Wales are on the verge of qualification for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after a vintage performance by Bale in the play-off semi-final against Austria.
The home crowd in Wales erupted in joy after Bale's majestic free-kick, which hit the back of the net.
Wales captain struck again early in the second half, shooting beautifully on the turn from a short corner.
Wales stood up to the challenge with a defensive display, despite Austria's efforts to get back into the game.
The play-off final between Wales and Scotland was supposed to be played next Tuesday, but was postponed because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The play-off final between Scotland and Ukraine is expected to take place later in the same month.
For now, Wales can be happy that they are one victory away from the World Cup.
The Welsh folk singer Dafydd Iwan led a rendition of his song Yma o Hyd before the crowd took over to bellow the national anthem with even greater passion than usual.
The fervent atmosphere helped Wales start the game at a fast pace, pressing Austria high up the pitch. With only 80 seconds gone, Daniel James was able to get a shot off after being dispossessed by Austria captain David Alaba.
It was frenetic at both ends and Austria missed a golden opportunity when Sabitzer played a fine through ball for Baumgartner, who had time and only Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey to beat, but hit his shot against the woodwork.
Wales continued to pour forward, their attacking line-up including Bale, Ramsey, James, and Wilson all from the start, playing with an admirable sense of adventure.
Bale produced his moment of genius midway through the first half.
The build-up to this game was dominated by speculation about the fitness of the captain, who has only played two hours of football for Real Madrid in the past six months.
The Bale of old was his first goal. He had not scored for Wales since Euro 2016 but he hit a 25-yard free-kick that clipped the bar and sent the Red Wall into raptures.
There were chances for Wales to extend their lead before the half-time break, but it was Bale who provided the inspiration after the break.
From a short corner, Williams swung in a low cross which Davies touched into Bale's path and Wales' all-time leading scorer took his tally to 38 with a fierce drive into the top far corner.
It felt like a golden summer in France when Wales fans sang Don't Take Me Home and watched a Bale performance.
The national team qualified for back-to-back European Championships and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in the most successful period in the history of Wales.
Despite the high world rankings and heroic contributions from Bale, Ramsey and others, World Cups have remained elusive.
Since the World Cup in Sweden in 1958, Wales have frequently and painfully fallen at the final hurdle.
A sense of anxiety swept around the stadium as supporters wondered if this was the latest in a long line of setbacks, from Scotland in 1977 to Romania in the 1980's.
Austria took control of the game in the second half despite not creating many scoring opportunities.
James wasted two gilt-edged chances to heighten the sense of nervousness among the home fans.
The team is not weighed down by the failures of the past.
Most of these players are too young to remember the bad old days and have instead been brought up in an era of regular qualification and winning at home, where they have not lost in 17 games.
Robert Page's men still have one more game to play, but this victory will strengthen their belief that they will be the team to end their nation's long wait to play at a World Cup.
Formation 3-6-2
14Roberts10Ramsey7Allen8Wilson3N WilliamsFormation 4-2-1-2.
21Lainer3Dragovic4Hinteregger8Alaba20Laimer23Schlager16Seiwald19BaumgartnerWales defeated Austria by a score of 2 to 1.
The second half ended with Wales and Austria.
Corner of Wales. The man was Conceded by Lindner.
The attempt was saved. Brennan Johnson's shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Harry Wilson assisted.
The yellow card shows Neco Williams.
Nicolas Seiwald had a foul.
Ramsey won the free kick on the left wing.
Wales. Brennan Johnson is caught off guard by a through ball.
Wales. Chris Mepham takes the place of Bale.
An attempt was missed. Bale's shot from outside the box is too high. They were assisted by Connor Roberts.
The attempt was saved. The top of the goal is where the save was made on the Austrian's head from a difficult angle on the right. Nicolas Seiwald assisted.
The attempt was blocked. The shot from outside the box is blocked by the other team.
Austria. Michael Gregoritsch is the new person.
Wales. Daniel James was replaced by Brennan Johnson.
The yellow card is for a bad foul.
The Austrian had a foul.
The left wing is where Harry Wilson won the free kick.
The attempt was blocked. Neco Williams' shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Harry Wilson assisted.
The person is foul by the person.
Roberts won the free kick on the right wing.
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