Basque National XI 0 Wales 1: Giggs strike rewards Welsh creativity
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy turned on the style to earn Wales a deserved win at the San Mames Stadium here last night. The game was not a full international, but it was played like one and John Toshack's blend of youngsters and established players inflicted a rare defeat on the Basques, only their second in 14 years.
Toshack, who has lived in the Basque country for over 20 years and became a legend at Real Sociedad, had every reason to cherish the Welsh victory.
Giggs, who had never before played in an away friendly for his country, grabbed the second-half winner to mark his growing influence on the match. The Manchester United midfielder was aided by the pace and hard work of Bellamy, who ran the home defence to distraction.
Everton's Simon Davies also did well, while youngsters Lewin Nyatanga, David Cotterill and Joe Ledley performed ably against La Liga players.
Toshack's local knowledge he lives in nearby San Sebastian was underlined by his team selection against a side selected from Bilbao, Alaves, Sociedad and the Champions' League qualifiers Osasuna. He sent out the strongest side he could, led by Giggs.
The Basques should have gone ahead after five minutes, but a stunning goal-line clearance from Carl Robinson foiled Julen Guerrero. Wales' goal came after 76 minutes when Giggs and Bellamy broke quickly. They exchanged passes and Bellamy's neat spin and flick found Giggs in the penalty area. Giggs then clipped a neat shot from 15 yards into the bottom corner. Wales had to fight to protect their lead but deserved to hang on.
Toshack said: "We were under the cosh for long spells early on, this is a difficult place to come. We had our big players doing well Giggs, Bellamy and Davies all had outstanding performances. This has been a tough season for them all, but they gave me everything.
"Ryan is sitting now in midfield and organising things all around him. Craig ran and ran at them and gave their defence a very difficult evening."
Basque National XI: Lafuente (Bilbao); Alonso (Alaves), Lopez Rekarte (Sociedad), Campo (Bolton), Labaka (Sociedad), Punal (Osasuna), Prieto (Sociedad), Guerrero (Bilbao, capt), Etxeberria (Bilbao), Alonso (Sociedad), Gabilondo (Sociedad). Substitutes: Riesgo (Sociedad), Sarriegi (Alaves), Munoz (Osasuna), Garrido (Sociedad), Llorente (Bilbao).
Wales: Jones (QPR); Ledley (Cardiff), Nyatanga (Derby), Gabbidon (West Ham), Collins (West Ham), Robinson (Norwich), Fletcher (West Ham), Bellamy (Blackburn), Earnshaw (Norwich), Davies (Everton), Giggs (Man Utd, capt). Substitutes: Partridge (Bristol City), Crofts (Gillingham), Vaughan (Crewe), Cotterill (Bristol City), Bale (Southampton), Davies (Verona), Price (Ipswich).
Referee: E I Gonzalez (Spain).
* Northern Ireland's US tour began with a single-goal defeat to Uruguay in New Jersey yesterday. The Spain-based midfielder Fabian Estoyanoff scored the only goal of the game after 33 minutes.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments