Wales warmed up for Euro 2024 qualifying with a 4-0 win over Gibraltar at Wrexham.
All the goals came in the first half as Kieffer Moore scored twice, with Ben Davies and Nathan Broadhead also getting on the scoresheet.
Following last month’s victory in Latvia, it was the first time Wales had won back-to-back since November 2021.
The performance, particularly in the first half, will encourage Wales manager Rob Page ahead of the crucial qualifier against Croatia on Sunday, although Gibraltar’s position in world football must be taken into account.
How Moore helped new Wales beat Gibraltar
It was the first meeting between the two nations at senior level and also marked Wales’ return to SToK Racecourse for the first time since victory over Trinidad and Tobago in 2019.
The Football Association of Wales was rewarded with a packed house of 10,008 as fans across the north showed their appetite to support the national team.
Page rested several regulars with the Croatia game in mind, with Wales realistically needing at least a point to keep their hopes of automatic qualification for the European Championship final alive. next summer in Germany.
Davies took over as captain in the absence of the injured Aaron Ramsey, with the Tottenham defender winning his 81st cap as Gibraltar played the 81st match in their history.
Charlie Savage, the 20-year-old son of former Wales midfielder Robbie, Joe Low, Regan Poole and Liam Cullen, won first caps.
Savage, in particular, could be pleased with his night’s work as he showed composure in possession and showcased a good range of passing.
Gibraltar entered the match ranked 198th in the world with only nine nations below them in the FIFA rankings.
Preparing to face the Republic of Ireland on Monday in Euro qualifying, Gibraltar had suffered six consecutive defeats and had not scored since a 1-0 friendly win over Andorra 11 months ago.
The loudest cheers of the opening minutes came when Savage recalled memories of his father with a crisp, but fair, challenge on Tjay De Barr that left the Gibraltar striker on the floor.
Broadhead was off target after a couple of efforts before Wales took the lead after 22 minutes from an unlikely source.
Skipper Davies rose highest from Broadhead’s corner and Gibraltar’s fallibility in the air was punished again when Moore met Savage’s cross to score expertly off a post.
Daniel James, starting the match for the injured Wes Burns, was wreaking havoc down the left and forced a sprawling save from Dayle Coleing.
The overworked Gibraltar keeper also denied Savage twice and Liam Walker cleared another Davies effort off the line.
Broadhead then collected James’ pass in the 35th minute and turned smartly to find the top corner of Coleing’s net with a sweet right-footed strike.
Cullen twice went close and the fourth came just before half-time as James raced forward again to deliver a perfect cross for Moore’s waiting header.
Page made a series of substitutions at half-time and the match lost much of its momentum.
The changes also removed the possibility of Wales eclipsing their record 11-0 victory over Ireland in 1888.
Tom Bradshaw was inches away from connecting with a Josh Sheehan cross which flew across goal, but the second half was largely a nondescript affair.
James woke the crowd from their slumber with an angled effort that rattled the woodwork, but Wales had already achieved their goals before Sunday.
And after?
Wales have a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against the Group D leaders Croatia at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday; kick-off at 7:45 p.m.