Wales dominant as it beats Russian Federation 3-0 to win group

WALES manager Chris Coleman has hailed Sam Vokes as “immense” after the Burnley striker played a pivotal role in his side beating Russian Federation 3-0 to win their Euro 2016 group.

But Coleman insists the manner of the victory was even more pleasing than the result, as his side prepare for a last-16 clash in Paris on Saturday, against a third-placed team from Group A, C or D.

Ramsey said: “Anything can happen now in these knockout games”.

Asked if claiming top spot gave Wales a better chance of progressing deep into the tournament, he said: “It definitely does”.

The Arsenal midfielder believes events over the past few years have formed a special bond in the squad. We said we didn’t want to make the numbers up. “There are no individuals, and that goes with our slogan – “together, stronger”.

Ramsey opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a quick counterattack, chipping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. It’s horses for courses sometimes and I thought he was vast.

“It was an incredible occasion”, he said.

Bale, now the tournament’s top scorer, became the first player since Czech striker Milan Baros in 2004 to score three goals in the first three group games of the competition. “We are delighted and very proud”.

After losing 1-2 against England in Lens last Thursday, Wales showed character and courage to not only beat Russian Federation but also do so in style.

“I said after the England game from what we’d seen of Russian Federation I was confident we could get something from the game and that proved to be correct”.

Mutko tells Russian state news agency Tass that “we don’t have any top class players right now” and that “perhaps many have a lack of desire to grow, to move, to ideal themselves”. We’re delighted with that and hopefully we can keep that up. “I’m sure that once we know, we’ll look at that game and that game only”.