PRINCE OF WALES
Bale still the star:
Gareth Bale’s goals may have dried up for Wales but the Dragons’ record scorer still remains his nation’s inspiration. The Real Madrid ace, who has one year left on his contract, faces an uncertain future after his indifferent loan at Tottenham.
And his penalty miss against Turkey was horrendous.
But the Welsh players, staff and fans adore the 31-year-old and it is not hard to see why.
He was brilliant against the Turks with two sublime assists in the 2-0 win, as Wales moved to the brink of the last 16.
Of Wales’ six goals so far in 2021, Bale has set up four.
He picked out Aaron Ramsey to make it 1-0 against Turkey with an intelligent defence-splitting pass in Baku.
Then in stoppage time he helped seal the win after dribbling into the box along the byline from a short corner to tee up Connor Roberts.
Bale could have made the win a lot easier if he had slammed in his 34th international goal, after being brought down for a penalty in the 61st minute.
But he ballooned the spot-kick over. His last Wales goal was in October 2019. Bale admitted: “I got under the ball and it wasn’t a nice feeling. In the circle after the game, I made a funny joke and apologised for missing the pen.”
But interim Wales head coach Rob Page insisted: “It is unfair to put on that pressure that Gareth has not scored.
“Without his two assists we don’t get the goals.
“There is only him that can come in on his left foot and play that ball to Aaron.
“Only him at the end would have thought to have the pace and power to get past the defender for a short corner and do what he did for Connor to finish.
“It is not just about scoring, it is about being a team player and setting up goals and he has certainly done that.
“He wears the armband for a reason. Everyone in life and football gets knockbacks and setbacks.
“Missing the penalty was a bitter blow for him but he reacted in a positive way.
“Credit to him for that and showing character. That speaks a lot about him as a man.”
Wales might have scored before Ramsey’s 42nd-minute strike, had the midfielder converted either of Bale’s two brilliant earlier passes.
But the star duo’s understanding was irresistible, and Bale added: “It was great for Aaron to get the first.
“Hopefully we can keep playing well together for the rest of the tournament.”
Now Wales must look to their final group game, against Italy in Rome on Sunday.
Bale said: “It is going to be very difficult. We’ll enjoy our win, get our recovery in and look forward to Italy.”