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PARIS. — With an expert swish of his left foot, Gareth Bale demonstrated against Northern Ireland that even when he does not shine, he can decide matches for Wales at Euro 2016 soccer finals.

The Real Madrid star, the tournament’s joint-top scorer with three goals, was shackled for much of Saturday’s last 16 game in Paris, mustering a single shot on target with a second-half free-kick.

But with 15 minutes remaining, his wicked, low cross from the left forced Northern Irish defender Gareth McAuley to prod the ball into his own net, sending Wales into a quarter-final against Belgium or Hungary.

“One quality delivery from a world-class player was the difference between the two sides,” said former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage, analysing the game for the BBC. — AFP.