Wales are playing at their first major tournament since the World Cup in 1958 and Bale carries a great deal of his nation’s hopes on his shoulders.
The Real Madrid man was given a free, roaming role from attacking midfield by manager Chris Coleman and he sent his nation into raptures by handing them the lead.
Bale struck in the tenth minute with a typical dipping free-kick as Wales made the early running despite needing a goal-line clearance from Ben Davies to deny Marek Hamsik an opener for Slovakia.
Most of the big players have failed to deliver in the opening matches but not Bale.
You can follow this game and every match at Euro 2016, LIVE RIGHT HERE on Sport360.com.
OMG WHAT A GOAL BY BALE!!! pic.twitter.com/zvgJO4QNB0
— Champ (@ChampChong) June 11, 2016
