Kieffer Moore had Gareth Bale on his feet applauding his first half header as Wales continued their promising start to Euro 2024 qualifying without their retired talisman.
Record scorer and appearance holder Bale was in the stands at the Cardiff City Stadium where he addressed fans before kick off after hanging up his boots. He must have been encouraged with Wales' efforts without him as they forced Latvia keeper Pavels Steinbors into a string of saves.
Bournemouth frontman Moore opened the scoring four minutes before the break with a brilliant downward header after good wing play from Dan James who put over a teasing cross. Neco Williams also hit the bar in the second half after Steinbors got a hand to it.
Wales had to survive a tense finale though to deservedly win despite failing to extend their advantage. But they held out to record their first win after their opening draw in Croatia on Saturday in qualifying.
Page named an unchanged side from Wales’ 1-1 draw in Split where sub Nathan Broadhead scored a stoppage time equaliser.
But he changed formation to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 line up against Latvia who are 133rd in the FIFA world rankings, 105 places below 28th placed Wales. Only Lithuania, Andorra, Malta, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar and San Marino are ranked lower in Europe.
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Wales made a positive start as Latvia keeper Steinbors was forced into a save in the fifth minute to deny Harry Wilson’s left-foot shot from James’ cross. But Latvia grew into the game and Joe Rodon needed to make a brave block from Janis Ikaunieks' shot in the 16th minute.
Wales keeper Danny Ward was also called into action to block Marcis Oss’ volley from the resulting corner. Wales still created chances though as new skipper Aaron Ramsey got more involved. He did well to pick out 6ft 5in striker Moore with a cross but the Bournemouth striker miscued his header wide.
Yet Latvia remained dangerous as Vladislavs Gutkovskis tested Ward with a clever flick. Wales finished the half the stronger side as Moore put a right-foot curler wide from the top of the box in the 29th minute. Nottingham Forest full-back Williams also thumped a right-foot shot just over from outside the box as did Ethan Ampadu.
Wales’ pressure told in the 41st minute when James did well to stand up a cross to the back post for Moore to head in his 10th international goal. The hosts then almost doubled their lead in first half stoppage time but keeper Steinbors tipped a low shot from Wilson around the post.
Wales continued on the offensive after the re-start as Steinbors made an even better save in the 49th minute to superbly tip another right-foot pile-driver from Williams on to the bar. But Wales still needed keeper Ward, who recently lost his place at Leicester, to save from Gutkovskis who cut in from the right.
Wales put on their hero from Split, Broadhead, off the bench in the closing stages but he had few chances to shine in front of the 32,806 capacity ground. Indeed, Latvia might have salvaged a point in the closing stages had their finishing been clinical.
