WALES bolstered their hopes of automatic qualification with a 2-1 victory over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, with three Cherries players playing starring roles.

Former Cherries loanee Harry Wilson notched both of Wales’ goals in Cardiff, with David Brooks providing the assist for the opener.

Wilson struck again on the hour mark before Croatia set up a nervy finish with Mario Pasalic’s 75th minute header at a corner.

Brooks’ teammates Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham played the full 90 minutes as Rob Page’s men moved into the top two of Group D with two games remaining.

The majority of the Welsh chances came in the first half, with Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic fending away multiple shots.

But the breakthrough would arrive two minutes into the second period, Brooks slipping the ball through to Wilson to loft over Livakovic and send the Cardiff City Stadium into bedlam.

Wilson was at it again on 60 minutes, deftly flicking the ball into the far corner with the back of his head to send Cymru into dreamland.

With a two-goal lead to protect, Wales withdrew to weather the Croatian storm.

A Croatian corner was met by Moore, only for the striker to flick it onto the back post for Pasalic to pull one back.

But that was as dangerous as it got for Wales, who held on for a famous victory.