Comfortable win lifts Wales

After a hitherto disappointing UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign, Wales overcame San Marino 3-0 in Cardiff to secure a morale-boosting second victory in Group D.

Welsh domination
The Welsh dominated throughout but had to settle for first-half goals from Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale and a Jason Koumas penalty in the second period as they consigned the visitors to yet another defeat.

Perfect start
Wales controlled the opening half, creating plenty of chances against a side who have lost every one of their previous 39 qualifiers in this competition, and they were boosted by the perfect start as they took the lead after just two minutes. Simon Davies's pass found Koumas, who turned the ball into the path of Giggs and, unmarked on the edge of the box, the Manchester United FC winger side-footed the ball expertly past Aldo Simoncini.

Bale chip
The goalkeeper was soon in action again, denying Giggs and Carl Fletcher from long range before Wales got their second in the 20th minute as Bale took advantage of a wealth of time and space to cleverly chip Simoncini from outside the area. Wales did not take their foot off the accelerator and Koumas twice went close, curling a free-kick just wide before clipping the bar with a delicate chip from the edge of the penalty area with Simoncini stranded.

Simoncini heroics
The keeper's busy night continued as he threw himself at Craig Bellamy's feet to deny the Liverpool FC forward before then pushing a low Davies effort past the post. The hosts eventually got the third goal on 63 minutes, however, after Simone Bacciocchi brought down David Cotterrill in the area. Koumas had his spot-kick half-stopped by Simoncini, but the unlucky keeper was helpless as the ball rolled over the line behind him.