A physical, ferocious first few minutes created an unsettling and nervous atmosphere in the ground, as Slovakia star man Mario Hamsik spun off the back of star player Bale, if not for the heroics of Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspurs goal line clearance, Group B could of been split open within the first few moments.
For the most part, it became a game of cat and mouse in the midfield, with both teams hunting down their positional counterparts, giving little space or time to create. Kucka and Hrosovsky versus Allen and Ramsey. Slovakia conceded a free kick after a late tackle, and once again closer to the goal of keeper Kozacik when Johnny Williams was brought down. Bale smashed the free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net with a fantastic left footed shot, though questions will be asked of the goalkeepers positioning.
For the most part, it became a game of cat and mouse in the midfield, with both teams hunting down their positional counterparts, giving little space or time to create. Kucka and Hrosovsky versus Allen and Ramsey. Slovakia conceded a free kick after a late tackle, and once again closer to the goal of keeper Kozacik when Johnny Williams was brought down. Bale smashed the free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net with a fantastic left footed shot, though questions will be asked of the goalkeepers positioning.
A few poor efforts from the Slovakia midfield were met with cheers, with the nature of the crowd absolutely bouncing for the only dream start a team with such singular talent could hope for. The welsh side kept pushing, combinations of Allen and Ramsey whiskers away from an opportunity, only to be snatched away. The rest of the first half would become a more settled affair, a world away from the euphoria of a single magnificent free kick.
The second half was more of a flat matter for the much part, snippets of talent from both teams but not enough to carry through into anything more clinical. Johnny Williams impressed, along with a staggering work rate from Championship player Edwards, to no avail. Defensive frailty with a back 5, combined with a smooth shot from substitute Duda on his first touch, stroked the ball home as it ran across his body to leave the tie completely open with scores even.
A combative end to the half led to little chances to either side, before a dream introduction and goal to Robson-Kanu through determination from Aaron Ramsey. No one will look back and say that he scuffed the shot, everyone will look back and remember the time he scored for Wales to win their first tournament group game in their history. A thoroughly emphatic win for the Welsh side, leaving them in poll position with England and Russia in a chasing mentality before the kick off at 8pm.
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