Wales got their World Cup qualification campaign off to an ideal start, with Ben Davies stepping up with a goal and an assist to help his side overcome Kazakhstan 3-1 at Cardiff City.
Ben Davies captained the Wales side, who are looking to create history by qualifying for two back-to-back World Cup tournaments for the first time.
Their campaign got off to the perfect start in front of their home fans, with Craig Bellamy’s outfit eventually emerging comfortable winners.
However, Kazakhstan did put up a fight, especially in the first-half, and the Dragons had the Tottenham defender to thank for stepping up with two huge contributions in the final third.
Ben Davies scored for Wales with a header against Kazakhstan
Davies played a key hand in the home side’s opener, with the 31-year-old being the first to a loose ball inside the box on nine minutes and playing it into the path of Dan James, whose deflected strike found the back of the net.
However, Kazakhstan drew level from the penalty spot on 32 minutes after a cross struck the hand of Connor Roberts.
The home side’s captain then restored the lead again at the start of the second-half, with Davies getting on the end of an in-swinging corner to head home from close range after the goalkeeper had misjudged the ball.
Substitute Rabbi Matondo would go on to add a third goal in the dying stages of the game to put the result beyond doubt for Bellamy’s men.
Davies’ impact will act as a boost for the central defender after he had a nightmare last fifteen minutes in Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat at Fulham, having been turned by former team-mate Ryan Sessegnon for the second goal.
Davies catches the eye but Brennan Johnson has a quiet night
Davies might have had another impressive outing, but his Tottenham teammate Brennan Johnson had another quiet night after being asked to lead the line.
The pacy Spurs winger struggled to get into the game as a number nine against a resolute Kazakhstan defence, getting 62 minutes under his belt before making way for Mark Harris.
READ MORE: Tottenham may be worried by Destiny Udogie’s reviews after Italy start