In the match that saw Chris Gunter become their most-capped player, Wales’ 6-0 tonking of China in the opening match of the 2018 China Cup also saw Gareth Bale set a new international record of his very own.
Indeed, Bale’s first two goals of the game drew him level with Ian Rush as Wales’ joint all-time top scorer (28) before goal number three took him out in front on his lonesome (29).
The hat-trick was completed in the 62nd minute when the Real Madrid forward raced into the channel and slotted home the sixth and final goal of the afternoon before being immediately substituted…
That marks Bale’s first ever international hat-trick and Wales’ first in 14 years – specifically, since Robert Earnshaw managed the same feat against Scotland back in 2004.
Not bad for a player who only scored two goals in his first 26 caps. He now has 69 caps and 29 goals all in, meaning 27 of those goals have come in his last 43 appearances.
That’s some mightily impressive cracking-on.