After years in which he suffered repeated criticism and went through a difficult time at Real Madrid, Gareth Bale proved tonight (Sunday) that despite everything - he is one of the greatest winners in history.
The Welshman led his Los Angeles team to the American League championship last night, after a penalty shootout victory over the Philadelphia Union (0:3).
Bale scored a dramatic equalizer in the 128th minute, after coming on as a substitute in the 97th minute, in a match that ended in a crazy 3:3.
He scored the goal when he towered over the English brakeman Jack Elliott, who stands at a height of 1.98 meters.
This morning also in the Spanish media India - it is a legend.
"Bale's miracle", wrote AS, who was one of his biggest opponents in his days at Real, "at the end of a crazy final, he led his team to the championship, after it seemed that it was already impossible, only great players can really change reality like this".
Doing what we all know he does.
Congratulations to @GarethBale11 on winning the #MLSCup Final.
#ArBenYByd |
#TogetherStronger
pic.twitter.com/kMtSFYPmvH
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) November 5, 2022
At the end, the player himself admitted that he probably has a talent for scoring in final games, after becoming the first to score in the Champions League final and the MLS final.
The Welshman's goal was the latest to be scored in American League history and tied the game at 3-3 after Los Angeles had twice taken the lead, before being forced to play with 10 men in extra time and then falling behind 3-2 in the 124th minute.
"It's always nice to score in the final and I seem to have the talent to do it," Bale said, "It's big. It's important for the club, it's important for the fans. We were with 10 players and it didn't really look like we were going to get anything out of the game. So credit goes to everyone who kept pushing, Keep fighting, and like I said, it was nice to get the goal and help the team. It's a great feeling."
Bale's goal.
There are no words, photo: Getty Images
The 33-year-old made it clear he was still not 100 per cent fit and admitted he was worried about his fitness, just over two weeks before he is due to lead Wales to their first World Cup since 1958. "I feel better as time goes on," he said.
"I think it will be mentally difficult to prepare like this for the tournament. You see how there are so many players who get injured and now they miss the World Cup. There is no doubt that it was in my mind, trying to make sure I am in full shape."
Wales' first game at the World Cup will be, amusingly, against the USA on November 21. Bale's coach, Steve Charondolo, who has made 87 appearances for the USA, joked that he hoped the Welshman would not play like that against the US team.
"I'm sure he doesn't want to, but I'll try," Bale responded with a smile.
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