Brilliant Bale proves his critics in Spain wrong by blasting Wales to top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group with fine double in Israel

Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be given to Wales is that this cauldron of noise, which at kick-off seemed so threatening, was reduced to a quiet hum after the 50th minute.

That was the moment when Gareth Bale reminded us why
Real Madrid paid £86million for his signature, why the
caustic treatment of his recent performances in Spain seems
so odd.
Having drawn a foul from Eytan Tibi inches outside the box
with his pace, he dispatched the ball into the net as simply
as if from the penalty spot in any. His shot curled over the
wall with surgical placement, leaving goalkeeper Ofir Marciano
stock still. It was pure quality.
His rapturous celebration spoke of the goal’s personal
significance and collective importance. He answered his
critics without uttering a word and made certain a
momentous victory in Welsh ambitions to reach Euro 2016.
It was his 15th goal in 49 caps for Wales, moving him level
with John Charles in the all-time scorers chart. He went
past the great man 13 minutes from the end to rubber
stamp Wales’s ascension to top of Group B at the halfway
stage on 11 points and within sight of a first major
tournament since 1958.
Aaron Ramsey provided the assist, seizing possession on the
left and cutting back for Bale to finish into the corner. It
was goal number 20 for Bale in a season that has been
judged underwhelming in Spain.
Ramsey deserves praise too, having turned in his best
performance in a Welsh shirt for some considerable time,
getting the opener eight seconds into first-half injury time
that sucked the feverish hostility from the throats of
Israel’s fans.
It was route one stuff. Wayne Hennessey pumped the ball
long and Israel allowed it to bounce. Bale stole above Tibi to
nod into the path of Ramsey, who delivered a brilliant
header over Marciano.
Ramsey celebrated by running to the 900 Wales fans and
pointing to the skies, his grandmother having died last week.
Bale dedicated the win to much-loved kitman Dai Williams,
who passed away last month with the players wearing black
armbands.
By the end, Wales were running through 10-man Israel at
will, Tibi having been sent off for a second booking shortly
after 2-0 for fouling Bale again.
Substitute Sam Vokes, making his first international
appearance in a year following serious injury, nearly scored,
as Bale twice went close to getting his hat-trick.
Israel are no mugs. Their 3-0 win over Bosnia here in
November and perfect record prior to this game, is
indication of that. But they were made to look woefully short
by Wales.
Bale said: ‘We’re in a good position now and we’ve got a
chance of qualifying. We will keep fighting and working hard
and hopefully our performances and results will do all the
talking. It’s amazing to be top of the table and we go from
here.’