Latvia 0-2 Wales: Ramsey notches 100th goal to help earn win and ease pressure on Page with win in Riga

Centurion Aaron Ramsey netted his 100th career goal to help Wales beat Latvia in Riga, keeping their faint hopes of automatic Euro qualification alive and easing the pressure on manager Rob Page's shoulders in the process.

Ramsey's first-half strike from the penalty spot, plus a well-taken goal from David Brooks deep into injury time, was enough to ensure Wales came away with a 2-0 win, moving them level on points with Armenia in the battle for second place.

There were two prevailing narratives surrounding the game in Riga; firstly was whether Wales' hopes of reaching next year's Euros through automatic qualification would still be alive come the end of the 90 minutes, the second was the likelihood of Page's position as manager remaining intact should they suffer an unfavourable result.

There has been growing pressure on Page owing to a dreadful run of results stretching back to after the World Cup play-off win over Ukraine last year. Before the game in Riga, Wales had one just one of their last 13 matches and only two of their last 16. For a fan base which has become accustomed to success and reaching major tournaments, their form has simply not been good enough.

Wales, and Page, needed a big performance against Group D's lowest-ranked side, a team almost 100 places behind them in the world rankings, and, importantly, a win to show fans there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

After some positives against Korea Republic, Page opted for the same team save one change, captain Aaron Ramsey was brought in for Ipswich Town striker Nathan Broadhead, while Connor Roberts won his 50th cap for his country.

Nineteen-year-old midfielder Jordan James, having made his full debut against Korea, earned his first competitive start