Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be given to Wales is that this cauldron of noise, which at kick-off seemed so threatening, was reduced to a quiet hum after the 50th minute
That was the moment when Gareth Bale reminded us why Real Madrid paid £86million for his signature, why the caustic treatment of his recent performances in Spain seems so odd.
Having drawn a foul from Eytan Tibi inches outside the box with his pace, he dispatched the ball into the net as simply as if from the penalty spot in any case.
His shot curled over the wall with surgical placement. Goalkeeper Ofir Marciano did not move. His rapturous celebration spoke of the goal’s personal significance and collective importance.
It was his 15th in 49 caps for Wales, moving him level with John Charles in the all-time scorers chart.
He went past the great man 13 minutes from the end to rubber stamp this momentous win that sends Wales top of Group B at the halfway stage and within sight of a first major tournament since 1958. Aaron Ramsey provided the assist, seizing possession on the left and cutting back for Bale to finish into the corner.
Ramsey deserves focus here too. He turned in his best performance in a Welsh shirt for some considerable period, and got the opening goal eight seconds into first-half injury time that sucked the feverish hostility from the throats of Israel’s fans.
For all Wales pretty passing, it was route one stuff. Wayne Hennessey pumped the ball long and Israel allowed it to bounce. Bale stole above Tibi to nod into the path of Ramsey, who delivered a brilliant header over Marciano.
Ramsey celebrated by running to the 900 Wales fans and pointing to the skies. Much-loved kitman Dai Williams passed away last month and the players wore black armbands in tribute.
By the end, Wales were running through 10-man Israel at will, Tibi having been sent off for a second booking shortly after 2-0 for fouling Bale again.
Substitute Sam Vokes, making his first international appearance in a year following serious injury, nearly scored, and Bale twice went close to getting his hat-trick.
Israel are no mugs. Their 3-0 win over Bosnia here in November and perfect record prior to this game, is indication of that. But they were made to look woefully short by Wales, who take a giant step to Euro 2016.
All the ingredients to make this a defining night were mixed together in the Sammy Ofer Stadium. Two nations enjoying unprecedentedly good qualifying campaigns with designs on reaching a major finals for the first time in a generation.
The noise for the Israel national anthem as thousands held up Star of David flags told you that. The whistles greeting early touches by Wales players were piercing in the extreme.
Bale’s name over the tannoy drew louder cat calls than any. ‘Haters gonna hate,’ read a sign in the away section, directed more towards Madrid’s critical following than those here in Haifa.
He did have at least one fan in the home crowd. A poster of ‘We love you Bale’ could be seen behind one goal.
Bale started alongside Reading’s Hal Robson-Kanu, but in truth the world’s most expensive player roamed all over the pitch. What else did we expect?
Coleman went for the 5-3-2 formation initially used to ill effect in the stuttering win over Andorra, but better against Bosnia. Designed to give Bale that central role it also helped nullify the threat of Israel’s quick wingers Tal Ben Haim and Lior Refaelov.
Little battles all over the pitch showed the tension. An early shove by Neil Taylor on Orel Dgani as the pair tussled for a throw in drew high-pitched screeching from the stands. James Collins suggested Eli Guttman might ‘f*** off’ when the Israel manager appealed for a card after Omri Ben Harush dramatically rolled on the turf following a collision for a high ball.
Wales took control where it mattered, Joe Allen, Joe Ledley and Ramsey exhibiting their Premier League pedigree.
Ramsey had the first shot in the seventh minute, cutting in from the right and bending wide an attempt with the outside of his right boot.
Four minutes later a mistake by Eytan Tibi saw Bale advance towards goal in that style we have become accustomed. But when he pulled the trigger from the edge of the area the ball went wide of the far post.
Still, it was Wales on the front foot. Their pressure cranked up with a sustained spell in the Israel half soon after. As the seconds ticked on the disapproving clamour from the home fans grew louder, unbearable almost.
Allen had a shot blocked, Ramsey a corner cleared and then Bale delivered a wonderful cross to an unmarked Welshman at the back stick.
Unfortunately it was Collins, who stood on the ball from two yards out rather than apply the finishing touch that had seemed certain. The pause allowed Ben Harush to gather and clear.
In the end, as Wales fans sung ‘We are top of the league’, it was a mere footnote.
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