In the build-up to Wales v Slovakia it was most certainly the Gareth Bale show as far the BBC were concerned, but there were a few other players involved, one of them even plays for Arsenal.

It took Slovakia only a few minutes to tear through Wales; Marek Hamsik dribbling like a drunk on his pillow, but his superb run was denied by a flying goal-line clearance from Ben Davies.

Aaron Ramsey (L) vies for the ball against Slovakia's midfielder Miroslav Stoch during the Euro 2016 group B football match between Wales and Slovakia at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux on June 11, 2016. / AFP / MEHDI FEDOUACH
Aaron Ramsey (L) vies for the ball against Slovakia’s midfielder Miroslav Stoch during the Euro 2016 group B football match between Wales and Slovakia at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux on June 11, 2016. / AFP / MEHDI FEDOUACH

But with just 10 minutes gone, Gareth Bale showed why, indeed, he had been the main focus of the build-up as he found the back of the net with a superb free-kick which managed to send the keeper the wrong way just enough to make it impossible to save.

Ramsey was tenacious throughout and as Robbie Savage rightly pointed out on BBC, was showing the way to the players from smaller clubs, but by the break all the talk was of Bale and his free-kick, the first direct one scored by a British player at the Euros.

That and the penalty Wales should have had when Martin ‘Invisible’ Skrtel planted a deliberate elbow on the face of Jonathan Williams in box. The BBC were incredulous that it had been missed. Any fans who have seen their team face Martin Skrtel were not.

 

Slovakia needed just 15 minutes after the restart to equalise when substitute, Duda slotted home after a great run from Mak, who had bushed past Ramsey as if he wasn’t even there.

Wales were on the backfoot for the first time but with 73 minutes on the clock, Ramsey could have stolen the lead back for Wales with his illuminated head. He messed it up – the hair and the chance.

He made up for it just eight minutes later, however, when he grabbed the assist for substitute Hal Robson-Kanu’s goal to give Wales the lead again.

He was subbed off with just two minutes of normal time remaining and received a standing ovation from the Welsh fans and all Arsenal fans lost interest.

wales v slovakia