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Gareth Bale expects 'fiesty' derby between England and Wales in Lens

Bale esulta dopo il gol segnato contro la Slovacchia (foto getty)
Image: Gareth Bale celebrates his stunning free-kick

Wales star Gareth Bale cannot wait for Thursday's Euro 2016 showdown with England.

Bale scored a stunning free-kick in Wales' 2-1 victory over Slovakia on Saturday, then watched as England were held to a 1-1 draw with Russia, with the Russians scoring a last-minute equaliser.

The two old rivals meet on Thursday in Lens in Real Madrid superstar Bale says Wales will not approach the game any differently just because they won.

England v Russia - Group B: UEFA Euro 2016
Image: England are dejected at the final whistle

Speaking before England's game, he said: "We understand it's going to be a derby, it's going to be feisty, but we'll prepare well. We're concentrating on ourselves and nobody else and we'll be ready for the game.

"We are just going to concentrate on the next game, we want to win the game, we want to play well and we want to do everything we did against Slovakia."

Bale says Wales' fans could make the difference in Lens. A rousing rendition of the Welsh anthem after the Slovaks had equalised - and appeared to be taking a grip on the game - had the desired effect.

Bale said: "There's no other fans like the Welsh. No other country would think of doing things like that to lift the team.

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Wales' players huddle after beating Slovakia
Image: Wales' players huddle after beating Slovakia applauded by their fans

"We were under the cosh a bit towards the end but our fans were the 12th man and pulled us through.

"Obviously on a personal level it's great to get the goal but it really doesn't matter who gets the goals. We just want the points.

"We want the wins and we want to go as far as we can in this tournament. We're all together and we all work hard together. It's about the team, not about individuals.

"We have just worked so hard as a team, run until we couldn't run anymore. We've just given everything for each other and that's why we got the result."

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