AARON RAMSEY was the comeback star for Wales after his stunning brace fired Ryan Giggs’ heroes to Euro 2020.
The Juventus midfielder, making his first start of the qualifying campaign after a series of injuries, scored in either half to spark wild celebrations in Cardiff.
Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring with a header after just 15 minutesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Wales managed to avoid the dreaded play-offs with a win over HungaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Chris Coleman’s class of 2016 reached the semi-finals in France after 58 years of qualification hurt.
But Rambo’s inspired display against Hungary secured back-to-back Euro qualifications and means the triumphant Dragons will embark on another European tour at next summer’s finals.
Ramsey, named in the Team of the Tournament three years ago, showed his supreme quality with a close-range header in the first half followed by a composed finish in the 47th minute to start the party in the Welsh capital.
Wales boss Giggs had waited just over a year to get the chance to pick star duo Ramsey and Gareth Bale in the same team for a competitive game.
Ramsey completed a 30-minute outing in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Azerbaijan after a frustrating thigh injury and that run out in Baku was deemed enough to select him from the start.
But Ramsey’s lengthy absence in a Wales shirt was worth the wait as he arrived at just the right time to score his 15th and 16th goals for Wales.
That memorable double puts the ex-Arsenal ace seventh on his nation’s all-time goal scoring list alongside Cliff Jones, Mark Hughes, Robert Earnshaw and Cliff Jones.
On a night where both Wales and Hungary needed to win to ensure qualification, Ramsey’s opener eased the tension inside the Cardiff City Stadium.
Joe Allen and Connor Roberts combined neatly down the right to find Bale in space.
Jubilant Gareth Bale celebrates Euro 2020 qualification by holding up fans’ hilarious ‘Wales, Golf, Madrid In That Order’ flag
Aaron Ramsey doubled his tally from close range in the 47th minute of the clashCredit: Getty – Contributor
Gareth Bale bagged the assist for Aaron Ramsey’s first goalCredit: Getty – Contributor
Wideman Bale cut back on his left foot and his dangerous cross saw Ramsey unmarked to nod past Peter Gulacsi from six yards. Real Madrid to Juventus, boom.
It was Ramsey’s first goal for Wales in 14 months since the 28-year-old netted against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.
Ramsey’s towering header was so impressive the Wales fans in the Canton Stand at the opposite end of the ground thought 6ft 5ins cult hero Kieffer Moore had scored!
Hungary responded and Botond Barath headed wide and then had a penalty claim waved away by referee Ovidiu Alin when Dominik Szoboszlai bundled into Chris Mepham.
Wales almost grabbed a second goal through Moore following a swift counter-attack.
Ben Davies, Dan James, Ramsey and Bale were all involved in a slick move before the latter’s right-footed cross looked perfect for Moore.
But the Wigan striker, who netted in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Azerbaijan, directed his header wide of the post.
The one goal margin appeared slender when Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey produced a crucial double save.
Adam Szalai headed the ball across goal to Szoboszlai, whose initial shot was kept out by Hennessey before the Crystal Palace stopper also got down well to deny Rolan Sallai.
Wales went into the half-time break with the lead and doubled that advantage just two minutes into the second period.
Aaron Ramsey stole the show for Wales in the must-win match against HungaryCredit: Reuters
Davies’ outswinging free-kick from the left was flicked across the penalty box and, despite a hint of offside but with no VAR in operation, the flag stayed down and the ball broke to Ramsey, who calmed slotted home past Gulacsi.
Wales could have scored more to seal the gloss on this triumph. Bale’s dipping free-kick flew inches over the crossbar before James also went close.
Ramsey was denied a hat-trick by the left leg of Gulacsi but by then the Turin-based star had already etched his name in Welsh football folklore forever.
Fans held up banners before giving Gareth Bale a standing ovation when he was subbedCredit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
