HAT-TRICK HERO

Belarus 2 Wales 3: Gareth Bale scores stunning hat-trick and wins World Cup qualifier in final seconds

GARETH BALE ended his international goal drought with a dramatic hat-trick to keep Wales’ World Cup dream alive. 

The Dragons looked set to end the game red-faced by dropping points against minnows Belarus – despite two penalties from the Real Madrid superstar. 

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Bale scored three to steal three points against BelarusCredit: GETTY IMAGES

But deep into stoppage time he got on the end of a low cross by Dan James to get in a shot which squirmed through the grasp of the home goalkeeper.

Bale, 32, had billed this as a ‘must win’ game beforehand and once again he came to the rescue of his country – just when they needed him most. 

Such a dramatic finish looked unlikely when Wales took the lead inside the first five minutes. 

Ben Davies lobbed a ball into the area and Bale was too quick for keeper Syarhey Chernik, who clattered into him and got nowhere near the ball. 

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The former Tottenham ace missed from the spot during the Dragons famous win over Turkey at the Euros – sending his effort high over the bar. 

But he had no hesitation grabbing the ball again here and this time he made no mistake - sending Chernik the wrong way to score his 34th international goal.  

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