JOE LEDLEY made a dream comeback from a broken leg to help set up Hal Robson Kanu for the 81st minute winner for Wales against Slovakia.
The former Celtic midfielder came on as a 69th minute substitute for David Williams to complete his recovery from a leg break suffered against Stoke City 33 days ago.
Wales had taken the lead in the 10th minute from a Gareth Bale free kick but the game was back in the balance when substitute Ondrej Duda with his first touch of the match just past the hour.
The game looked to be slipping away from Chris Coleman’s side but a brilliantly weighted pass from Ledley opened up the Slovak defence, when Aaron Ramsey slipped the ball to Robson Kanu he swung his left foot at the ball and although it wasn’t text book contact his shot ended up in the back of the net.
Wales survived over four minutes of added time but with full points from their opening match can seal their place in the next round by beating England on Thursday.
It was a magnificent performance from Wales, proving that they are a more than capable team and not simply Bale and ten of his mates.
Ledley has been nursed back to fitness over the last five weeks with his recovery and performance typical of the spirit build up by Coleman.
Discussing Ledley’s recovery before the match the Welsh boss said: “To get to where he is, is an unbelievable job, just fantastic. He’s always been in my consideration and I think he is one of those players who is important on and off the pitch – his character, what he brings to the group.
“I’m not going to give anything away at the moment but he is available to play some part, whether that’s a start or to come on as a substitute.
“He’s been really impressive in training and for him to get to where he is now, considering where he came from at the end of the season – physically and mentally – he’s shown what he is made of. It’s a credit.”