Wales defeated Latvia 2-0 on Monday to maintain their ambitions of qualifying for Euro 2024. David Brooks scored his first goal for Wales since being diagnosed with cancer.
In October 2021, Bournemouth winger Brooks received a stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis.
He returned to playing at club level in March and helped secure a vital three points for manager Rob Page in stoppage time in Riga.
Page’s future was in doubt after a run of one win in 13 games.
Aaron Ramsey’s 100th career goal from the penalty spot midway through the first half put the visitors in front.
But the lack of a clinical goalscorer since Gareth Bale’s retirement from international football was evident as Wales’ inability to add to their advantage until the 96th minute led to a nervy finale.
Janis Ikaunieks’s deflected shot hit the side netting late on to deny the side ranked 134th in the world a first point in qualifying.
Instead, Brooks produced a classy finish to dink the ball over Roberts Ozols on the counter-attack to finally double Wales’ lead.
Victory keeps Wales in the mix to reach a third consecutive Euro.
Page’s men go level on points with Armenia and three behind Turkey in the battle for the second automatic qualifying spot in Group D, with all three nations having three games remaining.
Croatia moved to the top of the group with a game in hand, after winning 1-0 in Armenia earlier on Monday.
