Ramsey double sees Wales beat Hungary and qualify for Euro 2020

Wales have qualified for the Euro 2020 finals after a 2-0 win over Hungary in Cardiff.

A brace of goals from Aaron Ramsey, who started for Wales for the first time in over a year, saw Wales cruise to a comfortable victory.

Ramsey was hungry for work during the early stages as Wales probed for an opening and looked comfortable in possession.

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And a strong run by Daniel James ended with Bale firing a shot that was comfortably dealt with by Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.

There were promising signs for Wales and they deservedly took a 15th-minute lead when Bale's cross was powerfully headed home by Ramsey.

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The Bale/Ramsey combination had wasted little time in coming up trumps for Wales, ensuring a dream start in the quest for Euro 2020 qualification.

It was Ramsey's first Wales goal since September 2018, and his team continued to enjoy territorial supremacy.

Hungary had a penalty appeal waved away when Dominik Szoboszlai went down, and Wales launched a blistering counter-attack that saw Bale deliver another pinpoint cross, but Kieffer Moore's header went wide.

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Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey then pulled off a superb save to deny Szoboszlai, and he then smothered a follow-up effort from Roland Sallai.

It was a reminder to Wales that they could not switch off as Bale and company looked to close out the half and preserve their advantage.

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They managed to do exactly that, but Hungary were not out of the contest despite trailing to Ramsey's early goal.

Wales doubled their lead after 47 minutes, and again it was Ramsey who delivered the goods.

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Ben Davies' free-kick was not cleared by the Hungary defence and Moore's shot fell to Ramsey, who powered the ball past Gulacsi.

Manager Ryan Giggs' animated touchline reaction said it all, with Wales well on course to making it a case of mission accomplished.

Bale then went close to a third goal for Wales, dipping a free-kick just over the Hungary crossbar with Gulacsi beaten.

It came after a first change by Giggs, with Ethan Ampadu replacing Joe Morrell, who appeared to have suffered a knock.

Wales were knocking the ball around with a confident swagger and there seemed no way back for Hungary, approaching the hour mark.

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James curved a shot just wide and Hungary's frustration started to surface with substitute Istvan Kovacs being cautioned following a reckless lunge at Ampadu.

The Welsh national anthem began ringing around Cardiff City Stadium and Wales entered the closing 15 minutes knowing that a glittering prize loomed large.

Hungary seemed to have run out of ideas and Ramsey was only denied a hat-trick by Gulacsi's sharp save from a close-range shot.

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Wales were comfortable during the dying minutes, with the final whistle sparking celebrations following their 2-0 win and a sense of satisfaction at a job well done.

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Ramsey said he was relishing the chance to go to another European Championship with Wales.

"We had the best time of our lives in France (at Euro 2016) so we wanted to make sure we got there again," he said on Sky Sports.

"I missed a lot of this campaign but I've chipped in now and it's worthwhile.

"We inspired the nation last time out and we wanted to do it again. There are some players here who didn't experience that and we want to give them a taste of it"

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Bale added: "We have been getting better throughout the campaign and this is where we want to be. We will go there and have some fun again."

"We knew at the start (of qualifying) there was a big job at hand, so we never got too carried away, but now we can just go and enjoy ourselves and have fun."