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AUSTRIA 2-2 WALES

Bale hails 'great point' as Wales draw in Austria

Austria twice came from behind in Vienna through Arnautovic, but Real Madrid star Gareth Bale said he was pleased with Wales' point against "a very good team"
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Wales' Gareth Bale
Leonhard FoegerREUTERS

Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales earned a potentially crucial point as they aim to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1958, although they twice threw away the lead in their 2-2 draw with Austria in Group D.

Stunning Joe Allen volley 

Only a brilliant Robert Almer save prevented Gareth Bale from giving Chris Coleman's side an early lead before Joe Allen drew first blood midway through the first half at the Ernst Happel Stadium with a stunning left-foot volley.

Wales' Joe Allen celebrates scoring their first goal with Joe Ledley
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Wales' Joe Allen celebrates scoring their first goal with Joe LedleyHeinz-Peter BaderREUTERS

However, Allen's Stoke City team-mate Arnautovic equalised six minutes later, stooping to head in a David Alaba ball into the Welsh area.

Wales were back in front in first-half stoppage time when a Bale long throw caused havoc in the home box and the ball eventually went in off Tottenham Hostpur defender Kevin Wimmer.

Arnautovic Austria's saviour 

But Arnautovic ran through to score his and Austria's second goal three minutes after half-time following a slack pass by Allen.

Austria's Marko Arnautovic scores their first goal
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Austria's Marko Arnautovic scores their first goalLeonhard FoegerREUTERS

"It's a great point for us at a difficult place to come," Bale told Sky Sports. "We know we weren't at our best tonight. It was a difficult game against a very good team but this is what we've grown up to do, we grind out results when we need them."

Wales face Georgia on Sunday 

Wales are next in action on Sunday at home to Georgia, who lost 1-0 in the Republic of Ireland, Seamus Coleman scoring his first goal for his country to get the winner.