BEN DAVIES got Wales off to a World Cup qualifying flier in Cardiff.
The Tottenham defender powered home a vital second half header just when Craig Bellamy’s Dragons feared Group J embarrassment against world No 110 Kazakhstan.
It was only Davies’ third Wales goal on his 93rd cap but the 31-year-old’s close-range effort could prove crucial for his country in their bid to reach the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico next year.
In-form Leeds attacker Dan James got the hosts – bidding for a second successive World Cup appearance – off to a positive start.
Bellamy saw his side pegged back after Askhat Tagybergen’s penalty before unlikely goalscorer Davies and substitute Rabbi Matondo – with his first Wales goal – claimed maximum points.
The rookie 45-year-old manager is now unbeaten in his opening seven matches as national boss ahead of Tuesday’s tricky trip against North Macedonia in Skopje.
Without creative pair Harry Wilson and Aaron Ramsey sidelined through injury, Wales looked for another star to step up to the plate with James stating pre-match he would thrive on the responsibility of being the Dragons’ main man.
And the 27-year-old, who has netted ten times for Daniel Farke’s Championship leaders this season, stuck to his word with the opening goal inside nine minutes.
After David Brooks saw his back-flick lose possession, Liam Cullen quickly pressed and regained the ball.
The ball broke to Spurs’ Davies, who slipped in James, whose left-footed strike beat Kazakhstan goalkeeper Alexandr Zarutskiy via the aid of a deflection.
It was James’ eighth goal for his country and handed boss Bellamy the perfect start in front of a 32,473 crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales wasted a decent chance to double the lead when Brooks’ pass intended for Sorba Thomas was cut out after the lively James put the Bournemouth attacker clear into space.
The hosts suffered a sucker punch when Kazakhstan captain Tagybergen scored from the penalty spot on 32 minutes.
Donatas Rumsas pointed to the spot after the Lithuanian referee deemed Connor Roberts had handled Islam Chesnokov’s cross.
Tagybergen went down the middle and hit Wales keeper Karl Darlow with his spot-kick but the ball squirmed over the line.
Kazakhstan’s equaliser was the visitors’ first competitive goal since November 2023 against Slovenia.
There was a bizarre incident five minutes before half-time when ref Rumsas was sent to the pitchside monitor for a VAR red card check.
Maxim Samorodov caught the back of Roberts’ calf but replays suggested the foul did not seem worthy of a sending off and Rumsas agreed as he issued a caution following a lengthy delay.
Wales were level at the break and the opening 45 minutes left Bellamy with much to ponder in this must-win qualifier.
But the Dragons chief got exactly the response he wanted as his men regained the lead just two minutes into the second half.
Nantes winger Thomas, on loan from Huddersfield, forced a corner and his right-footed inswinger set up Wales’ crucial second.
Keeper Zarutskiy totally missed the ball, allowing Davies to emphatically head home powerfully from close-range.
Then Rangers forward Matondo, on a temporary spell at Hannover in Germany, put the gloss on the win by sweeping home Thomas’ cross in injury-time.
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