Wales 5-1 Belarus: Rob Page's men clinch emphatic World Cup qualifying win in Cardiff

Wales moved up to second place in their World Cup qualifying group courtesy of an emphatic 5-1 win over Belarus.

Aaron Ramsey fired Wales ahead in the second minute at Cardiff City Stadium before Neco Williams notched his second international goal soon after.

Juventus star Ramsey added a third from the penalty spot shortly after half time to move above Craig Bellamy into sixth place on the list of all-time goalscorers for the men's side.

Ben Davies then scored his first international goal on his 68th outing for his country late on before Artem Kontsevoi pulled a goal back for the visitors.

But Connor Roberts poked home at the death as Wales celebrated a fine win on the night Gareth Bale won his 100th cap.

The hosts made a dream start as Sergei Chernik could only fumble Davies' rasping volley into the path of Ramsey who had the simple task of prodding home from close range 118 seconds into the contest.

It set the tone for what was to be a confident display from the Red Dragons who saw Roberts drill wide soon after.

And Page's troops were two goals to the good on 20 minutes as Williams' driven shot squirmed under the arms of the despairing Chernik.

Having needed a Bale hat-trick that included two penalties and an injury time winner in the previous meeting between the sides, Wales handled proceedings with extreme comfort this time around.

The Red Wall were able to run through their full repertoire of songs as those in red did the business on the pitch, and even when Belarus did get into promising positions, the back three of Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Davies mopped everything up to ensure Danny Ward wasn't troubled.

Brennan Johnson replaced Bale for the second half as Wales looked to keep their captain fresh for Tuesday following his recent two-month lay-off with a hamstring injury.

And the Nottingham Forest man made a key impact just minutes after coming on as he pressurised Ruslan Yudenkov into handling the ball in his own area.

Referee Maurizio Mariani pointed to the spot, and Ramsey coolly slotted beyond Chernik from 12 yards out to put Wales in a commanding position.

The only blot on the copybook saw Ampadu claim a yellow card that means he is suspended for the Belgium game.

Williams almost scored a stunning second 20 minutes from time, but Davies netted with his shoulder to restore the joy in Cardiff.

Kontsevoi struck a sweet consolation for Belarus before Roberts made it 5-1 late on as Wales bolstered their chances of claiming a home play-off semi-final by clinching all three points ahead of Tuesday night's mouth-watering clash with Belgium.

Wales: Ward (Hennessey 90); Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies; Roberts, Ramsey (Morrell 71), Allen, N Williams; Bale (C) (Johnson 46), Wilson, James (T Roberts 76).

Subs not used: A Davies, Gunter, Mepham, Colwill, Thomas, Vaulks, Harris, Williams.

Goals: Ramsey 2 & 50, N Williams 20, B Davies 77, Roberts 90

Yellow card: Ampadu 59

Belarus: Chernik (C); Zolotov (Yuzepchuk 71), Shvetsov, Naumov, Yudenkov (Kontsevoi 81); Pechenin, Selyava, Yablonski, Klimovich (Ebong 71); Sedko (Antilevski 60), V Lisakovich (Bakhar 81).

Subs not used: Khatkevich, Pavluychenko, Shevchenko, Sokol, Solovei, R Lisakovich, Levitski.

Goal: Kontsevoi 87

Yellow cards: Zolotov 25, Antilevski 79, Ebong 82

Referee: Maurizio Mariani

Attendance: 27,152