Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Robert Lewandowksi, Thomas Müller, David Alaba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have all failed to find the back of the net so far in Euro 2016. Most of them have struggled to contribute to goals as well. But unlike all of them, Gareth Bale has met expectations, carrying Wales to their greatest ever results at a major tournament.
Gareth Bale is the only big star living up to the billing at Euro 2016
Wales’ wizard has delivered them a knockout stage place.
Ian Walton/Getty Images
His best play of Euro 2016 thus far was probably his assist to Neil Taylor on Wales’ second goal on Tuesday. He did it all -- picking up the ball in midfield, dribbling past defenders, drawing the entire Russia defense to him and putting a perfect pass on a silver platter for his teammate.
Credit: user papa_poncho on r/soccer
His goal was just an exclamation point in a game that Wales controlled from start to finish, as Russia gave little indication that they had the capacity to mount a serious challenge. He timed a late run into the box perfectly, read that he had the space to take a touch, then dinked an outside of the boot finish into the back of the net.
Credit: user papa_poncho on r/soccer
This victory for Wales means they’re going to play a third-placed team in the Round of 16. They’re unlikely to end up facing a side stronger than the England team they played very close or the Slovakia side they beat. Wales has every chance to make the quarterfinal. They mostly have Bale -- the best player so far at the European Championships -- to thank for that.
See More:
