Aaron Ramsey spares Gareth Bale's blushes as Wales stun Turkey at Euro 2020

Aaron Ramsey’s brilliant first-half goal helped Wales on their way to three massive points in Wednesday’s thrilling 2-0 victory over Turkey at Euro 2020 as the Dragons survived a scare – and a Gareth Bale penalty miss – to effectively book their place in the knockout stages.

Ramsey had three excellent chances in the first-half, latching on to inch-perfect through-balls from Bale each time as the Real Madrid star caused havoc in Baku with his incisive passing.

The first chance he rifled near post while Kieffer Moore was screaming for a square pass and then he blazed over on the half-turn despite having been one-on-one against the Turkey goalkeeper.

But it was third time lucky as another sublime, lofted pass from Bale put Ramsey in on goal yet again, who chested the ball down expertly and guided it past Urgurcan Cakir to finally put Wales deservedly ahead.

Turkey struggled to create chances and looked vulnerable on the break in the first half, but upped their game a little after the restart and enjoyed more controlled possession in Wales’ half.

That pressure almost resulted in a goal when Burak Yilmaz acrobatically volleyed over from close range from a corner.

But Wales still posed a threat, with Ramsey again involved as he collected Connor Roberts’ low cross and fired a deflected effort towards goal that forced a smart stop from Cakir.

No sooner had Turkey repelled the attack then they were on the counter themselves, Yilmaz stretching his legs and dragging an effort wide as the game started to really open up.

On the hour-mark, the game’s most dramatic moment came as Bale was brought down inside the box, but the Welsh talisman – who had an otherwise superb game – blazed the resulting spot-kick over the bar.

But he barely had time to take his head out of his hands before he had another chance to score, closing down Cakir and blocking his attempted clearance as the ball ricocheted agonisingly wide of the goal.

Bale’s penalty miss seemed to galvanise Turkey as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, flooding the box and whipping in crosses.

But that approach seemed to play into the hands of Wales’ tall and commanding defence, who batted away the danger time after time.

They still created chances at the other end too, Ramsey turning provider to set up Bale at the back post but his effort was saved, while Wales’ dogged rearguard stubbornly clung on at the back.

There was yet more drama late on, Merih Demiral forcing Danny Ward into a fine save from a corner while Dan James led a blistering counter only to over-hit his cross as a trio of teammates queued up in the box.

Joe Rondon put his body on the line to clear a late effort from Yilmaz, which then sparked a heated melee which resulted in three yellow cards.

But for all their huffing and puffing, Turkey could not find a breakthrough and Wales wrapped up the win in stoppage time after more good work from Bale on the by-line, who set up Roberts to put the icing on the cake.

The result leaves Wales on four points going into their final group game against Italy in Rome on Sunday and they are virtually assured of their place in the last 16, with the best third-placed sides progressing, while victory could even see Robert Page’s side top the standings.

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