Wales restored some pride after their embarrassing mauling against Slovakia with a 3-1 victory and a much-improved performance at the Millennium Stadium.
They were steered to three points against Cyprus by an inspired display from stand-in skipper Craig Bellamy, who scored his first goal for his country in 20 months.
Not far behind Liverpool striker Bellamy as the match's standout performer was Everton's Simon Davies, who relished the chance of match action after weeks of being left on the fringes at his club.
Jason Koumas, playing against a country he also qualified to play for, headed the first goal before Robert Earnshaw grabbed the second.
Bellamy lobbed a superb third in the second half.
Cyprus hit back through Yiannakis Okkas late on in the Group D match and caused momentary concern.
But after the horror of the defeat by Slovakia in Cardiff, this will give boss John Toshack respite from criticism as he tries to rebuild Wales with young players.
Wales gave MK Dons defender Craig Morgan, 21, his full international debut. The only other change from the side beaten 5-1 by Slovakia at the same stadium four days ago was the inclusion of Ipswich goalkeeper Lewis Price, who won his third cap.
Toshack kept faith with striker Earnshaw despite hauling him off at half-time on Saturday, and was rewarded with a fine poacher's goal from the Norwich man.
Wales almost went in front inside the first minute.
Craig Bellamy raced onto a pass, and pushed the ball away from onrushing goalkeeper Michalis Morfis - who felled him outside the box. Referee Jacek Granat amazingly waved play on.
Wales were quick and mobile with Bellamy using his pace well on the left and Davies relishing space on the other flank, but Cyprus had to be taken seriously and Okkas was unfortunate to see a shot deflect wide from the edge of the box.
Wales produced some excellent one-touch attacking play and Earnshaw saw an angled drive deflected over the bar after being played in by Koumas. Bellamy then set up Koumas whose angled shot hit the outside of the left post.
After 26 minutes, Earnshaw cut inside from the left and curled a fine 25-yard shot, which Morfis touched against a post at full stretch.
Davies then produced another fine run and cross and this time it created the breakthrough.
He man surged down the right and crossed to beyond the far post where Koumas met the ball with a firm downward header.
The ball bounced in front of Morfis who flapped and pushed it a yard over the line before it was hacked clear.Polish referee Granat had no hesitation in awarding the goal.
Six minutes later it was 2-0. Carl Robinson put Bellamy away and he calmly waited for support before squaring the ball for Earnshaw to finish from six yards.
Within a minute of the break Cyprus should have replied when Okkas had a close-range effort well saved by Price, the ball bouncing out to Stathis Aloneftis who missed from 10 yards.
Bellamy almost created another for Earnshaw with a fine cross. Earnshaw's header hit Morfis' feet and bounced to safety.
Davies then blocked a Morfis clearance and the ball broke for Earnshaw, 10 yards out.
It looked as though Loukas Louka pulled him down from behind in the act of shooting, but referee Granat waved away appeals for a penalty.
Wales, though, were still under pressure as Cyprus kept coming forward, and Price saved well from a Michalis Konstantinou header before Lambros Lambrou fired wide from 30 yards.
Bellamy was rewarded for his running and effort with his first Wales goal since Toshack's first match in February 2005.
He took a fine through-ball from Davies and produced an instant chip from 18 yards that left Morfis stranded.
Bellamy's relief at only his second club or country goal this season was obvious.
Joe Ledley came on for Koumas after 76 minutes, and a minute later Rob Edwards took over from Richard Duffy.
Davies broke away on the right in the 80th minute and saw his shot touched away by the boot of Morfis.
Wales were guilty of showboating in the closing stages and were punished when Okkas got away on the right to superbly chip Price after 83 minutes.
In injury time Bellamy was replaced by Paul Parry, and there was still time for Earnshaw to break clear and waste the chance of a fourth after rounding the goalkeeper.
