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TOULOUSE, France, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Debutants Wales roared into EURO 2016 last 16 here on Monday, whitewashing Russia 3-0 in the third round and topping Group B with six points, followed by England with five points, and Slovakia four points.
Wales, which attended a major soccer tournament after a 58-year wait, beat Slovakia 2-1 in their Group B opener, lost to England 2-1 in the second round and defeated Russia 3-0 Monday night.
With only one point, Russia were sent packed in spite of an 1-1 tie with England in their group opener.
Russia fielded more attacking players in the midfield Monday while Wales kept on their 5-3-2 formation.
However, it was Wales that dominated the game with 19 attempts, 11 on target. Russia's defense in the midfield almost collapsed.
Aaron Ramsey gifted Wales a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen threaded a wonderful pass through the middle for the Arsenal midfielder who evaded the offside trap and lifted the ball over the advancing Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev.
Left-back Neil Taylor doubled the lead after 20 minutes when Real Madrid star Gareth Bale found Taylor in the open. Bale sent a pinpoint pass to make Taylor one-on-one with Akinfeev. Taylor's close-range shot was incredibly denied by Akinfeev but the Swansea defender poked the rebound into the empty net.
It was the first international goal for the 27-year-old Taylor.
Bale, the most shinning player in the game, sealed the win at 3-0 in the 67th minute when he got a through pass from Ramsey and beat Akinfeev with a deft finish.
Bale played a leading role in Wales' attacking with his wonderful dribbling, timely passes and powerful shots.
Russia, which beat Wales in EURO 2004 qualifying play-off and twice in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, did not show their best. They made 13 shots, only two on target. Enditem
