Euro 2016: Gareth Bale Says a Happy Meal Has Wales Smiling Again As They Focus on Russia

Gareth Bale has revealed Wales moved past the gut-wrenching loss to England by dining out on burger and chips — and insists the side are still on course for a place in the last 16.

The Real Madrid star admitted the last-minute defeat by opponents he had branded ‘the enemy’ was difficult to stomach but said breaking from the usually strict menu amid relaxing surroundings helped boost morale.

Gareth Bale took to social media to show himself in a recovery chamber, but while the Wales talisman was looking chilled it's all heating up for his Wales team in Group B.

Wales are fretting over progression to the knockout stages and require a win over Russia in Toulouse to make certain of extending their stay in France.

Manager Chris Coleman gave his squad Friday off following the last-gasp defeat and Bale said it was used wisely, with a group meal away from their team hotel in Dinard.

‘After the game we decided to go out for lunch as a group, the staff and players,’ said Bale. ‘We had a nice meal out, everybody. It was to get away from the hotel a little bit, a change of scenery. Burger and chips seems to have helped!

‘Obviously we are eating very well at the hotel. Strict. So it is nice to get a change and it lightens everyone’s mood. I had pancake Nutella for dessert.’

Bale, who is aware of his responsibilities on and off the pitch, said that despite scoring twice in the tournament he wants more from himself.

The world’s most expensive player at £85 million has found the net from free-kicks in both games so far but wants to provide greater influence in open play, too. His trademark bursts forward are a rare sight.

‘I can do better,’ he said. ‘We’ve spoken about moving the ball better and if we don’t keep the ball it’s difficult to do what I try to do best.
‘But it’s not about my performances, in my mind they don’t matter at all. It’s about the team, us getting to the next round.

‘Individually, whether you score goals or win awards, it’s irrelevant. I’d take playing rubbish every single game if it meant we could go as far as we can.’

Asked if he wanted to make a mark on games beyond set-pieces, he said: ‘Yeah, definitely. It’s a new experience for the whole team. It’s maybe a little bit different to what we’re used to.

‘We need to be more relaxed, move the ball like we did in qualifying. Maybe we haven’t done that as much and that’s an area we need to improve. We’ve defended amazingly but, if we can get the ball down and play more, hopefully I can influence it a bit more.’

Bale caused a stir by claiming Wales had more pride and passion than England and he was adamant that team morale had not been affected by that 2-1 defeat in Lens.

‘Obviously we’re very disappointed, especially to lose in that manner,’ he said. ‘But we had a chat straightaway. It’s a different experience for us, now we have to forget about it. It’s over.

‘Our fate is in our own hands and if you’d given us this at the start of the tournament we would have taken it. We have it all to play for and we’re still very excited.’

Wales know victory over Russia will guarantee them a place in the last 16, and a draw would be enough if England avoid defeat against Slovakia in the other Group B game as head-to-head records count first in splitting teams who finish on the same points. Losing would spell an exit if Slovakia draw.

Coming third in the group would lead to an anxious 48-hour wait to discover their fate as the rest of the first-stage matches are completed, confirming whether or not they’ll be one of the best third-placed teams.

Bale was in the crowd for one of the infamous matches of Welsh history, when Russia won 1-0 in a play-off to steal away a place at the 2004 European Championships.