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WCQ: Bale hat-trick saves Wales from embarrassing defeat to Belarus

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Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick to hand Wales victory in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Sunday.

The Real Madrid forward netted deep into added time to complete a match-winning hat-trick which saved Wales from an embarrassing defeat.

Wales made the ideal start as Bale’s fifth-minute penalty gave them an early lead.

But goals from Vitali Lisakovich and Pavel Sedko in the 29th (penalty) and 30th minutes respectively put Belarus in front.

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Bale then scored his second spot-kick to bring Wales level on the 69th before sealing victory in the third of four minutes of injury time.

The Skipper came to his country’s rescue with a low shot which Belarus goalkeeper Sergei Chernik allowed to squirm under his body and into the net.

Wales had lost to Kazan in their campaign opener, and a defeat to Belarus would have ended their hopes of reaching Qatar 2022.

Only the group winners qualify automatically and Group E leaders Belgium remain overwhelming favourites ahead of the second-placed Czech Republic and Wales, who are third with a game in hand.

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