Bale scored the opening goal from a 10th-minute free-kick as Chris Coleman’s side registered a 2-1 victory in Bordeaux in what was a first European Championship finals fixture for both sides.
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Gareth Bale gave Wales an early lead, before Slovakia substitute Ondrej Duda equalised on 61 minutes, but Welsh substitute Hal Robson-Kanu scrambled home an 80th minute victor to send the 25,000 Wales supporters in the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux delirious.
Slovakia had periods in the game when it was dominant, notably at the start of the match when it nearly took the lead as soon as the third minute when Marek Hamsik’s effort was cleared off the line by an excellent sliding interception from defender Ben Davies.
Slovakia still had time to equalize once again, but a header by Nemec clanked off the woodwork with the clock winding down.
In the 81st minute, Ledley played a superb long pass to Ramsey, who nicked the ball past Skrtel and into the path of Robson-Kanu who scuffed the ball through the legs of Durica and beyond the goalkeeper. Coleman said before the game that his players would rise to the challenge after a disappointing run of results – and they did just that.
There was also a first global start for Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward, in for the injured Wayne Hennessey.
Ondrej Duda, attacking midfielder of Slovakia, equalized in the 60th minute after coming on just some seconds.
Slovakia coach Jan Kozak was left licking his wounds after his failed to take advantage when they were on top.
When asked if his goal was one of the best of his career so far, Bale added: “It’s definitely right up there”.
He said: ‘It’s just a very proud moment really.
For Wales, the occasion was even bigger because the country had not competed in a major tournament since reaching the knockout phase at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
“It is one we are looking forward to”.
“We’re obviously thrilled and proud to come away with three points”, Allen told a news conference, “but we’re wary there are two more games”.
Bale carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, but he says he is unconcerned by the weight of expectation.
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“It’s hard to anticipate the result, they have two matches to get the results they need, and they have a very good chance to qualify now. Everyone has a part to play and we will keep fighting”.
