Bale weaves magic to send Wales top of pile
PERHAPS the greatest compliment that can be given to Wales is that this cauldron of noise, which seemed so threatening, was reduced to a quiet hum after the 50th minute.
That was the moment when Gareth Bale reminded us why Real Madrid paid £86million for his services, why the caustic treatment of his recent performances in Spain seems so odd.
Having drawn a foul from Eytan Tibi inches outside the box with his pace, he dispatched the ball into the net as simply as if from the penalty spot.
His shot curled over the wall with surgical placement and the goalkeeper, Ofir Marciano, did not move. Bale’s rapturous celebration spoke of its personal significance and collective importance.
It was his 15th goal in 49 caps for Wales, moving him level with John Charles in the all-time scorers chart. He went past the great man 13 minutes from the end to rubber stamp this momentous win that sends Wales top of Group B at the halfway stage and within sight of a first major tournament since 1958.
Aaron Ramsey provided the assist, seizing possession on the left and cutting back for Bale to finish into the corner.
Ramsey deserves focus here too. He turned in his best performance in a Welsh shirt for some time and scored the opening goal eight seconds into first-half injury time.
For all Wales’ pretty passing, it was route-one stuff. Wayne Hennessey pumped the ball long and Israel allowed it to bounce.
Bale stole above Tibi to nod into the path of Ramsey, who delivered a brilliant header over Marciano.
Ramsey celebrated by running to the 900 Wales fans and pointing to the skies.
Much-loved kitman Dai Williams passed away last month and the players wore black armbands in tribute.
Wales were soon running through 10-man Israel at will, Tibi having been sent off for a second booking shortly after Wales had scored their second for fouling Bale again.
Substitute Sam Vokes, making his first international appearance in a year following serious injury, nearly scored, as Bale twice went close to getting his hat-trick.
Israel are no mugs. Their 3-0 win over Bosnia here in November and perfect record prior to this game is indication of that.
But they were made to look woefully short by Wales. Still, all the ingredients to make this a defining night were mixed together in the Sammy Ofer Stadium. Two nations who are enjoying unprecedented qualifying campaigns with designs on reaching a major finals for the first time in a generation.
The noise for the Israel national anthem as thousands held up Star of David flags told you that.
The whistles greeting early touches by Wales players were piercing in the extreme.
Bale’s name over the Tannoy drew louder cat calls than any. ‘Haters gonna hate,’ read a sign in the away section, directed more towards Real Madrid’s critical following than those here in Haifa.
Bale started alongside Reading’s Hal Robson-Kanu but, in truth, the world’s most expensive player roamed all over the pitch. What else did we expect?
Coleman opted for 5-3-2, which was designed to give Bale that central role. It also helped nullify the threat of Israel’s quick wingers Tal Ben Haim and Lior Refaelov.
Little battles all over the pitch showed the tension.
An early shove by Neil Taylor on Orel Dgani as the pair tussled for a throw in drew high-pitched screeching from the stands.
But Wales took control where it mattered, Joe Allen, Joe Ledley and Ramsey exhibiting their Premier League pedigree.
Ramsey had the first shot in the seventh minute, cutting in from the right and bending wide an attempt with the outside of his right boot.
Four minutes later, a mistake by Tibi saw Bale advance towards goal in that style to which we have become accustomed. But, when he pulled the trigger from the edge of the area, the ball went wide.
Still, it was Wales on the front foot. Their pressure cranked up with a sustained spell in the Israel half soon after. As the seconds ticked on, the disapproving clamour from the home fans grew louder.
Allen had a shot blocked, Ramsey a corner cleared and then Bale delivered a wonderful cross to an unmarked Welshman at the back stick. Unfortunately it was James Collins, who stood on the ball from two yards out rather than apply the finishing touch that had seemed certain. The pause allowed Ben Harush to gather and clear.
In the end, as Wales fans sung: ‘We are top of the league’, it was a mere footnote.