Bale recorded a goal and an assist in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Russian Federation, guiding Wales to the top of Group B. His three goals now lead the tournament, and his performances have arguably improved with each successive game that the Dragons have played.
Advertisement
On June 11, Bale scored the first goal on a free kick against Slovakia in the Euro group B opener, helping Wales secure a 2-1 win and lead them to their first win in a major tournament.
England finished with five points, after a boring 0-0 draw with Slovakia in Saint Etienne.
Welsh players celebrate their victory over Russian Federation.
“I put a lot of practise in, even now after training I am there hitting balls doing what I normally do when I was in Madrid and at Tottenham”.
“So I can’t say my message to my players is we’re going to make up for that loss”.
While the jury may still be out on his new blond hairstyle, the consistent performances of the 25-year-old former Cardiff trainee have been integral for Wales.
They went through in a brilliant way after thrashing Russian Federation in the third game. Wales may not have had as much of the ball, but they were far more penetrative with it. Tonight that was what we wanted to work on the most and we passed it tremendously well.
Gareth Bale continues to be at the heart of a triumphant return to tournament football for Wales.
“We have had some fantastic nights over the last few years but that was really incredible”.
“This team has got the potential to go on and on, there’s more to come from these players in the future”.
It will now head to Nice to play the runner-up of Group F, which could be Hungary, Iceland, Portugal or Austria.
Even in the opening few minutes, Wales showed how unsafe they could be when the ball changed hands. Ramsey’s opening goal was an example of their quick, incisive passing as soon as possession had been turned over, with the Arsenal man dinking a lovely finish over Igor Akinfeev after a fine assist from Joe Allen. “The Russian team players will appear at the game with black mourning armbands in commemoration of the children who died in a awful tragedy in Karelia”, the union said in a statement. Bale was running them ragged.
Advertisement
In his press conference he said he believed it will only be a matter of time before this toothless England forward line find their shooting boots. Big call to play Sam Vokes but it worked as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey ran riot alongside him.
