The result saw the Czech Republic go top of the table by one point from Germany, who have two games in hand, but left Wales in fifth place, their hopes of reaching the European Championships all but extinguished after Jason Koumas had hit the post. Wales captain Giggs was calling time on a 16-year career with his 64th international, having explained earlier this week that, at the age of 33, he felt he couldn't give his best for both English champions Manchester United, his only senior club, and his country.

"I'm just disappointed, with the chances we created that we just couldn't put the ball in the net," Giggs told Sky Sports afterwards.

"But that's the benchmark, a great performance right from the start. Defensively we didn't give them a kick. We created chances, so that's what we need to do in the future."

Giggs so nearly signed off in fairytale fashion in the second half when his superb solo run ended with a shot pushed away by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

"I should have scored," Giggs said. "I'd done the hard work and beat a couple of players but whipped it too much really. I should have scored and put it in the corner."

A proud Giggs, substituted just before the finish by manager John Toshack, said: "The Czech Republic are a very good team but we made them look ordinary at times."

He added: "Obviously it's been emotional this week, saying goodbye to everyone. I've enjoyed it, it's been great and I wish the lads all the best in the future.

"It was great. It was a shame I couldn't have gone off with a win but the fans have been great right from day one, right to the end."

In the first half, Wales showed plenty of resilience and some neat touches up front against their highly regarded opponents.

The Czechs had plenty of possession but rarely threatened. Wales's best effort was a Giggs free-kick over the crossbar while 20-year-old home goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, in his first competitive international, produced a fine diving save from Tomas Rosicky's 25-yard shot.

Wales, much improved from last week's 2-2 friendly draw against New Zealand, started brightly with Koumas's pass to Craig Bellamy just cut out when the striker was waiting to pounce while Giggs's 13th minute free-kick curled over Cech's crossbar.

But Rosicky went close in the 18th minute and James Collins then charged down a Jan Koller attempt.

Simon Davies, Bellamy and Koumas all combined three minutes before the break with Cech having to make his first save of the match.

Koumas then came agonisingly close for Wales in the 50th minute when his curling free-kick from 20 yards hit Cech's right post with the keeper beaten.

Giggs then produced a moment of fine solo brilliance, running at the Czech defence with a superb 50 yard sprint that saw him beat several defenders, only for Cech to beat away a shot high to his right.

But at the other end Hennessey had to be sharp to keep out a shot from substitute Marek Kulic.

Toshack with two minutes to go, substituted Giggs and the crowd rose to applaud their hero, replaced by Robert Earnshaw,

Giggs, like so many Wales stars, quit international football never having played in the final stages of a major tournament, his country's last such appearance coming at the 1958 World Cup.