Bale doesn’t want Euro 2016 dream to end yet for Wales

Gareth Bale: Enjoying every moment of Euro 2016

Gareth Bale: Enjoying every moment of Euro 2016

Gareth Bale urged Wales to continue “riding the wave” after clinching their spot in the last eight of Euro 2016.

Bale was kept on a tight leash by Northern Ireland in a cagey Battle of Britain in Paris, but he was instrumental in the winning goal when Gareth McAuley diverted the forward’s 75th-minute cross into his own net.

Wales will now play either Hungary and Belgium in the quarter-final on Friday, and the Real Madrid star believes they have got momentum to hopefully go even further in the tournament.

“It’s similar to qualifying, you get one win and the confidence grows,” said Bale.

“We’re very confident at the moment, we know we’ve had difficult games.

“But we’ve battled today, shown our team spirit and passion and we just want to carry on riding this wave.

“We will keep working hard to get as far as we can.”

Hungary and Belgium will meet in Toulouse on Sunday night to decide who plays Wales in Lille.

“I can’t choose (who to play),” said Bale.

“Hungary have been very good in this tournament, but we probably know a bit more about Belgium as they have been in our last two qualifying groups.

“Either game, no matter who we play, will be difficult.

“You don’t get to a quarter-final of a major tournament with luck, you have to be a very good team to get there.

“We know no matter who we play it’s going to be a difficult game, but we will be ready for it.”

Gareth Bale: Celebrates with his daughter at full-time

Bale celebrated victory at the final whistle with his three-year-old daughter Alba Violet.

“The feeling after was difficult to describe, very happy, very emotional,” said Bale.

“To be able to share it with my daughter and my family was emotional for me.

“I haven’t seen them for four or five weeks.

“It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

“But our ambition is to keep fighting on and win every game we play.

“We knew it would be difficult today, but we had that one moment of quality that forced them into a mistake and ultimately that won us the game.”