Iceland 0 Wales 1: Toshack's Welsh youngsters look to Evans for inspiration

The Manchester City striker made a stunning impact with his backheel extending Wales' unbeaten run to six games.

John Toshack's side showed another sign of maturity and proved they are they are ready to mount a World Cup qualifying challenge.

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Ice breaker: Evans grabs the winner

Evans, 19, made a fairytale introduction to international football after coming off the bench to clinch this victory with his firsthalf goal.

Toshack opted to hand the captaincy to Carl Fletcher for the first time, with Craig Bellamy having to make do with a place on the bench after seven months out with a groin strain.

Iceland looked keen to make the most of Wales' patched-up side and came close to opening the scoring twice inside the first quarter.

Palmi Palmason's shot was deflected clear and then only a fine save from keeper Wayne Hennessey denied the striker.

Wales had plenty of possession but all too often squandered good openings as they struggled to find any rhythm.

Palmason went close again when he was inches away from meeting Emil Hallfredsson's deep cross.

It took Wales 21 minutes to muster their first attack as David Edwards just failed to meet Freddy Eastwood's cross.

Crystal Palace midfielder Fletcher's first game as skipper was marred by an ligament injury which forced the midfielder to be carried off before the break.

But his replacement Evans made an immediate impact on the stroke of half-time, backheeling Joe Ledley's dangerous cross into the net to stun the dominant hosts.

In the second half Koumas' 35-yard volley came agonisingly close to extending Wales' lead.

Bellamy was introduced for his 50th cap and Wales were increasingly in control as they looked to extend their lead, but Evans' goal proved enough.