Wednesday, 10th September, 2014
Wales manager Chris Coleman has compared Gareth Bale to Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi after the Real Madrid forward scored twice in his nation’s 2-1 win over Andorra in a 2016 European Championship qualifier last night.
Ildefons Lima’s sixth-minute spot-kick gave Andorra the lead at the Estadio Nacional, but the hosts’ advantage was short-lived as Bale equalised for Wales in the 22nd minute.
And just when it seemed that the game was heading for a draw, the former Tottenham Hotspur man drilled home a 25-yard free-kick to give his nation the full three points.
Coleman was ecstatic with Bale’s performance as he felt only Messi could have matched the 25-year-old’s set-piece skills under pressure.
"There are only two players in the world, Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale, who could have done something like that", the manager told the FIFA’s official site.
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"Time's ticking, the pressure's on and wallop, it's 2-1. Gareth was absolutely magnificent."
Wales, who are in Group B of the qualifiers, will next face Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus in home fixtures next month.
Their group also consists of Israel and 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists Belgium.
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