Wales created countless chances but had to settle for first-half goals from Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale and a Jason Koumas penalty in the second period, although qualification looks a remote prospect for John Toshack's side.

Wales dominated the opening half, creating plenty of chances against a side who had lost every one of their 39 European qualifying matches over the years.

Wales got the start they dreamed of, taking the lead after just two minutes.

Simon Davies' pass found Koumas, and the midfielder's instant pass reached Giggs unmarked on the edge of the box. He glided into yards of space to expertly sidefoot the ball past Aldo Simoncini.

Jermaine Easter set up Carl Fletcher for a 20-yard effort which was tipped over, before Giggs almost embarrassed Simoncini from 30 yards.

The San Marino goalkeeper got back to knock the ball down, and then hurled himself at Craig Bellamy's feet to block the rebound.

In the 20th minute Wales scored again, with Bale netting from 25 yards.

Koumas curled a free-kick inches wide and Giggs set up Davies for an angled shot, before James Collins rose to head a Giggs corner over.

Koumas then produced a delicate chip from 18 yards that clipped the bar with Simoncini stranded.

Simoncini was in constant action, and threw himself at Bellamy's feet to stop a point-blank effort, then Giggs glided into space again, running onto a Davies chip.

But from 12 yards he managed to lift the ball over.

Wales sent on Wigan's David Cotterill for Easter at the break, and the one-way traffic continued.

Cotterill had a shot charged down before Bellamy's flicked header went past the far post.

Simoncini got down to push a low Davies effort past the post, and Wales were showing signs of frustration that they had not taken more of the chances created.

But the hosts eventually got their third goal on the hour when referee Ararat Tchagharyan decided that a bodycheck by Simone Bacciocchi on Cotterill was inside the box.

Koumas then saw his spot-kick half stopped by Simoncini, the ball rolling behind the keeper and over the line as the taker ushered it in.