After over half a century, Wales have made their return to major tournament football.
And after waiting for so long, they made a winning start to their Euro 2016 campaign, seeing off Slovakia 2-1 in Bordeaux.
The final minutes were far from comfortable but nevertheless, Chris Coleman’s side have picked up the three points.
Here’s how Twitter saw it…
Much in the same way that Slovakia would’ve had a game plan to try and stop Gareth Bale, the Welsh team will undoubtedly have paid close attention to Napoli midfielder, Marek Hamšík.
But with just a couple of minutes played, Hamšík breezed through the Welsh back line with ease, seemingly needing to slot the ball past Danny Ward to put Slovakia ahead.
Hamšík did manage to place the ball beyond Ward, but a dramatic last-ditch sliding clearance from Ben Davies saved Wales from a disastrous start.
Needless to say, the Spurs defender’s heroics caused quite a stir on Twitter.
Ben Davies tracking back for that clearance #WALSVK pic.twitter.com/3YKGzij2oV
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) June 11, 2016
Someone write a song for Ben Davies …….quick #hero
— Wynne Evans (@wynneevans) June 11, 2016
BEN DAVIES WHAT A SAVE OH MY GOSH. NATIONAL HERO.
— Laura Reynolds (@ReynoldsWrap76) June 11, 2016
Having survived an early scare, Wales found themselves applying some pressure at the other end of the field, Jonny Williams earning a free-kick slap bang in the middle of Gareth Bale territory.
Gareth Bale stepped up and, predictably, found the back of the net.
Welshman everywhere were delighted.
Oh my god. Gareth Bale… Have my fucking babies! #EURO2016 #WALSVK #TogetherStronger
— G (@Forkner_SW) June 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/redcain81/status/741664313765691392
I'm recovering from spilt beer and a mini heart attack!
I love you Bale #WAL— 𝚒𝚊𝚠𝚗 𝚌ô𝚗𝚝? 🏴 ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛ ᴜᴋ ꜱᴛᴇᴇʟ (@Shonie75) June 11, 2016
Even if some suggested the Slovakian goalkeeper’s feeble attempts to save it were a result of his first goalscorer bet…
https://twitter.com/gath_jon/status/741666285000478721
The other major talking point of the first half came courtesy of Martin Skrtel. Under pressure from Jonny Williams, a constant pain in the arse for Slovakia for most of the afternoon, the Liverpool defender threw a careless elbow into the Crystal Palace man’s face, right in front of the behind the goal official.
Somehow, it went unpunished.
Skrtel with them WWE elbows!! 4th official eyes on the ball…watch the players please!!!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 11, 2016
No penalty nor card given for Skrtel's blatant elbow. #WALSVK pic.twitter.com/V1dR0Qzt7i
— M•A•J (@UItraSuristic) June 11, 2016
Fair play to the official, he wasn't in a great position to see Skrtel's elbow #WALSVK pic.twitter.com/OyDDJ1vj0A
— Johnny Penman (@Gadgeagoogoo) June 11, 2016
Skrtel survived and the first 45 minutes ended with Wales one goal to the good.
In first fifteen of the second half Wales seemed comfortable.
Then…
61' GOAL! It's now 1-1 as Mak crosses for Duda, who comes off the bench to score. #WAL 1-1 #SVK . #WALSVK
— FA WALES (@FAWales) June 11, 2016
Just on the field, Duda scored with his very first touch.
Fingers were pointed at Aaron Ramsey, who allowed Robert Mak to run beyond him before laying the ball on for Duda.
https://twitter.com/MC_of_A/status/741681545975615488
https://twitter.com/_Zeets/status/741681304714940416
Aaron Ramsey doing what he normally does. Opposition players running past him with ease.
— KLAIMDJ (@KLAIMDJ) June 11, 2016
With just over fifteen minutes to go, Ramsey then missed a near post header. Yet again, Twitter wasn’t too impressed.
https://twitter.com/jramirez1918/status/741684609029709825
how did ramsey not get that on target
— sparkling (@skywideopen2) June 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/jennifer1878/status/741684599932264449
And with ten minutes to go, Aaron Ramsey picked the ball up again and quickly advanced towards the Slovakian area. Did he mean to play it to Hal Robson-Kanu? Did he simply miscontrol it? Quite frankly, who gives a shit?
The substitute thrashed a left leg at it, and bundled the ball into the corner of the goal with his shin.
What an ugly strike by @RobsonKanu BUT WHO CARES!!! Come on Wales!!! 2-1 #EURO2016 #WAL
— Daryl Morgan (@DarylMorgan_1) June 11, 2016
Yesssss!!! Robson-Kanu ya beauty c'mon Wales!!! #WAL
— Ewan Walker (@EwanRunner98) June 11, 2016
Surely the best scuffed, shinned shot Robson-Kanu will ever score …
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) June 11, 2016
This is what it means…
Slovakia struck a post in the game’s dying minutes but couldn’t force an equaliser.
Saying they’ve been away for so long, the Welsh are making this major tournament lark look easy. Has any other team in world football won all of their matches at major tournaments in the last fifty years? We doubt it.
Well done Wales, richly deserved.
