Saturday 2 July 2016 16:04, UK
Gareth Bale's dream of winning Euro 2016 with Wales remains alive after he and his team-mates dug deep to send Belgium packing in remarkable fashion in Friday's quarter-final.
Wales recovered from Radja Nainggolan's stunning opener in the 13th minute to win 3-1 in Lille but, rather than go-to man Bale getting on the scoresheet, it was captain Ashley Williams, striker Hal Robson-Kanu and substitute Sam Vokes who got the goals.
A semi-final clash with Portugal awaits for Chris Coleman's side, setting up an enticing clash between Bale and his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It feels incredible. We fully believed we could get this far. We said we'd give it a good go. We're enjoying the journey," said Bale.
"We fought as hard as anyone. We covered every blade of grass. I think we deserve to be in the semi-finals. We believe in ourselves. We know what we're doing."
As for the clash with Ronaldo, Bale added: "It's Portugal versus Wales, nothing more. It's in our hands now, but we can't afford to look past the semi-final. We just have to keep doing what we've been doing and we'll stick to that."
The hopes of Wales fans at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy were pinned on Bale shining as he had done earlier in the tournament.
With his parents watching, Bale had an influence on proceedings but such a spectacular victory owed more to a huge collective effort.
The world's most expensive player's three goals in three games helped Chris Coleman's side through the group stage and it was his cross that forced Gareth McAuley's own-goal that allowed Wales to beat Northern Ireland in the last 16.
But then there was Robson-Kanu's winner against Slovakia in their opening game and Aaron Ramsey's sterling display in the 3-0 trouncing of an abject Russia, not to mention the collective efforts of their well-drilled defence.
In 1958, the Welsh had to make do without star player John Charles as they lost narrowly to Pele and Brazil in the World Cup quarter-final in Sweden.
And looking back more than 50 years still resonates with Bale and the current Wales squad.
"We're very proud at what the '58 team did," said Bale. "They had some amazing players.
"But we've always spoken that this is our time to shine, and we've definitely done that. It's going to be an amazing day, we've already made history and hopefully we can make more."
