(Sports Focus)Debutants Wales roar into EURO 2016 last 16 with 3-0 win over Russia (updated)

Debutants Wales roared into EURO 2016 last 16 here on Monday, whitewashing Russia 3-0 in the third round and topping Group B with six points, followed by England with five points, and Slovakia four points.

Wales, which attended a major soccer tournament after a 58-year wait, beat Slovakia 2-1 in their Group B opener, lost to England 2-1 in the second round and defeated Russia 3-0 Monday night.

Wales coach Chris Coleman said, "It was a fantastic win. I am proud of the performance of the players."

"I was not surprised Russia had four new players coming in comparing to the Slovakia game. We just concentrated on our game," Coleman added.

With only one point, Russia were sent packed in spite of an 1-1 tie with England in their group opener.

Russia fielded more attacking players in the midfield Monday while Wales kept on their 5-3-2 formation.

However, it was Wales that dominated the game with 19 attempts, 11 on target. Russia's defense in the midfield almost collapsed.

Aaron Ramsey gifted Wales a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen threaded a wonderful pass through the middle for the Arsenal midfielder who evaded the offside trap and lifted the ball over the advancing Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev.

Ramsey said, "It was fantastic to have the ball. We've waited for a long time. We wanted to be recognized."

"You can hear the fans singing outside. I think we made them proud," he added.

Left-back Neil Taylor doubled the lead after 20 minutes when Real Madrid star Gareth Bale found Taylor in the open. Bale sent a pinpoint pass to make Taylor one-on-one with Akinfeev. Taylor's close-range shot was incredibly denied by Akinfeev but the Swansea defender poked the rebound into the empty net.

It was the first international goal for the 27-year-old Taylor.

Bale, the most shinning player in the game, sealed the win at 3-0 in the 67th minute when he got a through pass from Ramsey and beat Akinfeev with a deft finish.

Bale played a leading role in Wales' attacking with his wonderful dribbling, timely passes and powerful shots.

Bale also became the first player scoring three times in the tournament, followed by five two-goal scorers -- Russian Denis Glushakov, Romanian Bogdan Stancu, French Dimitri Payet, Spaniard Alvaro Morata and Belgian Romelu Lukaku.

But Ramsey edged Bale to be the Man of the Match, which was voted by all the accredited journalists.

Coleman said, "Bale is a great player, but we had a lot of team efforts tonight. I don't know why people always say we are a one-man team. "

Russia coach Leonid Slutski was so disappointed and said, "It was bad in every area. I think the team could play better. "

"I'll take the full responsibility because I prepared the team for the tournament. I apologize to the Russian fans. It is my mistake. I don't want any individual player to be focused, " Slutski added.

Russia, which had beaten Wales in EURO 2004 qualifying play-off and twice in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, did not show their best. They made 13 shots, only two on target. Endit