Coleman said Bale understands exactly what’s required of him and “he delivers that and what comes of that is three million people Welsh people absolutely loving him to pieces”.
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It took 58 years for Wales to score another goal at an global tournaments, but judging by these fans reaction, it was worth the wait.
Ramsey then looped a 72nd minute header over from Robson-Kanu’s cross, but he made amends with 10 minutes to play. “As I’ve said many a time, it’s about the team, not about individuals”.
And inevitably it was Bale, another former Spurs star, who broke the deadlock in the 10th minute.
Supporting Wales is much like supporting Real Madrid.
With Marek Hamsik and Gareth Bale earmarked as the danger men, it was the Napoli midfielder who nearly scored two minutes in.
Colman’s men now face England on Thursday before next Monday’s final Group B game against Russian Federation and, with 16 of the 24 teams in the Euros qualifying for the knockout stages, they look to be in a strong position to extend their stay in France.
That seemed to charge the Welsh, remind them of the need to impose themselves on the game, not to be undermined by the newness of their surroundings.
“We’ll stick to what we believe in because that’s what got us here”.
Anything the team achieve is done thanks to him.
Wales made the most of their reprieve from Hamsik’s run and shot when twice Champions League victor Bale was given his first sight of goal and caught Kozacik on the wrong foot. It is a case of In Bale we trust.
Roy Hodgson may rue his decision not to push for a second goal and instead to replace captain Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling with the more defensive minded Jack Wilshere and James Milner in an attempt to protect the slender lead.
Substitute Hal Robson-Kanu applied the finishing touch after an Aaron Ramsey assist to give Wales victory against Slovakia.
In Lens, for the first time in European Championship history, two brothers played for opposing sides when Switzerland beat Albania 1-0 on Saturday in their opening Group A match.
Wales are the underdogs, but that is fine with us.
England were in control, though, and Wayne Rooney almost gave them the lead on 71 minutes when Danny Rose’s low cross deflected into his path inside the area, but Akinfeev was able to divert his shot onto the crossbar. Should Wales win England would be staring at an early exit and that is what Bale is targeting. I do not know, if I did I would be straight down the bookies to make a swift bundle. “I think a draw would have been fairer”.
‘To make our dreams come true’.
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“Obviously [Ramsey] has done great and he’s opened up a bit of space and the ball has dropped to me in the box and I’ve managed to get it in the corner”, Robson-Kanu told BBC Sport.
