PARIS: Gareth Bale scored in his third straight game at Euro 2016 to guide Wales to a 3-0 win over Russia and then revelled as they qualified for the knockout stages as Group ‘B’ winners after rivals England could only grind out a 0-0 draw with Slovakia.
In its first international tournament since the 1958 World Cup, Wales ended the group with six points, one ahead of England, who also qualify for the round of 16.
With four points on the board, Slovakia still have a chance to make it to the knockout stages as one of the best third-place teams.
Aaron Ramsey and Neil Taylor also scored in Wales’ easy win in Toulouse against a limp Russian side whose campaign has been tainted by their roughhouse fans.
In the last 16, Wales will play one of the four best third-placed finishers at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Saturday.
Bale said it had probably been his best match with Wales, who are appearing in their first European Championship finals.
“The performance was probably the best I’ve been involved in,” he said.
“We started very well, we didn’t feel too nervous at the start and were very confident,” said Bale. “To top the group, it is a dream for all of us, we said we didn’t want to just make up the numbers and we can’t do more than we have.”
Wales were dominant against a disappointing Russia side, producing an impressive counterattacking display that rested on more than just their talisman Bale.
“As a nation geographically we are small, but if you judge us by passion you could say we were a continent tonight,” Wales coach Chris Coleman said. “These players keep delivering moments that I think they’re not going to top, and they’ve done it again tonight in all fairness.”