The pursuit of perfection can consume some sportspeople. Logically, they know the goal itself is unattainable, but the endeavour to get there can take them to new heights.

Craig Bellamy is one such person. He doubts whether anyone or anything can be perfect but, on Tuesday night, he saw his Wales team come close as they dismantled North Macedonia 7-1.

The result was one thing, the victory Wales needed to finish second in their World Cup qualifying group and secure home advantage for their play-off semi-final in March.

The performance was another matter altogether, a dizzying mix of expressive, ultra-attacking football played at a rapid pace, combined with a raw physical intensity off the ball which overwhelmed their opponents.

North Macedonia had only conceded three goals in seven qualifiers before coming to Cardiff City Stadium. They doubled that total in the space of 19 first-half minutes, before leaving the Welsh capital humiliated.

“I am not a perfect person, I haven’t come across anyone who is,” said Bellamy .

“But maybe I take a little bit of that back because that was as close to the perfect performance as I have seen. That was incredible.

“The way we were able to use the ball, our timing. We didn’t play with a forward, we had three [number] 10s. But they were in the position where you drag someone out and someone runs, then the wide players were connected with it as well.

“We were just so clean with the ball and that allows you to have good chances. It was one of those days where we are able to take them as well.”