Robson-Kanu strikes late to give Wales 2-1 win over Slovakia

Gareth Bale heaped praise on match-winning team-mate Hal Robson-Kanu after the substitute struck the victor in Wales’ 2-1 victory against Slovakia. Johnny Williams was brought down following on from his mazy run, and up stepped Bale, who dipped his 30-yard free-kick left-footed over the wall, which swerved past Kozacik.

The first chance came for Slovakia after just two minutes, when Hamsik galloped beyond the defence and his subsequent shot beat Ward and was superbly cleared to safety by Ben Davies.

Playing in their first tournament since 1958, Bale’s strike after just ten minutes was cancelled out by substitute Ondrej Duda on the hour.

Slovakia’s unbeaten run ends at eight games as a result of their defeat, with Russian Federation up next for Jan Kozak’s side, while Wales will be buoyed ahead of their clash against England in Lens on Thursday.

Though Bale was the focus of much of Slovakia’s attention, it was a substitute who actually secured the team’s victory. “We just want the points, we want the wins, we want to go as far as we can in this tournament”. Showed great work-rate throughout and an energetic performance lifted his team-mates to dig deep for Wales’ historic first win at the European Championship finals. The 26-year-old displayed plenty of both during the warm-up and national anthem as Land of My Fathers was belted out loud on the pitch and in the stands at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.

“The goal is right up there”.

After Mak had wasted a 54th minute chance, Bale nearly doubled Wales’ advantage only for Kozacik to save his powerful header. Real Madrid star Gareth Bale gave Wales the lead in the 10th minute with a free-kick.

Coach Chris Coleman, whose decision to introduce Robson-Kanu gave Wales late impetus, said he would stick with the same overall approach for the crunch match with England in Lens on Thursday.

With ten minutes played, Wales found their lead.

Robson-Kanu, who is a free agent after being released by Reading at the end of his contract, accepted it was not his finest goal.

Adam Nemec went close to a late equaliser after getting across Ashley Williams, but his header came back off the post with Ward beaten, leaving Wales to celebrate.