Euro 2016: Wales and Switzerland begin campaign with wins

Wales won 2-1 against Slovakia. Image Source: Uefa.com
Wales won 2-1 against Slovakia. Image Source: Uefa.com

Internet Desk: Wales’ first major international tournament match in 58 years ended in victory as Hal Robson-Kanu struck late to seal a 2-1 Euro 2016 win against Slovakia.

Gareth Bale stepped up to beat Matus Kozacik with a brilliant whipped free-kick from 30 yards to put his side into an early lead in Bordeaux.

Bale had scored or assisted nine of the 11 Wales goals in qualifying and the Real Madrid forward seemed to have made the difference for his team once more.

But substitute Ondrej Duda had other ideas, shooting low past Danny Ward after superb work by Robert Mak early in the second half.

Another substitute then struck the decisive blow with 10 minutes to go as Robson-Kanu bundled in an untidy finish after Aaron Ramsey created the opening.

Slovakia’s unbeaten run ends at eight games as a result of their defeat, with Russia up next for Jan Kozak’s side, while Wales will be buoyed ahead of their clash against England in Lens on Thursday.

Switzerland

Meanwhile, Fabian Schar’s fifth-minute header proved decisive as Switzerland edged out 10-man Albania 1-0 in their Euro 2016 opener at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday.

Albania goalkeeper Etrit Berisha ventured off his line to try and claim Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner but was beaten to the delivery by Schar, who got Switzerland’s Group A campaign off to a winning start.