Israel v Wales

Israel 0 Wales 3 Ramsey 45 Bale 50, 77



Bale provided the perfect response to his recent problems at Real Madrid

28 March 2015



Wales leapfrogged Israel at the top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group as two goals from Gareth Bale inspired a hugely impressive win that leaves them well placed to reach next summer's finals in France.

Manager Chris Coleman had described this match as Wales' most important since the Euro 2004 play-off defeat by Russia in 2003.

And with three wins and two draws from their first five matches, this is Wales' best start to a campaign since that ill-fated bid 12 years ago as they attempt to reach a first major finals since the 1958 World Cup.

Victory against an Israeli side who had won all three of their previous qualifiers must rank as the finest of Coleman's three-year tenure.

The visitors had the better of the first half in Haifa and took a deserved lead as Aaron Ramsey headed in from Bale's flick-on just before the break.

The Real Madrid star doubled their advantage with a superb, swerving free-kick from the edge of the area soon after the restart and, a minute later, Israel's Eytan Tibi picked up a second booking for fouling Bale as Wales took control.

He then added a final gloss with a sweeping finish late on as Coleman's side moved two points clear at the summit of Group B.

Wary of their in-form opponents and a hostile atmosphere at a packed Sammy Ofer Stadium, Coleman reverted to a 5-3-2 formation that allowed him to give Bale a roaming role in attack.

As ever, much of the pre-match build-up revolved around the 25-year-old, whose indifferent recent club form had drawn fierce criticism in Spain.

Bale seemed undeterred, however, as he tormented Israel with a fabulous display.

After sending a fizzing low shot narrowly wide, Bale fashioned Wales' first real chance as his inviting cross found James Collins unmarked at the far post - but the West Ham defender trod on the ball when it seemed easier to score.

There were some early scares for Wales, with Israel's attacking midfielders Tal Ben Haim - whose namesake and Charlton captain was also playing for the hosts in central defence - and Eran Zahavi dangerous from wide positions.

But the visitors were seldom seriously troubled, and their pressure eventually produced the opening goal moments before the break.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey's long ball was headed on by Bale for Ramsey, whose looping header deceived Ofir Marciano to silence Haifa's hitherto hostile crowd.

It took less than five minutes of the second half for Bale to get himself on the score sheet.

Fouled right on the edge of the area by Tibi, the world's most expensive player produced a fierce, dipping shot from the resultant free-kick to send around 950 travelling Welsh supporters into raptures.

Just a minute later, Israel's fate was sealed when Tibi body-checked Bale and was sent off for a second yellow card.

From that point, Wales were barely without the ball as the Israeli fans fell silent.

Their misery was compounded with 13 minutes left, as Ramsey glided into the box and found Bale, whose sweet first-time finish flew past Marciano to crown a memorable night for Wales.

Wales were unbeaten in five Group B qualifying matches going into the match in Haifa





Bale set up Ramsey for a ninth international goal to give Wales the lead on the stroke of half-time


Bale struck with a curling free-kick after he had been fouled on the edge of the Israel area



After the 3-0 win, Coleman described his team's performance as "brave and wonderful".



Wales return to competitive action at home to Belgium in June


Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Israel


  • 18 Marciano
  • 19 Dgani
  • 03 Ben Haim
  • 21 Tibi Dismissed after an earlier booking
  • 20 Ben Harush
  • 06 Natcho
  • 13 Yeini
  • 07 Zahavi (Sahar - 71' )
  • 09 Refaelov Booked
  • 22 Damari (Hemed - 44' )
  • 12 Ben Haim (Bitton - 60' )

Substitutes


  • 01 Harosh
  • 02 Dasa
  • 04 Bitton
  • 05 Gershon
  • 08 Hemed
  • 10 Barda
  • 11 Shechter
  • 14 Sahar
  • 15 Tawatha
  • 16 Kayal
  • 17 Bar Buzaglo
  • 23 Haimov


Wales


  • 01 Hennessey
  • 19 Collins
  • 06 Williams
  • 05 Davies
  • 02 Gunter
  • 07 Allen
  • 16 Ledley (Vaughan - 48' )
  • 03 Taylor
  • 11 Bale
  • 10 Ramsey (MacDonald - 86' )
  • 09 Robson-Kanu (Vokes - 69' )

Substitutes


  • 04 Edwards
  • 08 Cotterill
  • 12 Williams
  • 13 MacDonald
  • 15 Vokes
  • 15 Church
  • 17 Lawrence
  • 18 Ricketts
  • 20 John
  • 21 Ward
  • 22 Vaughan
  • 23 Henley


Ref: Milorad Mazic

Live Text Commentary

Full time Full Time Match ends, Israel 0, Wales 3.
90:00 +2:08 Full time Full Time Second Half ends, Israel 0, Wales 3.
88:17 Attempt missed. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Sam Vokes.
87:37 Foul by Ashley Williams (Wales).
87:37 Tommer Hemed (Israel) wins a free kick on the right wing.
87:15 Attempt missed. Sam Vokes (Wales) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Gareth Bale.
85:22 Substitution Substitution Substitution, Wales. Shaun MacDonald replaces Aaron Ramsey.
84:25 Corner, Wales. Conceded by Ofir Marciano.
84:22 Attempt saved. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Chris Gunter.
84:06 Attempt blocked. Sam Vokes (Wales) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Neil Taylor.
82:48 Corner, Israel. Conceded by Wayne Hennessey.
82:44 Attempt saved. Ben Sahar (Israel) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bebras Natcho.
80:27 Attempt missed. Tommer Hemed (Israel) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left.
79:20 Delay over. They are ready to continue.
78:14 Delay in match Nir Bitton (Israel) because of an injury.
76:36 Goal scored Goal! Goal! Israel 0, Wales 3. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Aaron Ramsey.
72:28 Sam Vokes (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
72:28 Foul by Nir Bitton (Israel).
70:39 Attempt saved. Sam Vokes (Wales) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
70:37 Attempt blocked. Sam Vokes (Wales) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Allen with a through ball.

70:04 Substitution Substitution Substitution, Israel. Ben Sahar replaces Eran Zahavi.
68:40 Substitution Substitution Substitution, Wales. Sam Vokes replaces Hal Robson-Kanu.
64:11 Offside, Israel. Omri Ben Harush tries a through ball, but Tommer Hemed is caught offside.
63:36 Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Israel) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
62:49 Foul by Ben Davies (Wales).
62:49 Lior Refaelov (Israel) wins a free kick on the right wing.
60:45 Foul by Neil Taylor (Wales).
60:45 Lior Refaelov (Israel) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
59:39 Substitution Substitution Substitution, Israel. Nir Bitton replaces Tal Ben Haim.
54:55 Attempt missed. Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
53:34 Attempt missed. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Aaron Ramsey.
52:29 Delay over. They are ready to continue.
52:05 Delay in match Orel Dgani (Israel) because of an injury.
51:48 Attempt blocked. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
50:45 Dismissal Dismissal Second yellow card to Eitan Tibi (Israel) for a bad foul.
50:29 Foul by Eitan Tibi (Israel).
50:29 Gareth Bale (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
49:26 Goal scored Goal! Goal! Israel 0, Wales 2. Gareth Bale (Wales) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the top right corner.
48:04 Booking Booking Eitan Tibi (Israel) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
48:01 Foul by Eitan Tibi (Israel).
48:01 Gareth Bale (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
47:05 Substitution Substitution Substitution, Wales. David Vaughan replaces Joe Ledley because of an injury.
46:53 Delay over. They are ready to continue.
46:00 Delay in match Joe Ledley (Wales) because of an injury.
45:00 Second Half begins Israel 0, Wales 1.
45:00 +1:19 Half time Half Time First Half ends, Israel 0, Wales 1.
45:00 +0:08 Goal scored Goal! Goal! Israel 0, Wales 1. Aaron Ramsey (Wales) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Gareth Bale with a headed pass.
43:28 Booking Booking Lior Refaelov (Israel) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
43:26 Foul by Lior Refaelov (Israel).
43:26 Aaron Ramsey (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
43:11 Substitution Substitution Substitution, Israel. Tommer Hemed replaces Omer Damari because of an injury.
43:03 Delay over. They are ready to continue.
41:56 Delay in match Omer Damari (Israel) because of an injury.
40:00 Lior Refaelov (Israel) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:00 Foul by Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales).
38:51 Omri Ben Harush (Israel) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
38:51 Foul by Chris Gunter (Wales).
36:21 Hand ball by Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales).
34:30 Hand ball by Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales).
32:42 Corner, Wales. Conceded by Orel Dgani.
31:45 Corner, Israel. Conceded by Wayne Hennessey.
31:40 Attempt saved. Eran Zahavi (Israel) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tal Ben Haim.
24:52 Foul by Omri Ben Harush (Israel).
24:52 Joe Allen (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
24:27 Attempt blocked. Lior Refaelov (Israel) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
23:26 Attempt missed. Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Neil Taylor.
22:03 Foul by Omer Damari (Israel).
22:03 Aaron Ramsey (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
21:05 Orel Dgani (Israel) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
21:05 Foul by Neil Taylor (Wales).
20:41 Attempt blocked. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
19:09 Sherran Yeini (Israel) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
19:09 Dangerous play by Joe Allen (Wales).
18:23 Omri Ben Harush (Israel) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
18:23 Foul by James Collins (Wales).
17:32 Corner, Wales. Conceded by Tal Ben Haim.
17:15 Attempt blocked. Joe Allen (Wales) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
16:50 Attempt blocked. Aaron Ramsey (Wales) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Neil Taylor.
12:19 Delay over. They are ready to continue.
11:54 Delay in match (Israel).
10:37 Attempt missed. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
6:56 Attempt missed. Aaron Ramsey (Wales) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Chris Gunter.
3:56 Foul by Chris Gunter (Wales).
3:56 Tal Ben Haim (Israel) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
1:15 Foul by Eran Zahavi (Israel).
1:15 Gareth Bale (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
0:00 First Half begins.
0:00 Lineups are announced and players are warming up.