Israel 0 - Wales 3: Gareth Bale double inspires Welsh to take them top of Group B

WALES moved a step closer to their holy grail in the promised land as Gareth Bale answered his critics with a superb double to bring the Dragons a big step closer to Euro 2016 qualification.

Gareth BaleGETTY

Gareth Bale inspired Wales to take them top of their group

Chris Coleman’s side went top of the Group B table as they thrashed 10-man Israel at a stunned Sammy Ofer Stadium.

Aaron Ramsey had already nodded Wales in front at the end of the first half before Bale took centre stage by firing home a brilliant free-kick and calmly slotting home Wales’ third to spark delirious celebrations among the 950-strong travelling support.

Bale has had to endure stinging criticism from the fans and press at Real Madrid but his status among his compatriots has never been in danger of diminishing as he once again delivered in his country’s colours.

He said: “It was a top-of-the-table clash, so to come out on top is amazing.

“We’d like to dedicate this to Dai Williams, our kit man who passed away.

“The first half was very hard, we did a lot of running, but we showed in the second half what a good team we are.

“We’ve put ourselves in a great position, but there’s a lot of work to do yet and all we can do is keep fighting and keep working hard.”

Wales were in control from the off and they should have led in the 19th minute when Bale’s superb cross found James Collins unmarked at the back post but the West Ham defender trod on the ball with the goal at his mercy.

Gareth Bale Player Profile

Bale had already dragged one effort wide after seizing on a defensive error to race in on goal, while Ramsey’s audacious effort with the outside of his right foot flew past the post.

Israel were failing to live up to their status as genuine qualification contenders – they were Group B leaders before the game.

But when they lost star striker Omar Damari, who had scored five goals in their first three games, to injury they crumbled.

Wales capitalised as their keeper Wayne Hennessey’s punt downfield saw Bale beat Eytan Tibi in the air and allow Ramsey to send a looping header over the outstretched fingers of Ofir Marciano and into the net.

The Gunners’ star pointed to the skies as he wheeled away in celebration, dedicating his goal to popular backroom member Williams, with Wales wearing black armbands in his memory.

It soon got even better for the visitors when the hapless Tibi hauled down Bale on the edge of the box and the Welsh Galactico stepped up to score from the resulting free-kick, something Real fans may note Cristiano Ronaldo has not done in more than 50 attempts.

Israel were rocking and any lingering hopes of a recovery effort were ended when Tibi, booked for his first challenge on Bale, once again hacked down the Welshman.

He was quite correctly shown a second yellow by Serbian referee Milorad Mazic.

Wales were able to cruise through the final 39 minutes and Bale applied the coup de grace, sweeping home with his left foot from Ramsey’s astute pass and putting the Dragons in dreamland.

 

Israel (4-3-3): Marciano 6; Dgani 6, Ben Haim I 6, Tibi 3, Ben Harush 5; Yeini 6, Natcho 6, Refaelov 7; Ben Haim II 7 (Biton 60 6), Zahavi 7 (Sahar 71, 5), Damari 5 (Hemed 42, 5). Booked: Refaelov, Tibi. Red card: Tibi

Wales (3-4-2-1): Hennessey 7; Collins 7, Williams 7, Davies 7; Gunter 6, Allen 9, Ledley 7 (Vaughan 47, 6), Taylor 7; Ramsey 8 (MacDonald 85, 5), Bale 9, R Robson-Kanu 6 (Vokes 69, 7). Goals: Ramsey 45, Bale 50, 77

Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia)

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