(Photo: Evening Standard)
Like the majority across Wales on Thursday morning, I woke up with a sense of disbelief at the heroics of the night previous. After what was overall a disappointing display in Baku last Saturday vs Switzerland (Despite bagsman Kieffer Moore saving our skins), Cymru took to the stage in the Azerbaijani capital once again on Wednesday night – and what a night it was.
Wales started the game positively, pressing high and working hard to break through the Turkish defensive line with intricate passing and smart attacking runs. Despite this, Aaron Ramsey failed to take clear-cut opportunities, with every fan around the country wondering whether we’d rue each missed chance. Thankfully, in the 42nd minute, Ramsey latched onto Gareth Bale’s 30-yard lofted pass, controlling the ball with his chest and slotting it past the keeper into the bottom left corner. The leadup right to the goal felt as if it were in slow-motion for Welsh fans, but the sheer sense of relief after Ramsey netted was a delight.
The game progressed and Turkey were looking far more threatening, but it was clear to see that they were finding little luck going forward. At 61 minutes, Bale cutted past Zeki Çelik and was tripped by the full-back inside the penalty area, winning a penalty. The much-needed pressure relief that Wales craved to ensure Round of 16 qualification was squandered when Bale stuck the ball high over the crossbar.
In the latter stages of the game, Wales began to sit back and absorb pressure from the Turkish forwards, but an aged Burak Yilmaz failed to truly threaten. Aaron Ramsey made a last gasp tackle to ensure that his performance would go down in history as one of Wales’ most impressive, and in the 87th minute, keeper Danny Ward pushed away Demiral’s thunderous header to keep Wales alive. After the superb Welsh defence survived wave after wave of Turkish attacks, Wales won a corner in Turkish territory to run down the clock. Instead of deciding to waste a few more seconds, Bale seized on a pocket of space and crossed the ball into the path of Connor Roberts, who hammered it home to all but secure Wales’ place in the Round of 16.
It was a night to remember for Wales and the hundreds of thousands watching back home. Although they found it difficult at times, Cymru produced another inspired performance in the EUROs, a real statement of intent. Despite the mountainous task facing Wales on Sunday in Rome vs Italy, this win alleviates pressure for Robert Page’s men, who wouldn’t have fancied their chances getting a result against the former World Champions – but with the pressure off, who knows?...
Credit - Rory Chapman
