Late Connor Roberts goal seals Wales’ first triumph of UEFA Euro 2020

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A late goal from Connor Roberts secured Wales’ first Euro 2020 victory against Group A strugglers Turkey as Rob Page’s side look set to secure qualification into the knockout stages.

Wales started the contest on top as Aaron Ramsey had the game’s first big chance after six minutes, however, the Juventus man was denied by Ugurcan Cakir’s outstretched right leg.

Three minutes later, Burak Yilmaz’s effort was blocked by Chris Mepham which resulted in a corner that the Turks failed to convert from.

Caglar Soyuncu made a superb last-ditch clearance to deny Kieffer Moore getting a shot off as the ball was headed into his vicinity by Ramsey. The Welsh cried for handball, but the claims fell on deaf ears.

Ramsey wasted another great chance in the 24th minute. He blazed his one-on-one effort over the bar from 12-yards out as he failed to put Wales in front.

In the 42nd minute, the midfielder had another scoring opportunity gifted to him by Gareth Bale, except this time he slotted the ball straight past Cakir on the half-volley after a sumptuous chested control, putting his side into the lead.

After the break, Connor Roberts carved out another chance for Ramsey, however, Turkey shot-stopper Cakir was equal to the Welshman’s tame effort from 10 yards. The follow-up opportunity was hoisted clear by half-time substitute Merih Demiral.

On the hour mark, Bale tried to dribble through the Turkish defence but was bought down on the line of the penalty area by Zeki Celik. Referee Artur Manuel Dias had no other choice but to point to the spot.

The penalty required a short VAR check before Bale placed the ball on the spot with the chance to double his sides’ lead. After a short stutter in his run-up, Wales’ captain blazed his penalty over the bar as the score remained 1-0.

Turkey tried playing out from the back following the goal kick, as Bale pressed goalkeeper Cakir, the ball deflected off the Real Madrid man but went inches wide of the left-hand post.

Danny Ward continued with his heroics in goal as he was alert to deny Demiral’s header with three minutes to go.  The 27-year-old denied the Turk with a strong double-handed save to his left, parrying the ball out for a corner.

Spurs defender Joe Rodon made a heroic block in injury time before a scuffle broke out. This led to Hakan Calhanoglu, Yilmaz, Ben Davies and Mepham being booked by referee Dias.

In the fifth minute of added time at the end of the second half, Harry Wilson played a short corner to Bale as the Wales star man drove towards goal. He found Roberts, who was making a late run into the box who converted from six yards out for Wales’ second goal of the match and securing Bale’s second assist of the game.

The contest ended in a 2-0 victory for Wales before Bale led an emotional team talk following the full-time whistle.

What’s Next?

Both sides now look ahead to Sunday evening’s Group A finale. Wales face group toppers Italy in Rome as Turkey stay put in Baku as they take on Switzerland.

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