Bale gives Wales 1-0 lead over England at halftime

Gareth Bales scored a spectacular freekick to give Wales a 1-0 lead at halftime over England in their Group B match here on Thursday.

Bales, who became the world's most expensive player when he moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid in 2014, drove the ball from 35 meters to the right bottom corner in the 43rd minute. England goalkeeper Joe Hart got hands on it but failed to push it past the post.

Roy Hodgson's side had dominated the match from start but could not turn their superiority into goals.

Gary Cahill's header from Wayne Rooney's free-kick was well parried by Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey in the 26th minute. Chris Smalling then rose high to head Rooney's corner wide of Hennessey's right-hand post. Endit