Belgium is our biggest game Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale refused to downplay the significance of Friday’s Euro 2016 quarter-final against Belgium, calling it their biggest match in over 50 years.

But the Real Madrid star is confident his team side will not be overwhelmed by the occasion, revelling in each other’s company, as well as having scored a win over their opponents en route to qualifying for the tournament.

“Yeah [Belgium’s quarter-final is one of Wales’ biggest games], I think from especially my time and in recent times I suppose, obviously we know about the quarter-final in the World Cup in ’58, so since then it’s obviously the biggest game in Welsh football for sure. What am I looking forward to? Well, we’re eager to get started and excited. We just want to enjoy the occasion, take it all in and hopefully we can get into the semis.

Bale also believes Wales and fellow underdogs Iceland have provided a ‘breathe of fresh air’ in reaching the last-eight, and stressed the depth of quality at his side the beyond himself and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey.

“We’re very happy. I think it’s our time to shine. We’re the only home nation [from The United Kingdom] left in the competition which is an amazing achievement in itself. The game against Northern Ireland was a very ugly game and one that was not suited to us I guess, but to play bad and win shows the team spirit and character and what we’ve got at the moment. We’re very happy and very proud and will be flying the flag of Wales very proud.”