Gareth bale player: Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey step up for Wales vs Turkey. Wales advanced to the final 16 of Euro 2020 after cruising to a crucial victory against Turkey. Wales’ star combination of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey showed their mettle as they brushed themselves up and guided their team to a crucial 2-0 victory over Turkey.
Despite a 1-1 tie against Switzerland in Wales’ first Group A game, Ramsey and Bale were on fire in Baku, despite in-game setbacks against the Turks. Wales’ must-win meant a must-perform for both of their primary offensive players, who couldn’t get anything going against the Swiss.
Ramsey, a Juventus midfielder, had two opportunities set up by Bale in the first half, but it was third time fortunate for the former Arsenal player, who put Wales ahead with a superb goal from another Bale set-up. In the 42nd minute, Bale lofted a pass over the defense that Ramsey chested down before thumping past onrushing Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir. Real Madrid star Bale, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham, had a chance to score from the penalty spot just beyond the hour mark, but his shot flew over the bar after being fouled on the outside of the area by Zeki Celik.
It wasn’t the first ball skied in the game — Bale missed another penalty in the 61st minute — but neither mattered, especially when Bale sent a pin-perfect cutback into teammate Connor Roberts’ foot to give his country an insurance goal in the 85th minute.
Turkey, who began the competition as a dark horse, is now on the verge of being eliminated. On the other hand, Wales sits second in the group with four points and may now rest players in the final round-robin encounter.
“We all showed up, we all gave it our best, and I thought we deserved to win,” Bale added. “We’d have bitten your hand off if you’d offered us four points at the start of the season.”
Bale said on his penalty and recovery for Wales’ second goal: “I felt like I performed well the entire evening. The penalty miss was my mistake, and I accept full responsibility; I believe it demonstrates my character. I kept going, continued fighting, and eventually earned the second assist to end the game.”
The squad rallied around their leader after the game for a loud, dramatic victory speech. Bale subsequently stated that he made a joke about his missed penalty and attempted to bring the players and staff together.
“He has a purpose for wearing the wristband. Everyone has losses and defeats in life and sports, and missing the penalty was a painful blow for him,” Wales head coach Robert Page stated. “He showed great bravery in reacting positively after the penalty miss.”
After the early misses, Ramsey remarked of his own goal: “It’s the third time lucky. I had a number of chances, but there was nothing I could do about it. “Now we can travel to Italy (for the third game on Sunday) full of confidence, and who knows what will happen there,” he said.
References:
Doyle, Tom. “Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey Step up for Wales vs Turkey.” Evening Standard, 16 June 2021, www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/wales-vs-turkey-gareth-bale-aaron-ramsey-step-up-b941049.html.
Learn More About Latest News
