RUSSIA 0 : 3 WALES
Wales produced a breathtaking win to convincingly thump a country with 100 times the population. Aaron Ramsey, Neil Taylor and Gareth Bale scored as Chris Coleman’s red shirts comprehensively beat the 2018 World Cup hosts. With England and Slovakia drawing, Wales finished top of the group and will face a third place side in the next round. Northern Ireland and Albania remain possibilities, as does a tougher tie with the Czech Republic or Croatia.
Russia entered the match with one point after a draw with England and a loss to Slovakia. Wales had beaten Slovakia and lost to England. As is so often the case, eyes and ears were on the other group game where England played Slovakia but Wales’ performance was the most memorable thing anywhere in the tournament so far.
Sam Vokes replaced Hal Robson-Kanu as the one chance in Coleman’s line up.
Wales dominated this match from the very beginning. Bale tested Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev early in the third minute but a good save foiled him. It was one of many produced by the beleaguered CSKA Moscow stopper. It wasn’t long however before he was collecting the ball from the back of his net.
In 11 minutes, Aaron Ramsey beautifully timed his run and faced Akinfeev one on one from Joe Allen’s pass. He chipped and scored to give Wales the lead, a lead that they never relinquished.
The hymn Calon Lân boomed out from the Welsh fans but they were about to be given yet more reasons to sing.
Neil Taylor was put clearly in on the Wales left inside the box. His first shot hit Akinfeev but he coolly plopped in the rebound with his first goal for Wales. Sam Vokes headed weakly at the keeper before Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey foiled Artyom Dzyuba in a rare Russian chance.
Just before half time, Bale collected the ball in the center circle, beat two men but fired straight at Akinfeev. He did the same again shortly after the interval as the Welsh onslaught continued unabated. Akinfeev came out and narrowed the angle again ten minutes later to shut down Bale.
But the Real Madrid winger had the last laugh. He added the third after a superb pass from Ramsey with Vokes cleverly leaving the ball as he was offside, allowing Bale to adeptly flick the ball home with the outside of his boot.
EURO2016
