The evenly-matched contest looked poised to end in a stalemate, but the Real Madrid man - who made it six goals in seven qualifiers - thumped home a firm header with eight minutes remaining.

Consequently, the visitors, who remain top of Group B, can reach next summer's finals by beating Israel at the weekend.

Here, Sports Mole analyses how the match was won in Nicosia.

Wales striker Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between Cyprus and Wales at GPS Stadium on September 3, 2015 © Getty Images

Match statistics

CYPRUS
Shots: 8
On target: 2
Possession: 50%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 6

WALES
Shots: 6
On target: 5
Possession: 50%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 12

Was the result fair?

In the end, yes. Wales dominated a first half in which they were harshly denied what appeared a legitimate goal and, despite Cyprus asking most of the questions after the break, they never looked like scoring. In contrast, Wales's chances in both halves were significantly more clear-cut and Bale's winner was just desserts for another spirited display from the visitors.

Cyprus's performance

By virtue of the fact that third-placed Cyprus were just five points behind Group B leaders Wales prior to kickoff, it was certainly a must-win game for Charalampos Christodoulou's men, but there was a distinct lack of urgency from the hosts throughout a first half in which they were fortunate to be level.

Consequently, the Cypriots cranked it up a notch after the break and began to threaten, but they were forced into trying their luck from range with speculative efforts that seldom tested Wayne Hennessey.

Without the services of injured duo Georgios Efrem and Demetris Christofi - who between them scored half of Cyprus's goals in this campaign - the hosts continued to struggle in the final third and they were made to pay the ultimate penalty when Bale climbed above Jason Demetriou for the decisive header.

With second-placed Belgium also winning tonight, it certainly looks as if Christodoulou's side are out of the running for a qualification spot despite a promising campaign overall.

Wales's performance

Chris Coleman's men travelled to Nicosia knowing that victory would put them one win away from reaching Euro 2016 and ending a 58-year wait to qualify for another major competition. Wales were so close to France that they could smell the perfume and baguettes, but a combination of poor finishing and bad luck cost them a deserved half-time lead.

First, left-back Neil Taylor fluffed his lines from point-blank range after Bale's free kick was poorly saved by Antonis Giorgallides, before Dave Edwards then had a headed goal harshly disallowed. At the other end, captain Ashley Williams looked every inch the leader that Wales needed as he foiled Cyprus's attempts to spoil the party.

In the closing stages of the half, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey could, and should, have broken the deadlock, but a poor touch, rather than a first-time shot, saw the chance fizzle out.

After the break, Wales looked second best for much of the half without ever really looking vulnerable to conceding, but Coleman's men found a timely second wind as Ramsey - who moments earlier missed another good chance - did well to find Jazz Richards, whose excellent cross was powered home by Bale.

Still unbeaten, few could begrudge Wales their Euro 2016 spot if they beat Israel at home on Sunday and reach a first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Ashley Williams: Simply put, Wales could and would have lost without the Swansea City defender tonight. He was exceptional throughout, reading the game brilliantly and dishing out the kind of no-nonsense treatment he has become known for in the Premier League. Bale will make the headlines, but the defensive work from Williams laid the foundations for such a victory.

Biggest gaffe

Yet to score for his country, left-back Taylor will never get a better chance to break his duck than when he failed to convert a rebound from a Bale free kick in the first half.

Referee performance

Coleman will not be sending Szymon Marciniak a postcard should they reach France next summer after the Polish referee chalked off what looked a perfectly legal goal in the first half. He had a quiet game other than that, but it was a major error that perhaps should not happen at this level.

What next?

Cyprus: Christodoulou's side will now turn their attention towards a clash with Belgium in Nicosia on Sunday.

Wales: The visitors return to Wales and now prepare for a clash with Israel on the same day.