By Paul Jones Gareth Bale has described Wales’ journey from the football wilderness to the World Cup as “crazy”. Wales qualified for their first World Cup in 64 years by beating Ukraine 1-0 in a pulsating play-off final in Cardiff on Sunday. But little more than a decade ago, Wales were languishing 117th in the […]

Gareth Bale joked he would be delaying his retirement “for a little bit” after he fired Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years on Sunday night. Speculation had been rife that the Real Madrid star – who is set to become a free agent at the end of the month when his deal at the Bernabeu expires – would retire if Wales had failed to qualify for yet another World Cup. But the 32-year-old stepped up when his country needed him most to fire in the free-kick that was deflected past Ukraine goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan to make history.

The eyes of the world will be watching as Wales take on Ukraine in the World Cup play-off final at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday evening in a bid to secure a place in Qatar in November. It is set to be an emotional night for both teams, as Wales will be on the hunt to end decades of hurt after missing out on previous World Cups since 1958. Meanwhile, Ukraine will also be vying for a place in their second finals – their first was in 2006 – after three months of war with Russia, so it will be an inspirational occasion for the country should they qualify.

Joe Rodon says he has taken a leaf out of Gareth Bale’s book and not “cried” over his club situation as the pair bid to take Wales to the World Cup. Like Bale at Real Madrid, Rodon has been under-employed by his club this season – making just 10 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur and only three in the Premier League. But the duo will be key pillars at either end of the pitch for Wales against Ukraine on Sunday in the World Cup play-off showdown at Cardiff City Stadium,  a gigantic match that is live on S4C.

Hugh Morris, Gareth Bale and Brynmor Williams were Welsh sports stars given awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Glamorgan chief executive Morris was awarded an MBE for services to cricket and charity, while Wales captain Bale had the same honour for services to football and charity. Williams, a former Wales and Lions scrum-half, was also recognised for his charity work as well as achievements in rugby.

By Paul Jones Danny Ward insists that, as fans, the Wales players know exactly how heavy the weight of history feels as they prepare to qualify for a first World Cup finals for over half a century. The squad preparing to face their World Cup play-off final date next weekend hope to make history by […]

Wales manager Rob Page has offered to personally build Gareth Bale his own statue – even if the World Cup qualifier turns out to be his final game for his country. Bale has not played much football at Madrid this season, but his big game ability and undoubted quality mean that he is an outsider to potentially be the man to break Liverpool hearts once more, in what would be a fitting end to a trophy laden time in the Spanish capital when the Champins League final takes place on Saturday. Despite his success, the Madrid media, fans and those at the top have often used the Welsh legend as a scapegoat for financial and scouting mishaps made by those in charge.

Gareth Bale has been backed by Davide Ancelotti to bow out with yet another trophy when Real Madrid face Liverpool in the Champions League Final at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday. Bale scored twice for Real against Liverpool in 2018, and the Wales captain has won the Champions League four times during his nine years in Spain. The talisman who will carry his nation’s hope of World Cup play-off glory next weekend scored one of the greatest goals in Champions League history in the 2018 final – a glorious overhead kick past the helpless Loris Karius, not long after coming off the bench.

Gymnast Poppy Stickler is the latest pupil to be honoured in Whitchurch High School’s renowned Hall of Fame. Gareth Bale, Sam Warburton and Geraint Thomas already grace the walls of the most famous sporting school in Wales. Now it’s the turn of Sticker. The Cardiff pupil – who turns 16 on June 12 – is a strong contender to be named in the Wales squad for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Swansea City and Cardiff City will both end their seasons on a wing and a prayer on Saturday afternoon. Both have suffered battle damage after a long season and neither can do anything other than pray their wishes come true this summer. For the Swans, that will mean hoping against hope they can retain some of their best players.

Gareth Bale is looking to inspire the next generation of golfers in Wales, backing a new national Under 16 event for boys and girls. Working with Wales Golf, who will run the national junior championship at the beginning of June, the tournament is the start of a three-year partnership between Wales Golf, Bale and his management company ICM Stellar Sports.

By Harry Corish Gareth Bale has been pinpointed by as the man who can destroy Scotland’s hopes of reaching the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Former Scotland and Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes the entire Scottish nation is wary of Bale, who has the ability to knock Scotland out of the World Cup reckoning. Scotland fans […]