John Toshack's side were unlucky to come away with just a point though and a superb second half display - inspired by Ryan Giggs in his last international game - is sure to give Wales much encouragement for the future.

The result sends the Czechs clear at the top of Group D, but with Germany playing San Marino later in the day, their stay there is likely to be short lived.

Giggs signed off his international career in some style, putting in a display that served to remind Wales fans just how unlikely they are to see quite such a talent again.

After a relatively subdued first half, Wales and Giggs burst into life in the second, with the Manchester United winger at the heart in most of the hosts' attacking play.

Jason Koumas thundered a free kick against the angle of post and bar before Giggs took control of things, his vision and running causing havoc in the Czech defence. He even nearly scored a wonder goal every bit as good as the one he netted against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final in 1999, but was denied at the last by Petr Cech.

Giggs' performance reflected everything good about his career and was filled with mazy dribbles, neat flicks, precise passing and efforts on goal. That he could not cap his final appearance in a Wales shirt with a goal was a real shame.

The first half was a different story though, and as an attacking unit, Wales lacked a decisive pass and Craig Bellamy was all too often expected to get on the end of long aerial balls, when he surely would have preferred running into the channels.

Giggs did his best to unlock the visitors' defence and he and Bellamy started well, linking up well together on a number of occasions, just without an end result.

It was Giggs who came closest to opening the scoring for the hosts, but Cech always knew the winger's free kick on 13 minutes was going over and was able to watch it fly into the stands without moving.

While Wales were playing a long ball game that was not suited to their players, the Czech Republic - despite boasting target man Jan Koller in their side - opted to play their football on the floor.

And it nearly paid off for them, Koller only being denied a shooting opportunity by great saving challenges from James Collins on three separate occasions in the first half.

20-year-old Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey looked confident on his debut and his save from Tomas Rosicky's 25-yarder ensured sure the two sides went into the dressing rooms at half time locked at 0-0.

Wales then came flying out of the blocks in the second half and deserved to take the lead even before Koumas rattled the upright from his free kick.

Almost immediately after the restart, Giggs beautifully took down a long ball without even breaking stride before beating Tomas Ujfalusi at the bye-line and pulling it back for Bellamy. But the Liverpool man deliberated slightly too long and David Rozehnal was able to move in and make the challenge.

Giggs was then involved once again just minutes later, his curler bringing Cech into action, before he spotted the keeper off his line and attempted an audacious volley from fully 40 yards. His effort lacked power though and once again Cech was able to claim.

Simon Davies then went close with a long range shot, while Koumas continued to threaten with his ability to strike a ball sweetly.

At the back, the West Ham duo of Collins and Danny Gabbidon stood firm all game long, although they did allow Koller, back on more familiar territory, a header from five yards out just after the restart. Fortunately for the hosts, the big man fluffed his lines and the ball struck his shoulder before Sam Ricketts nipped in to clear.

The expected onslaught from the Czechs as the game neared its conclusion never came, and it was Wales who looked the likelier team to open the scoring. As it was, it ended goalless, leaving Welsh fans to reflect on missing out on another major tournament and life without Giggs.