LEADERSHIP

Bale skippered Wales for the second time in his career, following on from wearing the armband in a Nations League clash against Denmark earlier this season. He could not have scripted a better start, with Daniel James putting Wales ahead after just five minutes, and Bale led with a calm, composed maturity. Slovakia often tested Wales, but for the captain it was a case of job done.

ATTACKING THREAT

Had to take an early back-seat for all the right reasons as Daniel James occupied centre-stage by giving Wales a fifth-minute lead, but he quickly began asking questions of Slovakia's defenders. Two first-half headers kept Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka occupied, and he was always someone that Slovakia's defenders could not afford space.

TEST OF TEMPERAMENT

Bale came into the Slovakia clash following a testing time in Spain, where he had been criticised by fans and in the media despite scoring 14 goals in 35 games for Real Madrid this season. But he always thrives in the Wales environment, which often brings the best out of him, and his work-rate never dipped as his team collected three points.

A TALISMAN FOR WALES' YOUNG GENERATION

Bale's impact on Wales has been well-chronicled for several seasons, and he is now a senior figure for an exciting new brigade led by the likes of James, David Brooks and Harry Wilson. While they inevitably flourish in tandem with such a world-class operator, Bale is also thriving on the energy and dynamism his team-mates bring to the party.

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