Bale, with Wales in pairs

Definitely, If Gareth Bale played every week for Wales instead of being that easygoing Real Madrid footballer, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to consider him for a Ballon d’Or. With the Dragon shirt he transforms from the ice floe that is Chamartín to a fiery and dominant star, and he did it again against Austria to leave his country in the World Cup play-off final. A double of goals, the first from a set piece and the second after a corner, that brings down his teammate Alaba from the race and continues to make more than one Madridista wonder why the hell he doesn’t do the same with Madrid.

It soon became clear that Gareth had this match against Austria in the sights of his physical preparation for several months. If last Sunday he fell off the bench in the Classic at the last minute alleging back pain, four days later he was seen in full swing at Cardiff Stadium. Not even an uncontrolled elbow from Alaba precisely to the Welshman’s kidneys made him require medical assistance as could be logical. Not a trace of any discomfort. like a bull. And the rest of the Welsh team was mounted on his back. Baumgartner pardoned the 0-1 in the 8th minute and from then on the show was Bale’s thing. First in minute 26 with an amazing free kick, with that slightly dry fall patented by his former teammate Cristiano. He celebrated by biting the shield of his shirt. You know: the Welsh. Golf. and what follows. Always in that order. Robert Page is the Wales manager but Gareth rules there. And more when he took over the complete heroism with the 2-0 in which he unbound Lindner again with a left foot.

The Austrians almost crash Gareth’s party

With everything and with that, Austria made the rebound game spicy because he couldn’t do it with football. A shot from Sabitzer was deflected by center back Davies and Hennessey couldn’t do anything. A goal that did not worry Wales because they had their leader asking for more and grouping a troop where only Ramsey seemed to maintain the level. Gareth’s image was to be seen. Shouting, pressing, hitting his chest in the red shirt that, obviously, puts him much more than the white madridista.

Bale decided to play practically the entire match although he was physically seen paying for the inactivity and made it to bathe completely in the party. He only left the field in the 92nd minute basically to receive a standing ovation from his countrymen. It practically had to be removed from the pitch by turning off the stadium lights. Bale, with Wales, is eternal.