Gareth Bale scored stunning free-kick for Wales vs Austria in World Cup play-off | OneFootball

The 2021/22 season has been a real struggle for Gareth Bale at Real Madrid.

He’s barely played any football at all after impressing in fits and bursts on loan at Tottenham Hotspur last campaign.

But while Bale isn’t trusted whatsoever by Carlo Ancelotti and his staff, the ponytailed forward is still Wales’ main man.

And he showed exactly why that remains the case on Thursday evening.

In Wales’ much-anticipated World Cup play-off semi-final against Austria, Bale sparked scenes of pandemonium in Cardiff with a truly outstanding free-kick in the first half.

From around 25 yards out, the left-footed genius took aim and rifled the ball into the top corner using the famous knuckleball technique.

It really was pure perfection from Bale and you can enjoy the free-kick in all of its glory below.

Video: Bale’s stunning free-kick vs Austria

Stop that, Gareth! The deafening noise inside the Cardiff City Stadium as soon as Wales’ captain rippled the back of the net was something to behold as well.

The set-piece in the video above is a true work of art and a timely reminder that while Bale isn’t quite the destructive, free-scoring player he used to be, the Welsh superstar is still bloody good when he puts his mind to it.

In fact, he’s world-class on his day even now and don’t let anybody tell you different. Yes, that includes the Madrid media, who seem to hammer the four-time Champions League winner on virtually a weekly basis for no real reason at all.

Bale’s free-kick goal against Austria was his seventh in Wales’ colours and the first he’s scored since the country’s match against England in the group stage of Euro 2016.

The 32-year-old then added another wonder-goal to his enormous collection early in the second half against Austria.

From a Wales corner routine, Bale collected the ball inside the box and stylishly fired it into the far corner on the half volley.

Check out the second moment of magic from the Real Madrid man here…