Gareth Bale’s free-kick against Slovakia is a clone of his first for Wales ten years ago… against the same country
Real Madrid star took 11 minutes to open Euro 2016 account as Chris Coleman's men get off to dream start in Bordeaux
GARETH BALE took just ten minutes to strike for Wales in their opening Euro 2016 match.
The Real Madrid star, 26, fired in a free-kick from 25 yards out against Slovakia to open the Dragons' account this tournament.
And his goal is a clone of the first he scored for the Dragons - which came against the same country ten years ago.
But back in 2006, Bale's goal was just a consolation as Wales were thumped 5-1 in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff.
Manager Chris Coleman will be hoping the strike is the only similarity this time round.
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The Dragons were lucky not to be behind, thanks to Ben Davies' sublime stop off the line after just two minutes play.
Set-piece specialist Bale stepped up in the 11th minute after Jonny Williams was tripped by Patrik Hrosovsky on the edge of the box.
Slovakia keeper Matus Kozacik really should have stopped it, instead edging out of position and seeing the shot fly in to his right.
The dip and power with which the former Tottenham forward got on the ball was enough to put Kozacik off.
Bale, who has netted six in his last seven for Wales, is now the Dragons' fifth highest scorer with 20, behind the likes of Ian Rush and Trevor Ford.
And Wales, having waited 58 years to reach a major tournament, are now in the Group B driving seat.
Broken the deadlock
Terry Medwin is the last player to score a goal in tournament football for Wales, with the winning goal in the 2-1 World Cup 1958 play-off win over Hungary that booked a quarter-final with Brazil that they lost 1-0, Pele scoring.
