How Wales' Euro 2016 run changed football in the country
BBC Sport revisits Wales' memorable run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, a breakthrough that ended decades of hurt and laid the foundations for future success.
Welsh supporters had gone more than 50 years without seeing their team at a major tournament, so just qualifying for Euro 2016 in France felt like a dream come true. Comedian Elis James recalls how, before the opening match against Slovakia in Bordeaux, fans were even joking that a heavy defeat would not matter as long as the anthem was played. It was the first time Wales had heard their anthem at a major finals in 58 years.
Wales beat Slovakia 2-1, then lost to England and thrashed Russia 3-0 in Toulouse to reach the knockout stages. A narrow win over Northern Ireland followed, setting up a quarter-final against Belgium, then the world's top-ranked team, in Lille. Despite falling behind to a stunning Radja Nainggolan strike, Wales hit back with goals from Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes. Robson-Kanu's Cruyff turn became one of the images of the tournament. Wales then lost 0-2 to Portugal in the semi-final in Lyon, missing the suspended Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies.
After the tournament, Wales qualified for another European Championship and reached the 2022 World Cup, their first in 64 years. The women's team followed by qualifying for Euro 2025. According to Jonathan Ford, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales at the time, the money generated from Euro 2016 allowed the FAW to invest more in women's and grassroots football. Laura McAllister, a former Wales captain, says the breakthrough changed the mentality around Welsh football, making qualification seem achievable. Although the men's team missed out on this summer's World Cup in North America, the disappointment in itself shows how much higher expectations have grown since 2016.
