Wales earn a fine maiden victory, beating Slovakia 2-1.
“We’re very much walking down a path that no one’s ever walked down… we’re learning as we’re going but overall, the message has always been to the players, you have to enjoy this moment, do your best, and that’s enough. You can’t do more than your best.”
Chris Coleman’s pre-match interview, chipper and upbeat in tone, was tinged with trepidation, understandably, because he is right; these are very much untested waters that his team are wading into. Slovakia aren’t a very journeyed team at this level, but having appeared at the 2010 World Cup, they as a nation have considerably more experience at a major tournament than Wales, at least in the past half century.
Marek Hamsik had made sure to emphasise the fact that this match was more than just “Hamsik vs Bale”, and yet, in the opening ten minutes, both those players had clear chances to take the lead for their teams. Hamsik missed his. Bale took his.
It was a match of taught nerves, with both defences offering chances to their foes. Wales’ stamina was truly tested, and as Aaron Ramsay ran himself into the ground, and Bale flexed every sinew, it was one they passed. Hamsik receded into the background, and Bale, Coleman and Wales came, sucking air, haring into the foreground.
Wales
Danny Ward – 7: Had very little to do in the first half. Made some crucial reaction saves in the second.
Chris Gunter – 7: Was extremely progressive on the right, and was found by a number of cross-field passes.
James Chester – 7: Defended capably, looking assured alongside Williams.
Ashley Williams – 8: Imposed himself physically, and dominated in the air. An iron man.
Ben Davies – 8: Cleared a sure Hamsik goal off the line, somehow, in the early stages. Intercepted thoughtfully, and passed accurately.
Neil Taylor – 7: Was eager and willing all game.
Joe Allen – 7: Was very tidy in possession, and pressed diligently out of it. Faded, but is lacking match fitness.
David Edwards – 7: Tackled prudently, as the only midfielder not to press the Slovak defenders. Forced Hamsik away from the advanced areas. Substituted.
Aaron Ramsey – 8: Dropped and collected the ball from his centre backs, and pressed with vigour. Had a clear chance to retake the lead, but headed wildly over. Substituted late.
Jonathan Williams – 8: Keenly pursued the Slovak defenders, harrying and hustling. Appeared pleasingly unperturbed by the bigger, stronger Slovaks. Substituted.
Gareth Bale – 9: Punched in a swerving free kick in the 10th minute, scoring Wales’ first major tournament goal in 58 years. Drew a fine save from Kozacik, heading with venom. A supreme athletic performance.
Substitutes
Joe Ledley – 7: Added steel and gristle to a tiring midfield, as well as a fearsome set of face furniture.
Hal Robson-Kanu – 8.5: Flew into action, crossing for Ramsay, who missed poorly. Was muscular and vigorous, an injection of energy. Scored a dribbler of a winner.
Jazz Richards – N/A: Came on too late to affect things.
Slovakia
Matus Kozacik – 7: Was haplessly bamboozled by Bale’s free kick. Was equal to the task when Bale headed on goal in the second half.
Peter Pekarik – 6: Defended ably enough, but might have given Mak more support in attack.
Martin Skrtel – 5: Appeared to swing an elbow at Jon Williams, in his own box. Clumsily blocked off Bale in the second half, again in his own box. Booked in stoppage time.
Jan Durica – 6: Was a little too physical, treading the line between forceful and reckless.
Dusan Svento – 7: Grew into the game, after a weak first stanza.
Robert Mak – 7.5: Could only link up with Hamsik occasionally in the first half. Created the equaliser, after a winding run.
Juraj Kucka – 6: Wasn’t as defensively present as expected, losing Williams and Bale a number of times.
Patrik Hrosovsky – 5: Wasn’t involved in the first half, barely present at all. Substituted.
Marek Hamsik – 6: Stormed through the Wales defence early, and was denied a goal only by an astonishing Davies block. Took up an odd, deep position. Disappointing.
Vladimir Weiss – 6: Was slightly isolated on the wing, and had to cut inside often to involve himself. Substituted.
Michal Duris – 5: Had a habit of undercutting Welsh defenders as they challenged for headers, fouling often in this way, as well as more generally. Substituted.
Substitutes
Adam Nemec – 6: Looked cumbersome and tired, having just arrived on the pitch. Struck the post with a header late in the day.
Ondrej Duda – 7: Scored the equaliser a minute after coming on. Was active and penetrative.
Miroslav Stoch – N/A: Came on too late to affect things.
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