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Russia national football team
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 20, 2016 at 8pm UK
 
Wales national football team

0-3

FT(HT: 0-2)
Ramsey (11'), Taylor (20'), Bale (67')

Wales thrash Russia to claim historic win and Group B top spot

Wales pull off a historic feat by thrashing Russia to reach the last 16 at Euro 2016.

Wales have pulled off a historic feat by qualifying for the knockout phase of Euro 2016 with a 3-0 win over Russia.

Goals from Aaron Ramsey, Neil Taylor and Gareth Bale put the lackluster Russians to the sword and saw the Dragons finish top of Group B, with England only managing a goalless draw with Slovakia in the evening's other fixture.

Aaron Ramsey scores the opener during the Euro 2016 Group B match between Russia and Wales on June 20, 2016© AFP

The Russians, who went into the match bottom of the group, looked lethargic from the off and came undone in the 10th minute when Ramsey latched on to a Joe Allen through-ball and lobbed the on-rushing Igor Akinfeev.

Wales peppered the Russian goal with chances in the first half and scored a deserved second in the 20th minute when Bale's deflected cross fell kindly for Taylor in the box and the Swansea City defender found the net at the second time of asking.

Neil Taylor scores Wales's second during the Euro 2016 Group B match against Russia on June 20, 2016© AFP

Chris Coleman's side did not have it all their own way, and slack defending from Ashley Williams in the 27th minute almost saw their lead reduced. Artem Dzyuba picked the Welsh skipper's pocket, but goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was on hand to make the save.

Welsh dominance continued into the second half but they had to wait until the 67th minute to extend their lead, Ramsey and Bale exchanging passes before the Real Madrid star toe-poked the ball beyond Akinfeev to put the Dragons out of sight.

Gareth Bale scores his side's third goal during the Euro 2016 Group B match between Russia and Wales on June 20, 2016© Getty Images

Although the match was thoroughly one-sided, Russia almost reduced the deficit in the closing stages as Dzyuba blazed Pavel Mamaev's cross over the bar from close range, while Welsh victory song rang out across the stadium.

The result sees Wales finish top of Group B with six points from their three matches, while England's 0-0 draw with Slovakia sees them qualify as runners-up on five points.

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Chris Coleman leads a Wales training session on March 22, 2016
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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