Wales 3 - 0 Scotland
Aaron Ramsey turned in a man-of-the-match performance to fire Wales to an emphatic victory over Scotland at Cardiff City Stadium.
In the first Welsh international to be held at the Bluebirds' new home, Wales made the best of starts as David Edwards fired them into the lead as he smashed home a Ramsey cross with 15 minutes gone.
Reading striker Simon Church doubled the lead on the half hour when he converted Joe Ledley's low cross before Ramsey showed his true class by riding two tackles and calmly slotting home just two minutes later.
The 13,844 crowd saw a vintage performance from Ramsey, who was on the pitch for just 56 minutes to earn his man-of the match award. Swansea City's Joe Allen was brought on to replace the Welsh starlet.
It was a victory that may inspire many in Wales to believe that the national team is set for bigger and better things, but manager John Toshack played down the performance saying: "Overall I think we deserved to win, but we have to accept that we were a little bit uncomfortable at times.
"The Scots' finishing didn't match their approach play at times, They were on top of our goal a little too easily for my liking and 3-0 was perhaps not a fair reflection of the game.
"I am not taking anything away from our lads though because we did score three goals in just 45 minutes".
As Tosh admitted, Scotland had the better of the early stages, often pinning Wales in their own penalty area as Kenny Miller forced a good save from Wayne Hennessey with just four minutes gone. Miller skilfully flicked on a Danny Fox cross to test the Wolves stopper, before shooting wide when one-on-one with the keeper moments later.
It was a shaky start by the Welsh side, with the Scots dominating the opening 10 minutes. But it all changed just five minutes later when David Edwards latched onto a superb Aaron Ramsey cross, to acrobatically finish and give Wales the lead.
Superb build-up play between Ramsey and Sam Ricketts on the right flank led up to the goal, and it was an early sign that ex-Bluebird Rambo was in the mood for another stellar performance.
In truth, Wales' opener came against the run of play, but it devastated the shell-shocked Scottish players and fans as Wales took the initiative and pushed to double their lead.
The second goal came on the half hour, with Ramsey at the heart of the build-up once again. He fed Joe Ledley into the penalty area, and the City star squared the ball to Reading's Simon Church who slotted home.
It was Church's second international goal at this level, and his impressive partnership with Ched Evans in the Wales attack was giving Scots centre backs Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus constant issues.
But this was the Aaron Ramsey show and just two minutes later he delivered a third as he ventured on a superb run, beating two players before slotting home for the second international goal of his career.
It was a dazzling display from the Arsenal midfielder, who showed the adoring crowd just how far he has progressed since he moved from Ninian Park to Arsenal.
Wales took their three-goal advantage into the break during which the 4,000-strong travelling contingent of Scots voiced their fury. A chorus of 'boos' from the Grange Stand let the Scottish players and management know just what they thought of their first half display.
But as the second half got under way, there was no sign of respite as Wales pushed forward for a fourth.
The new Wales front pairing of former Bluebird Robert Earnshaw and Sam Vokes instantly tested the Scottish back four, Vokes getting clear of the defence to go one-on-one with keeper Marshall. The Cardiff stopper went to ground to make the interception on Vokes outside the area, using his hands to stop Vokes' lob. Fortunately for Marshall, ref Zimmermann limited the punishment to a yellow card.
Substitutions punctuated the second half as former and current Bluebirds made their way onto the pitch in opposition. Danny Gabbidon made his second appearance at Cardiff City Stadium following his legends appearance in the summer, while Ross McCormack came on, both happily obliging requests from the crowd to do the Ayatollah.
But with Scotland bereft of ideas, Wales were allowed to pass the ball around with ease to a chorus of cheers from the majority of the crowd..
A long string of passes allowed Edwards to find Earnshaw in the penalty area with ease. Earnie was allowed the time and space to shoot but could only scoop the ball wide of Marshall's goal.
There was a late flurry by the Scots as they searched for a consolation, Ross McCormack warming the somewhat cold hands of Wayne Hennessy after being fed through by Barry Robson.
Kevin Kyle also tested the Wales stopper with six minutes to go as he latched on to a Alan Hutton cross from the right, Hennessey saving well by tipping over the bar.
But this was not Scotland's day, as Wales comfortably protected their lead and secured their second victory in two games over Scotland. Toshack's young side had fulfilled its promise in their first game at Cardiff City Stadium, a performance that will hopefully encourage more Welsh support in future matches.
Wales: Hennessey, Ricketts, Nyatanga (Gabbidon 60), Williams, Morgan, Bale, Ledley (King 80), Ramsey (Allen 57), Edwards (Cotterill 88), Evans (Vokes 45), Church (Earnshaw 45).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Easter, Dorman, Matthews, Blake.
Booked: Morgan.
Goals: Edwards (15), Church (31), Ramsey (33)
Scotland: Marshall, Hutton, McManus, Gary Caldwell, Fox (Steven Fletcher 55), Dorrans (Robson 71), Darren Fletcher, Cowie (Riordan 78), Miller (Wallace 55), Naismith (McCormack 62), McFadden (Kyle 62).
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Gallacher, Berra, Steven Caldwell, Adam.
Booked: Marshall.
Att: 13,844
Referee: Cyrill Zimmermann (Switzerland)
