The Real Madrid star handed his side a win with a powerful header.
Gareth Bale took Wales within one win of European Championship qualification with a superb headed goal in a 1-0 win over Cyprus in Nicosia.
On a night when the Real Madrid man was frustrated for 80 minutes by a resolute Cyprus defense, he made the difference with a thunderous header that sparked wild celebrations among the travelling Welsh supporters.
Bale's sixth goal in seven qualifying matches and his 12th in his last 15 internationals decided an end-to-end contest, in which Wales had the better of the chances but struggled to find a cutting edge.