Wonderful Wales close in on last 16
Gareth Bale described Wales as being in a "fantastic position" to make the knockout stage of Euro 2020 after beating Turkey in Baku.
Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts scored at the end of each half to secure a 2-0 win and take Wales on to four points from two games. Skipper Bale also missed a penalty with the score at 1-0 – a wild effort which he later apologised to his teammates for – as Wales now focus on their final Group A fixture against Italy on Sunday. "We're in a fantastic position now," said Bale.
WALES
Ramsey 42, Roberts 90
0
2
Wales took a huge step towards the knockout stage of Euro 2020 by beating Turkey 2-0 in Baku.
Aaron Ramsey struck close to half-time - his 17th international goal - and Connor Roberts sewed up victory in the final seconds after Gareth Bale had missed a penalty.
The win takes Wales onto four points and leaves them in a healthy position heading into their final Group A fixture against Italy in Rome on Sunday. No side failed to make the last 16 at Euro 2016 in France five years ago having accumulated four points.
A few hundred Wales fans were vastly outnumbered in the 69,870-capacity Olympic Stadium, which was just over a third full. The close ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey meant the local population were firmly behind the Crescent-stars.
The two countries had not met since 1997 when Turkey won a crazy 10-goal World Cup qualifier 6-4. Rob Page was part of the Wales defence in Istanbul that night and the interim manager had issues to address after the 1-1 draw against Switzerland, where his side were short on both possession and penetration.
But Page sent out the same side with Wales looking for key men Bale and Ramsey to have a far bigger impact than they did on Saturday.
Wales were almost ahead inside six minutes when Bale and Ramsey combined in what was to become a running theme of the first half.
Ramsey cut inside Caglar Soyuncu but his near-post shot was saved by the outstretched foot of goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.
Burak Yilmaz saw an effort deflected wide, but it was
Wales who were constantly probing and loud appeals for a penalty when the ball struck Soyuncu's elbow were waved away by Portuguese referee Artur Dias.
Ramsey fired over midway through the half from Bale's defence-splitting pass. But Turkey did not heed the warning and were punished three minutes before the break. Bale
dropped deep again to find Ramsey and the Juventus man timed his run to perfection to beat Cakir with comfort.
Turkey upped the tempo after the break and Hakan Calhanoglu forced a first save from Danny Ward before Yilmaz volleyed over from inside the six-yard box.
Ramsey was denied doubling Wales' lead by Cakir's
good glovework before a golden opportunity presented itself on the hour mark.
Bale was tripped by Zeki Celik just inside the area but the Real Madrid star sent his spot-kick high over the bar.
Bale made up for his penalty miss in stoppage time, cutting the ball back for Roberts to sweep home and surely send Wales into the last 16.
Turkey: Cakir; Celik, Soyuncu, Yokuslu (Demiral 45), Tufan (Yasici 45), Under (Kahveci 83), Karaman (Dervisoglu 75), Calhanoglu, Meras (Muldur 72), Yilmaz, Ayhan. Subs not used: Gunok, Bayindir, Tokox, Antalyali, Kabak, Kokcu.
Wales: Ward; C Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, B Davies; Allen (Ampadu 74), Morrell; Bale, Ramsey (Wilson 84), James (N. Williams 90); Moore. Subs not used: Hennessey, A.davies, Gunter, Lockyer, T.roberts, Norrington-davies, J.williams, Brooks, Levitt.
Referee: Artur Manuel Soares Dias (Por)
Attendance: 19,762