Gareth Bale became Wales’s all-time record goalscorer by netting a hat-trick against China on Thursday, bringing his tally to 29 on Ryan Giggs’ managerial debut. It was the first time Bale had scored three goals in a single game for Wales - and thus undoubtedly one of the greatest moments of his career so far.
In celebration of Bale’s superb achievement, we take a look at five more of his best ever performances for Wales:A late Bale double sinks Scotland in a World Cup qualifier.
Wales 2-1 Scotland (October 2012)
One of the first times Gareth Bale truly took a game by the scruff of the neck was a vital World Cup qualifier in 2012. Wales were trailing 1-0 at home to Scotland, having lost their opening two qualifying matches, before their talisman breathed fresh life into a campaign that looked dead before it had even started.
Bale was fouled by Shaun Maloney and slotted home the resulting penalty in the 81st minute, before winning the game in dramatic style with just two minutes on the clock. Scotland conceded a freekick on the halfway line and, after retreating into a shell, allowed Bale to pick the ball up and drive straight at the heart of midfield. He curled a dipping 25-yard shot into the far corner to send the Welsh support into raptures.
Bale’s brace hands Coleman a winning start on the road to Euro 2016
Andorra 1-2 Wales (September 2014)
Gareth once again turned a game on its head in the opening match of the Euro 2016 qualifiers, setting Wales on the path to their famous journey to the semi-final. Who knows what would have happened had Bale failed to bring his country back into the game that day?
After Andorra had taken the lead in the sixth minute Bale headed an equalising goal in the 22nd, although it wasn’t enough to prevent Coleman’s side getting booed off at half-time. Wales continued to struggle throughout the second period until the 81st minute, when Bale whipped a perfect freekick over the wall and into the top corner. The goal would trigger a chain of events Welsh fans will never forget.
Bale scores the only goal in an historic victory over Belgium
Wales 1-0 Belgium (June 2015)
This was the moment, on the day of Bale’s 50th cap, that Wales truly believed they were on their way to France. A 1-0 victory in Cardiff against Belgium restored Coleman’s men to the top of the qualifying table with a three-point advantage.
And who else would score the winning goal but Bale? The Real Madrid forward latched onto a wayward header from Radja Nainggolan and, despite the ball taking an age to drop onto his chest as the air sucked out of the ground, Bale calmly slotted it through the goalkeeper’s legs. It was perhaps the most important, and memorable, Wales goal ever scored in Cardiff.
A stunning freekick from Bale gives Wales the lead against England
England 2-1 Wales (June 2016)
Wales might have ultimately lost their second group match of Euro 2016, but this was still a moment Welsh supporters will always cherish. Still on a high after beating Slovakia in the opener (courtesy of a Bale freekick and a late Hal Robson-Kanu winner) Wales took the lead against England in the 42nd minute thanks to yet another Bale strike.
His low driven freekick into the bottom corner stunned the English fans, and momentarily made a very early England exit seem likely. Daniel Sturridge’s stoppage-time goal broke hearts, but with the benefit of hindsight that glorious Bale-inspired moment is remembered with great fondness.
Bale runs the game as Wales defeat Belgium in the Euro 2016 quarter-final
Wales 3-1 Belgium (July 2016)
Gareth Bale might not have scored a goal during the biggest win in Wales’s history, but nevertheless he was among the standout performers as they trounced Belgium in Lille.
Nainggolan made up for his error 12 months earlier with a brilliant 30-yard strike in the first half before Ashley Williams headed the equaliser from a corner. Robson-Kanu’s Cruyff turn gave Wales the lead in the second half, and Sam Vokes made sure with a late glancing header.
Bale might not have made the headlines that day, but as a passionate and dedicated Welshman it was still the most enjoyable moment yet of his international career. The fans, meanwhile, are aware that none of it would have happened without their talisman; without his goals and assists throughout the two-year journey to Lille.
