Toulouse: Gareth Bale struck his third goal in as many Euro 2016 games as brilliant Wales cruised into the last 16 as winners of Group ‘B’ with a clinical 3-0 dismantling of Russia on Monday.
First-half strikes by Aaron Ramsey and Neil Taylor sent Chris Coleman’s men well on their way to a comprehensive win in Toulouse against an overwhelmed Russian side.
But Bale was a constant threat all night and grabbed his third goal of the tournament when he cleverly dinked the ball past Igor Akinfeev with the outside of his right boot midway through the second half as Russia were eliminated.
The win coupled with a 0-0 draw between England and Slovakia in Saint-Etienne allowed Wales to top the group and set up a last-16 tie in Paris this weekend.
After a promising start that saw Bale force Akinfeev to save down low in the opening minute, it was Arsenal midfielder Ramsey who got Wales up and running in the 11th minute.
Ramsey ran on to Joe Allen’s superb pass that split the Russian defence and dinked the ball over the onrushing Akinfeev and in. Ramsey’s maiden goal at a Euros sent the huge Welsh support behind the goal wild, and took the wind out of Russia’s sails.
Slutsky’s men quickly lost composure in the key area of midfield, and Wales made them pay. When Allen’s smart ball found Bale in acres of space as he powered up the middle, the Russians left the left flank wide open for Taylor.
Bale’s attempted pass took a deflection, but Taylor latched on to beat Akinfeev at the second attempt after the rebound fell nicely to double Wales’ lead on 20 minutes. It was full-back Taylor’s first goal for anyone in more than six years.
Wales got their third goal midway through the second half. Ramsey ran across the edge of the area to draw the Russian defence and slipped a pass through for Bale, who coolly dinked the ball past the goalie to seal a famous Welsh win.
