Gareth Bale’s World Cup embarrassment complete as Wales knocked out by England

Wales’ first World Cup appearance in 64 years has ended in disaster - and one man typified their humiliation more than anyone else.

Gareth Bale touched the ball just once in the first half. Picture: AFP

“You’re going home in the morning,” the English fans sang to their Welsh rivals during the World Cup clash in Qatar.

And after this performance, the Welsh fans may have wished they went home after the opening game draw against the United States.

England scored three second half goals to secure top spot in Group B and set up a second round clash with Senegal.

Wales exit Qatar with just one point from three games, conceding six goals and scoring just one.

Wales came into the final group game needing to beat England and hope Iran and the US drew.

If Iran beat the US, Wales would have needed a four goal win against England.

But it quickly became apparent that Wales would be lucky to score one goal, let alone four.

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Gareth Bale of Wales looks dejected following their side's defeat in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The disaster World Cup for Wales captain Gareth Bale was completed when he was subbed off at half-time of the England game.

In a horror 45 minutes, the winger — who joined Real Madrid in 2013 for a world record $100 million Euro transfer and remains his country’s biggest star — had no shots on goal and completed just one pass, and that was backwards deep in his own half.

Gareth Bale's pass map first half. Wales are kicking left to right pic.twitter.com/XJ2CoR0rI1

— Orbinho (@Orbinho) November 29, 2022

Three of Wales' players had fewer than 10 touches in the first half:

Gareth Bale: 7
Dan James: 7
Connor Roberts: 9#WALENG | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/h7s1f11WFM

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 29, 2022

😅 Wales failed to have a touch in the England box in the first half#FIFAWorldCup#Qatar2022

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 29, 2022

Wales had just 26 per cent of the possession in the first half, but at least kept England at zero.

But it didn’t take long in the second half, with Marcus Rashford and then Phil Foden scoring goals within 70 seconds to put England in control.

Wales came into its first World Cup in 64 years with hopes of advancing from the group stage.

After a 1-1 draw with the US, thanks to a late penalty converted by Bale, things were looking good.

But a 2-0 loss to Iran - who were coming off a 6-2 battering to England - and then a 3-0 loss to England sees them leave Qatar as one of the biggest flops.

England’s third goal and Rashford’s second summed up Wales’ World Cup.

Gareth Bale was benched after a horror outing. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Manchester United star’s shot crashed into goalkeeper Danny Ward’s foot and through his legs.

Wales probably with one of the worst displays seen in a World Cup group stage in the last 30 years.

— Sam (@samuelJayC) November 29, 2022

One positive this World Cup at least has been the Wales fans.

Despite three lacklustre performances and not a single goal from open play, the Welsh fans haven’t stopped singing in Qatar.

They’ll be going home in the morning, and many will be happy to see the back of this World Cup.

The English fans sang Jingle Bells in the final minutes. At least Wales has Christmas to look forward to.