Wales: Bale Hits Hat Trick In Giggs First Game In Charge

Ryan Giggs started his reign as Wales manager in spectacular style with Gareth Bale scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 thrashing of China to become the nation’s leading goalscorer.

The Real Madrid forward, whose every touch was cheered by an enthralled home crowd, put Wales ahead inside three minutes with a fine run and finish clipped into the top corner.

Bale slotted in a second soon after to move level with Ian Rush’s mark of 28, before Sam Vokes’ deft flick and Harry Wilson’s excellent whipped effort on his 21st birthday gave the visitors a 4-0 half-time lead.

Vokes added his second and Wales’ fifth after the break, and then Bale sealed his hat-trick and surpassed Rush’s milestone with an assured low finish to complete the rout.

Giggs’ men will now play in Monday’s final of the China Cup friendly tournament, against the winner of the second semi-final between Uruguay and the Czech Republic on Friday.