Wales’ Gareth Bale (right)
Gareth Bale has scored two goals in two games, and he’s ready for more.
The Wales forward, who scored with free kicks in each of his previous matches at the European Championship, will be looking for another when his team plays Russia in their final Group B match today [Tuesday].
Wales has impressed in its first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, beating Slovakia and putting in a good first-half display against England before conceding a late goal to lose 2-1.
In spite of that loss, Wales is in a strong position to make it out of the group and into the knockout stages at Euro 2016.
“The tournament is not over yet,” said Bale, who last month helped Real Madrid win the Champions League. “We are still in the thick of it and we will go into our last game with even more strength.”
Wales coach Chris Coleman said the stoppage-time loss to England was “gut-wrenching,” and said his players will have to bounce back before today’s match at the Stadium de Toulouse.
“It’s all in the last game,” Coleman said. “Russia have got experience. Whichever team are able to put the disappointments behind them, they’ll be the ones to prevail.”
Russia has one point after drawing 1-1 with England in its first match before its 2-1 loss to Slovakia.
Russia midfielder Denis Glushakov, who scored against Slovakia, said the team’s players need to put their poor start to Euro 2016 behind them and focus on beating Wales.
“We need to move forward and give it 100 percent or even 200 percent,” Glushakov said, “and then we will get a result.” MDT/AP
No Comments