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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Mark Jones

5 moments you missed from England beating Wales as upset Gareth Bale leaves fans confused

For Wales the World Cup adventure is over, whereas for England it could be only just beginning.

Gareth Southgate's side scored three second half goals to see off neighbours Wales and book their spot in the last-16 of the World Cup, where they will play African champions Senegal.

For Wales however, a dream trip to a first World Cup finals is over after the group stages, with Friday's damaging 2-0 defeat to Iran seemingly knocking the stuffing out of Rob Page's side, who were well beaten on the night thanks to a brace from Marcus Rashford and a strike from Phil Foden.

But you knew about those.

What about the moments you didn't see on television?

Mirror Football were there at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium to fill you in.

Jordan Henderson's caring side

Henderson was involved in a challenge with a concussed Neco Williams (Getty Images)

Wales suffered the blow of losing full-back Neco Williams in the first half after it was eventually discovered that the Nottingham Forest man had sustained a concussion when he was hit on the head by a Rashford free-kick.

However, there were several minutes between Williams being hit and him going off, and during that time he was involved in a tussle with Jordan Henderson.

England midfielder Henderson, Williams' former captain at Liverpool, ended up in a heap on the ground with the Welshman, and seemed to notice that something was wrong with him as he did so.

He embraced Williams and seemed to glance over the sidelines, perhaps suggesting he needed more help, and he was soon to be taken off.

Gareth Bale disappears at half-time

Gareth Bale sat on the bench for the second half (Getty Images)

Wales had several substitutes warming up at half-time, but until the game was just about to restart it wasn't immediately apparent that one of them was coming on.

Brennan Johnson had taken his role on the right hand side of the Wales attack, and as those in stands scanned the pitch in search of who he might have replaced, the idea that it could have been Bale came as something of a shock.

The substitution wasn't announced on the tannoy until a few minutes into the second half, leaving many confused at just what had happened to Wales' talisman, who had gone off with a hamstring injury.

That's got to sting

England fans were happy to rub Wales' noses in the defeat (Getty Images)

The atmosphere at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium was extremely cordial before the game, with England and Wales fans happily mixing and in some cases being part of the same groups of supporters already.

The rivalry shifted up a notch once the game started with a smattering of boos heard over both anthems, but the real brutal retort came from the England fans shortly after their two goal salvo early in the second half.

As Wales struggled to get a foothold in the game they were met with a chorus of "You're going home in the morning".

It was painfully accurate.

Bale is camera shy

Bale pushed a camera away from his face at full-time (PA)

The full-time whistle brought with it the usual post-match scenes of jubilation and desolation, and in the Wales camp there was only one man that people wanted to see.

With speculation rife over his club and country career going forward, Bale was the centre of attention at full-time, and he didn't take too kindly to that as he pushed a camera away from his face while walking into the pitch.

A special serenade

Wales players and fans enjoyed a moment together post-match (Getty Images)

The images of Wales fans applauding their team were seen by many after the full-time whistle, with the 'Red Wall' also being applauded back by the beaten Cymru players.

What wasn't seen by many though was the special serenade the Wales fans gave the unused substitutes who then did their warm-down on the pitch long after everyone else had left it.

Jonny Williams, the hugely popular midfielder who was also part of the squads at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, was the player getting the greatest reception, as several Wales fans lived up to the song they frequently sing, and didn't want to be taken home.

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