WALES N IRELAND BALE OUT
It’s child’s play
carried themselves into this last-16 game with a collective team spirit based on an unshakeable belief in O’Neill’s tactics.
Wales were carried there by one man – Bale. Whenever he was on the ball it was a trigger for three Irish players to converge on the La Liga star.
That demanded graft – but they are more than just workhorses and looked the better side in the opening half hour – and could have been in front.
Leeds United star Stuart Dallas ( right) forced Wayne Hennessey into a flying save to keep out a fierce ninth-minute shot. It was a warning to Wales that while they might have a superstar i n their ranks, Northern Ireland’s team pattern is an equally-effective weapon when properly deployed.
With 18 minutes gone Ramsey did have the ball in the net after Sam Vokes had headed down a cross – but it was ruled out for offside.
All O’Neill’s main men – defender Jonny Evans, Southampton’s Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty and Jamie Ward – had to deliver for their country – and they did.
Wales boss Chris Coleman ( inset left) needed words at the break – and they had an effect.
A Ramsey pass should have been headed home by Burnley’s Vokes but it went wide.
Then came Bale – McGovern had no chance with McAuley’s own goal. And that was all down to Bale’s magic left boot. breakthrough which sent Wales into a quarter-final with Belgium or Hungary in Lille on Friday. Bale’s cross on 75 minutes was turned into his own net by West Brom’s Gareth McAuley. And Bale revealed he was helped by a good luck charm from his young daughter Alba Violet.
The Real Madrid ace said: “My daughter gave me a note before the game which I put in my shorts but I can’t tell you what it said, it’s private!
“We knew it was going to be a tough match. It’s just incredible and we don’t want it to end.”