Bale in cloud nine as Wales reach Euro quarterfinal

Gareth Bale urged Wales to continue “riding the wave” after clinching their spot in the last eight of Euro 2016.

Wales reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship for the first time with a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland on Saturday as Gareth Bale showed his quality with a teasing cross turned into his own net by Gareth McAuley.

“It’s similar to qualifying, you get one win and the confidence grows,” said Bale.

“We’re very confident at the moment, we know we’ve had difficult games.

“But we’ve battled today, shown our team spirit and passion and we just want to carry on riding this wave.

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“We will keep working hard to get as far as we can.”

Hungary and Belgium will meet in Toulouse on Sunday night to decide who plays Wales in Lille.

“I can’t choose (who to play),” said Bale.

“Hungary have been very good in this tournament, but we probably know a bit more about Belgium as they have been in our last two qualifying groups.

“Either game, no matter who we play, will be difficult.

Wales had hogged possession and spent most of the second half on the front foot, but were unable to break down a resilient Irish rearguard until Bale produced the only moment of genuine class in the match after 75 minutes.

The Welsh talisman, who had been expertly shackled for the entire encounter, was allowed a few metres of space and took the opportunity with relish, whipping a devilish cross into the box that McAuley could only turn into his own net.

It was a cruel blow for the Irish, who had more than held their own in a scruffy encounter, but lacked the quality to craft enough chances to trouble a Wales side who will now face Hungary or Belgium in the last eight in Lille on Friday.

 

 

 

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