‘How was that for pride, Gareth?’: England hit back at loudmouth Bale with last-gasp winner
Roy Hodgson saw Daniel Sturridge ram the Welsh star's 'arrogant' jibe back down his throat with crucial comeback win
ROY HODGSON saw England ram Gareth Bale’s taunts back down his throat and gloated: I’ve got no sympathy for Wales.
Daniel Sturridge’s last-gasp winner came after Bale accused the Three Lions of being arrogant, lacking pride and claiming NONE of them would get in his Welsh team.
Boss Hodgson declared: “They will have to excuse me not feeling sorry for them.
“I want to be pleased with ourselves. It’s a long time since myself and the coaching staff showed such joy at a goal.”
And England striker Harry Kane had a thinly veiled dig at Welsh superstar Bale.
Kane tweeted a picture of England players manically celebrating Sturridge’s winner with the hashtag Together.
This was the first time England had won at a major tournament after being behind at half-time.
That man Bale gave Wales the lead when Joe Hart pushed his free-kick into the net.
But Jamie Vardy’s goal and Sturridge’s 92nd-minute strike mean England need a draw against Slovakia on Monday to reach the last 16.
Hodgson — who was floored by Russia’s 93rd-minute leveller on Saturday — celebrated wildly on the touchline after the winner.
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He said: “That one the other night put us under a bit of pressure.
“I would have been less ecstatic if we had not conceded that late one against Russia to rob us of a deserved victory.
“Four points from two games is the minimum we deserve.”
Sturridge, who dedicated his winner to mum Grace, said: “It’s a great feeling, unbelievable.
“It’s crazy. There are not many games where you experience an atmosphere like this.”
Bale confessed: “It is massively disappointing but I am very proud of everybody.
“We gave everything but we still feel strong. The tournament is not over yet and we will go into the next game with even more strength.”
