lindner 6, Lainer 6, Dragovic 6, Prodl 6, Hinteregger 6, Ilsanker 5, Baumgartlinger 7, Alaba 7, Arnautovic 6, Harnik 4, Sabitzer 5. Subs: Danso 6, Gegoritsch 5, Janko 5.

34’ – CHANCE! What a chance! Arnautovic plays a one-two with Baumgartlinger, whose return ball is sublime and finds the West Ham man 10 yards from goal, but he shoots over. A lovely move and that really should be 0-1.

37’ – CLOSE! A knockdown drops invitingly for Lawrence who, 25 yards from goal, catches it sweetly. However he cuts across the ball a tad too much and the ball fizzes narrowly wide.

44’ – CLOSE! Almost an open goal for Wales as Lindner puts Danso under unnecessary pressure with a loose pass and is nowhere near his goal, but the youngster does just enough to prevent Lawrence or Ramsey getting to the ball.

74’ – GOAL! Wales 1-0 Austria (Woodburn). What a goal! What a moment! Ben Woodburn picks up the ball, 25 yards out, and lashes a fierce shot into the bottom corner. What a moment for the 17-year-old!

90+2’ – DOUBLE CHANCE! How are Wales not 2-0 up? First Robson-Kanu wastes a great two-on-one opening by firing over from range, then Bale produces a great save with an overhead kick.

90+3’ – CLOSE! Close again for Wales! This time Robson-Kanu hits the post, but surely that's that.

This is Wales’ first competitive win against Austria since 1975.

Woodburn is the second youngest player to ever score for Wales, the youngest is Bale.