Bale fires in Moldova stroll

Gareth Bale scored two goals and created another as Euro 2016 sensation Wales crushed Moldova 4-0 in its opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on Monday.

The Real Madrid forward teed up Sam Vokes for a 38th-minute opener and then scored his 23rd and 24th international goals after Joe Allen had registered his first.

Chris Coleman's Wales reached the semifinals at Euro 2016 before losing to eventual champion Portugal and is seeking to qualify for its first World Cup since 1958.