Wales
snatched a late winner against Slovakia in their Euro 2016 opener to make a
dramatic return to major tournaments after a 58-year absence.
Slovakia's Ondrej Duda punished passive Welsh defending to
equalise.
But substitute Hal Robson-Kanu's scuffed finish won it for
Wales, who now have an excellent chance of progressing to the second round.
Chris Coleman's side face England on Thursday and, with 16
of the 24 teams qualifying for the knockout stages, they can justifiably hope
for an extended stay in France.
Absent from major tournaments since the 1958 World Cup,
Wales' deafening fans made for a euphoric atmosphere inside a Stade de Bordeaux
awash with red.
Coleman had spoken beforehand about the importance of
seizing this historic moment, and his players did so with a wholehearted
display.
The wait is over
Slovakia were also making their first appearance in the
finals stage of a European Championship and, having beaten Spain in qualifying
and knocked Italy out of the 2010 World Cup, they had proved they had a taste
for the big occasion. While Welsh hopes depended heavily on Bale, Slovakia's
threat was expected to come from their talisman and top-scorer in qualifying,
Marek Hamsik.
The Napoli playmaker lived up to his billing, slaloming his
way through Wales' defence after three minutes and appearing certain to score,
only to be denied by a brilliant goalline clearance by Ben Davies.
It was a frantic start to the match with both sides
seemingly inspired by the magnitude of the moment.
And it was Bale who revelled in it most, striking with a
wobbling free-kick that Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik should have saved.
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