Wales snatch late victory against Slovakia

Wales substitute Hal Robson-Kanu scored a late winner to help his country snatch a win against Slovakia in their Euro 2016 opener to make a dramatic return to major tournaments after a 58-year absence.

The world's most expensive player Gareth Bale's dipping free-kick gave Wales a half-time lead and sent their fans into raptures.

However Slovakia substitute Ondrej Duda levelled the scoreline in the 61st minute to help his side get back onto level terms.

But substitute Hal Robson-Kanu - currently without a club - saw his scuffed finish win it for Wales, who now have an excellent chance of progressing to the second round.

Chris Coleman's side face England on Thursday and, with 16 of the 24 teams qualifying for the knockout stages, they can justifiably hope for an extended stay in France.

Absent from major tournaments since the 1958 World Cup, Wales' deafening fans made for a euphoric atmosphere inside a Stade de Bordeaux awash with red.

Coleman had spoken beforehand about the importance of seizing this historic moment, and his players did so with a wholehearted display.

Slovakia were also making their first appearance in the finals stage of a European Championship and, having beaten Spain in qualifying and knocked Italy out of the 2010 World Cup, they had proved they had a taste for the big occasion.

While Welsh hopes depended heavily on Bale, Slovakia's threat was expected to come from their talisman and top-scorer in qualifying, Marek Hamsik.

The Napoli playmaker lived up to his billing, slaloming his way through Wales' defence after three minutes and appearing certain to score, only to be denied by a brilliant goalline clearance by Ben Davies.

It was a frantic start to the match with both sides seemingly inspired by the magnitude of the moment.

And it was Bale who revelled in it most, striking with a wobbling free-kick that Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik should have saved.