Toulouse, France // Gareth Bale said Wales’s Euro 2016 fate is in their own hands as they look to qualify for the last 16 in a potentially high-risk match against Russia in Toulouse.
Real Madrid forward Bale has been inspirational in Wales’s European Championship debut, scoring in a 2-1 win over Slovakia and again in the 2-1 defeat to England in Lens.
Wales lie second in Group B, one point behind leaders England but firmly in contention for a historic place in the last 16.
A win in Toulouse, where security is set to be tight following shocking scenes of fan violence between England and Russia supporters in Marseille last week, would see Wales guarantee direct qualification, although even defeat could see Wales go through as one of the four best third-placed group finishers.
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• Euro 2016 daily five: Belgium back with a bang, Ronaldo's night to forget, all eyes on Pogba
• Andy Mitten's Euro 2016 diary: St-Etienne is steeped in rich football history, just ask the English
• Richard Jolly: Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy should be rewarded for their England rescue
Bale, who scored trademark free kicks against Slovakia and England to sit among the tournament’s top scorers after two games, said defeat to England through Daniel Sturridge’s injury-time goal was hard to digest.
But the 26-year-old said Wales’s “close group” of players are in high spirits and ready to keep their dream alive.
“Obviously after the (England) game we were very disappointed, especially to lose in that manner,” Bale said.
“But we have to forget about it. It’s over. Our fate is in our own hands, and if you’d given us this at the start of the tournament we would have taken it.
“We’re so excited for our last game. Everything’s to play for, the nation’s behind us, as normal, and we will be looking forward to it.
“We’ll try to embrace the occasion and qualify.”
With only one point to their name, following Vasili Berezutski’s last-gasp equaliser against England, Leonid Slutsky’s embattled Russia would be forgiven for wishing their tournament was over following a crushing 2-1 defeat to Slovakia.
It has left them bottom of the group and needing to beat Wales to have any chance of adding some optimism to their campaign after what has been a controversial week for the team and its supporters.
Yet their campaign was compounded even before they kicked a ball in Marseille, as Russian ultras attacked England fans in the port city hours before kick-off.
Further attacks on England fans inside the Stade Velodrome before the final whistle mean Russia are now walking a tightrope. Uefa has warned that a repeat at Stadium de Toulouse could lead to expulsion from Euro 2016 regardless of the result.
Three days after three Russian supporters were given jail sentences, French authorities deported Alexander Shprygin, the outspoken far-right leader of a football supporters group, and 19 other fans in relation to the incidents.
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Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
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RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
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TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
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