Friday 1 July 2016 16:42, UK
Wales are the underdogs for their Euro 2016 quarter-final with Belgium on Friday night, but could Chris Coleman's side spring another surprise?
They are bidding to reach the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time in their history having qualified for the knockout stages as Group B winners and beaten Northern Ireland in the last 16.
Wales will return home as heroes regardless of what happens next, but here are six reasons why their Euro 2016 adventure may not be over yet…
Wales's impressive performances have shown they are no one-man team but the importance of Gareth Bale should not be understated. While many of the superstars at Euro 2016 have struggled to find their best form in France, Bale has been one of the tournament's stand-out performers.
His goals against Slovakia, England and Russia have put him joint-top of the scoring charts, and his sky-high confidence has been obvious on and off the pitch. Bale has had more shots on target (13) than any other player at Euro 2016, and his rare ability to produce match-winning moments of magic could help Wales spring a few more surprises before the tournament is out.
England fans scoffed when Bale said none of Roy Hodgson's players would get into Wales's starting XI before their Group B clash in Lens, but it doesn't sound so ridiculous now. For while Chris Coleman's side do not possess the same level of talent as many of their rivals at Euro 2016, they have shown the value of team spirit and togetherness.
Full-back Chris Gunter has described their spirit as "unbreakable", and it shows on the pitch. Wales work tirelessly for each other. It makes them difficult to beat. "Literally everything is about the team," said Bale recently. "If somebody can't get back, I'll fill in. If I have to make an unselfish run to create space, I'll do that. It's the same for all of us. We are united as one, we will do anything for each other, and I think that is the big difference for us."
On an individual level, Aaron Ramsey's fine form is another major positive. The 25-year-old endured a difficult season with Arsenal in 2015/16, but he has shone in Wales's midfield. He scored an excellent goal in the 3-0 win over Russia and there have also been two assists.
Ramsey is Wales' heartbeat. He has made more passes (163), created more scoring chances (nine), and completed more dribbles (17) than any of his team-mates, and he is equally important without the ball. Only defender James Chester has made more tackles, and his phenomenal work-rate helps him fulfil his box-to-box role tirelessly.
Belgium's 4-0 thrashing of Hungary in the last 16 sent an ominous message to their Euro 2016 rivals, but Wales know exactly what it takes to beat them. "We are like their bogey team aren't we?" said Bale this week. The Real Madrid forward scored the only goal in a 1-0 win in Cardiff during qualifying, and Wales also clinched a 0-0 draw in Brussels.
"Hopefully that edge gets into their heads, you never know," added Bale, and he's not the only one feeling confident. "We will be the underdogs, but we won't be fearing Belgium," said Coleman. "When teams go for us and play is open, we can do a lot of damage." With Poland or Portugal the possible opponents in the semis, Wales could start dreaming of the final if they can beat their bogey team once more.
As well as being one of the top-scoring teams in the competition, Wales are defensively strong. James Chester, Ashley Williams and Ben Davies offer solidity at the base of their 3-5-2 formation, with wing-backs Neil Taylor and Chris Gunter dropping back to add extra support when the opposition attack.
Their clean sheets against Russia and Northern Ireland will give Wales confidence for the Belgium game, as will the news that Williams is fit enough to play despite suffering an injury in Saturday's game.
Italy frustrated Belgium using the same set-up as Wales, and Taylor admits the players have been picking up tips from Antonio Conte's men. "The lads watched Italy's first game quite closely knowing that they played the same formation and that they were very good at it," he said last week.
"They did it very well, little aspects of the game, especially defensively, and the way they worked as a back five." Belgium are likely to dominate possession in Lille, but Wales look well equipped to cope.
Jan Vertonghen's ankle injury, sustained at the very end of Belgium's training session ahead of Friday's match, creates a problem for coach Marc Wilmots in defence.
Already without the suspended Thomas Vermaelen, Vertonghen's absence will deprive him of two of his four first-choice defenders.
The Tottenham man had been earmarked to cover for Vermaelen in the middle, resuming his partnership with Spurs team-mate Toby Alderweireld.
Instead, Wilmots looks set to turn to two relatively untested 21 year olds - Manchester City's Jason Denayer and Anderlecht's Jordan Lukaku, who have 11 caps between them. With Bale likely to provide Belgium's toughest test at the tournament so far, it's hardly ideal timing.
