Gareth Bale hails Wales' win over Russia as 'best performance I've been involved in'

Gareth Bale lauded Wales' 3-0 win over Russia that saw them top Group B and progress to the knockout phase of Euro 2016 on Monday night, calling it "the best I have been involved in".

Bale turned in a man-of-the-match display, scoring his side's third goal midway through the second half at the Stadium Municipal, to set up a last-16 clash with one of the four best third-placed teams in the competition.

"We knew everything was on this game, it was in our own hands, and we said to go out there and have no regrets," he said.

"The performance was probably the best I have been involved in, and what a support.

"To top the group, what more can you ask? The fans here, the fans at home, we want to thank them very much. It is a dream for all of us.

"We said we did not come here to just make up the numbers, we wanted to put a real effort in and to win the group, you can't do any more than that, so now we will look forwards to whomever we get next."

Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey felt Wales had laid down a marker with their demolition of Russia.

"We wanted to make a statement, putting Welsh football on the map, to show what we are capable of doing and I think we have done that," the Arsenal midfielder said.

"We have shown that we are a good defensive team, but also what a good team we are in possession as well. We created loads of opportunities and can be proud of what we have achieved so far.

"Against England [a 2-1 loss] the occasion maybe got to us, in possession. Tonight that was what we wanted to work on the most and we passed it tremendously well. We could have scored maybe more in the end. 

"Overall, fantastic performance. We topped the group, which nobody probably would have seen coming. Our main target was to get out of the group."

Fellow midfielder Joe Allen, who set up Ramsey's opener, added: "I thought we started the game so well, from start to finish we thoroughly deserved the win. 

"To win in style like that is a special moment for Welsh football, I think. We had the disappointment of the late goal against England, but we didn't let it affect us. You can see how resilient the boys are."