Wales 2-1 Slovakia, Euro 2016 RESULT: Gareth Bale and Hal Robson-Kanu on target as Chris Coleman's side seal victory

Hal Robson-Kanu came off the bench to win the match for Wales in an action-packed Group B opener.

Gareth Bale scored a stunning free-kick for Wales however his side could not hang on in their first match at a major tournament since 1958.

The Real Madrid man struck from long range before substitute Ondrej Duda came off the bench to level the scoreline, however Robson-Kanu won the match for Wales. 

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The waiting is over. England face Russia in the opening game of their Euro 2016 campaign in Marseille on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson is set to employ an untried system for the game at Stade Velodrome, with Wayne Rooney taking up a deeper role in midfield, allowing Dele Alli to support Harry Kane in attack.

Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling are also expected to start the tie, as England go in search of their first ever opening-game win at a European Championship.

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The celebrations can begin - Wales have won after producing a spirited performance in this Group B opener. It looked like they'd take home a point after Gareth Bale's opener was cancelled out by Ondrej Duda. 

90+3min: It's all Slovakia at the moment - Wales are pegged back in their own half. Just over 30 seconds to play... 

90+2 min: Deserved booking for Slovakia - the Liverpool defender goes flying in with a challenge and is fortunate he didn't connect with Davies. Could have been nasty, that. 

89 min: Opportunity for Mak after Gunter's weak clearance falls to his feet - but he smashes the ball high over the goal. 

88 min: Ashley Williams has been rock-solid in defence today and once again, he comes to Wales' rescue to clear the danger. Down the other end, Bale breaks and with Kanu as support, the former Tottenham man decides to shoot but it's straight at Kozacik. 

Aaron Ramsey, who just missed a glorious chance to score Wales' third, is replaced by defender Jazz Richards. Two minutes to get through plus added time. 

85 min: This game certainly isn't over... Slovakia have just hit the post.

Stoch comes on for Weiss. 

Slightly fortunate goal but Wales won't mind - they have the lead again and it's Hal Robson-Kanu who scores their second. Aaron Ramsey was heavily involved after Joe Ledley played him in with a wonderful defence-splitting pass. The Arsenal man looked like he had lost the ball but played it into Kanu whose mis-hit shot trickles in. The noise is slightly louder in France now... 

79 min: Bale lets fly with a speculative free-kick but this time Kozacik holds his position and he's able to collect the ball easily. Plenty of silly challenges on show today - Weiss is the third Slovakia player to be booked.  

76 min: Much to the amusement of Wales fans, Skrtel goes down with cramp - but less than a minute later he is back on his feet... The Liverpool defender has certainly been involved today. Mak has just been booked. 

75 min: Bale sees an opportunity to play in Ledley but puts too much on the pass and Slovakia can regroup from the goal kick. Hair-raising atmosphere at the Stade de Bordeuax as the Welsh national anthem echoes around the stadium. 

72 min: What an opportunity! Robson-Kanu, who has just come on, delivers a wonderful cross and Ramsey should be heading that into the back of net. Unfortunately for Wales, though, the Arsenal man jumps too early and sends his header over the bar. 

71 min: Wales have to change the balance of this game; Slovakia are dominant at the moment and look the likelier of the two teams to score a second... Apart from his goal, Bale has yet to turn up today. 

Hal Robson-Kanu replaces the excellent Jonny Williams. He can be very proud of his performance this evening. 

Joe Ledley comes on to replace David Edwards.

66 min: Slovakia are buoyant at the moment - they're dominating possession and can sense a nervous Wales goalkeeper in Ward. Joe Ledley coming on for Wales. 

64 min: Nervy moment for Ward but the goalkeeper is able to breathe a sigh of relief when Chester mops up the loose ball. Wales on the back foot for the first time in this match - will be interesting to see how they cope... 

Out of nothing, Duda makes the perfect impact by levelling the score. Mak does excellently to shrug off Ramsey's attempted challenge and he plays in the substitute who guides his shot past Ward to equalise. Game on. 

Double change for Slovakia as Duda and Nemec come on for Duris and Hrosovsky. 

58 min: Williams has just been penalised for a foul despite winning the ball. Feel for the Crystal Palace man this evening - he's been unfortunate with many of the referee's decisions today. 

56 min: A worry for Wales as Edwards stays down on the pitch but he eventually gets up. Meanwhile, Bale has just gone close with a header but Kozacik beats the ball away off his line. 

54 min: Best chance of the half and it falls to Slovakia's Mak. He's on his unfavoured left foot and fires his shot over Ward's crossbar - but that's a warning for Wales. 

52 min: Tremendous play from midfield maestro Jonny Williams who wins a free-kick after showing great composure to beat two opponents. 

50 min: Ramsey whips in a corner but Kozacik comes flying out to collect them ball with Bale waiting for it to drop. 

48 min: Slow start to this half - not much going on at the moment. But Wales' win themselves a free-kick and have possession in defence. What a win this would be for Chris Coleman's side should they retain this lead. 

46 min: Jonny Williams has made a bright start to this half - but his pass is played behind Ramsey and Slovakia are able to regroup. 

The half-time whistle is blown and that was the perfect 45 minutes for Wales - and what a great all-round performance we just witnessed. After Ben Davies' produced a goal-saving sliding challenge, Gareth Bale, as he does so often, pops up with the opener.

Jonny Williams has been exceptional for Wales and was unfortunate not to be rewarded with a penalty when he was bundled over by Martin Skrtel. But Chris Coleman will be delighted with the first half.

44 min: Weiss sends in a teasing delivery from the corner but a combined effort of Bale and Ward clear the danger. But when Slovakia retrieve the ball, Skrtel is almost clear in but he can't connect to the long ball. 

Odd that the big screens in the stadium are replaying incidents, even controversial ones. The fans are reacting loudly and it must be an influence on referee Oddvar Moen. 

42 min: It's that man Weiss - who was never given a proper chance to break into Manchester City's first-team - who is looking the most dangerous for Slovakia. He shows neat footwork to send in a cross but Ward is able to fetch the ball via a slight deflection. 

40 min: Minor scare for Wales as Hamsik almost creates a shooting opportunity for himself but Ashley Williams and Co stand firm in defence. The Swansea captain, as he does so often, positions himself perfectly to block a shot - but Slovakia are beginning to look dangerous. 

39 min: Ward, who was handed a start after Hennessey was ruled out, has had little to do so far. He'll be hoping for more of the same in the next 50 minutes or so... Meanwhile, the Liverpool supporters boo Skrtel every time the defender receives the ball. 

38 min: Wales have seen plenty of the ball own the right flank and this time it's Ramsey who is able to send a cross in - but the Arsenal man puts far too much on it. 

36 min: Slovakia have had 54 per cent possession at the moment but little to show for it... Skrtel sends it long but Duris is penalised for fouling Wales captain Williams. Slovakia have given plenty of fouls away in this opening half... 

33 min: Slovakia are struggling at the moment. Hamsik hasn't controlled the game while Weiss is also yet to showcase his ability. And their lack of end product almost proves costly as Wales break but Taylor's backwards header is defended well.

31 min: Blatant penalty for Wales but the referee - and his assistants - fail to spot the foul on Jonny Williams. The Crystal Palace man vies for the ball in the box with Skrtel and the Liverpool defender barges Williams off the pitch - using his elbows - but nothing is given... 

30 min: We know all about Wales' attacking prowess but defensively they're a unit too and they've coped well so far. Meanwhile Hrosovsky goes into the book for a foul on Jonny Williams - a tad harsh that as it looks like he won the ball. 

28 min: Wales are still looking comfortable and currently have possession deep into Slovakia's half. Bale is running his socks off as his team's lone man - while Ramsey and Williams are supporting the Real Madrid star on the flanks. 

26 min: Slovakia fans vent their anger after seeing their main man Hamsik on the receiving end of Taylor's heavy challenge. The Napoli man eventually gets up and play resumes. 

23 min: Comes to nothing - although Wales soon attack Slovakia's goal. Gunter finds some space down the right flank but his inswinging delivery curls out of play. 

22 min: Durica is all over Bale and the Real Madrid forward is awarded the free-kick. 

21 min: Apart from that opening scare, we're yet to see the best of Hamsik. But the Napoli man has just won a free-kick for his team after Allen fouled him. Looks too far for the shot and it is - Kucka blazes over. 

19 min: Weiss, the former Manchester City man, lets loose with a speculative effort but Ward is able to watch it fly over his crossbar - and the Wales fans sarcastically applause the shot. Chris Coleman's men looking comfortable at the moment. 

18 min: Davies, Wales' hero in the opening minutes of this match, wins a free-kick and Chris Coleman's side are able to attack. Williams, the Palace playmaker, has an opportunity to surge forward but decides to play the ball back. 

Here's a few pictures of THAT opener from Bale: 

Gareth Bale backs up his words to us by hitting a beauty of a free-kick, even if the goalkeeper’s positioning should be questioned. Terrific scenes with Bale running straight to the bench to celebrate and emit a roar from within the huddle. Chris Coleman simply turned to the fans and pumped both his fists over and over. 

15 min: After taking the lead, Wales haven't slowed down their lightening start to this Group B opener. Joe Allen has made an impressive start to this match and is spreading the ball around nicely. Slovakia with possession at the moment. 

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT? Well you better - Wales have opened the scoring and it's that man Gareth Bale.

Jonny Williams, who had made an impressive start to this match, wins a free-kick on the edge of Slovakia's penalty area and the Real Madrid superstar comes up with the goods. Bale steps up, goalkeeper Kozacik is wrong-footed and it hits the back of the net.

Stade de Bordeuax is rocking...

7 min: Ramsey delivers a free-kick and Allen almost has the chance to direct a shot on target. The Liverpool midfielder fortunately sees the ball fall to his feet in the box but he's unable to bring it down and is eventually crowded out. 

5 min: After that scare, Wales have settled down slightly but they're wasting possession at the moment. Allen spreads the play nicely to play in Gunter - and Wales win a throw-in deep in Slovakia's half. 

2 min: Tremendous defender from Ben Davies - he's saved Wales there! Hamsik looked certain to score and with Ward beaten, the defender slides in on the line to turn the ball away for a corner. Goal-saving challange that 

1 min: Bright start from Wales. It looks like Jonny Williams will play down the right flank with Aaron Ramsey down the left and Gareth Bale through the middle. A lot will rely on how those three perform... 

The routine pre-match national anthems have been sung and the players have now stripped to their kits ahead of this crunch Euro 2016 match. Very excited for this one... 

The players make their way out on to the pitch - kick-off is minutes away... 

Wales have won the battle between fans, with a sea of red dwarfing the Slovakian numbers. The real contest will be much tighter.

Chris Coleman, seemingly unsatisfied by Sam Vokes’ display against Sweden, has opted to play Gareth Bale up front with Jonny Williams, who has done well in recent internationals, at one of two No 10s alongside Aaron Ramsey.

David Edwards’ inclusion may be a surprise ahead of Andy King but he was playing in that role during the practice match earlier this week in training and offers more defensive protection.

Contrary to popular belief, Wales have already been part of significant history in major tournament football. When they lost to Brazil in their last finals appearance at the 1958 World Cup, a 17-year-old centre forward called Pele scored his first international goal.

Here in south-west France manager Chris Coleman's team begin their attempt to make memories of their own — and none can say they have not waited long enough.

Many noted Welsh players have gaps in their c.v. when it comes to these occasions — including Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush, John Toshack, Neville Southall and Mark Hughes.

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Gareth Bale, Wales star man, takes part in the pre-match warm-up ahead of this crunch European Championship Group B match. Have a feeling he'll be involved a lot this afternoon... 

Ashley Williams has given an insight into the passionate team-talks delivered by Chris Coleman in the minutes before kick-off that leave the Wales players feeling ready to head into battle.

The Wales captain revealed Coleman sometimes uses videos showing highlights of past games or messages from supporters to inspire his team.

Whatever he does say comes from the heart, Williams feels, to convey the importance of every encounter and aiding the visualisation process.

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Euro 2016's third game will be played at the Stade de Bordeaux.

The stadium was only opened in 2015 after a long construction process hindered by lawsuits put into place by local citizens. While it was set to be completed by late 2014, it took until May 2015 for the first league game to take place. 

During Euro 2016 the stadium is set to host four group matches and one quarter final, with the game between Wales and Slovakia the first to be held there in this summer's competition. 

LAURIE WHITWELL: Gareth Bale has provided an explosive start to Euro 2016 by calling England 'the enemy' and claiming they 'big themselves up before they've done anything'.

The Real Madrid star delivered his withering criticism as England prepared to face Russia on Saturday a few hours after Bale's Wales side kick off their Group B opener against Slovakia.

And with Wales meeting England in Lens on Thursday, Bale has fuelled what was already due to be a fierce encounter by claiming his nation have 'more passion and pride' than Roy Hodgson's side.

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Wales and Slovakia have only met each other twice in their entire respective histories.

However, both of those contests were thrillingly entertaining, with 13 goals across the two games from both sides.

Neutral supporters will be hoping for a similar outcome on Saturday in what is Wales's first game at a European Championship. 

Wales: Ward, Chester, Ashley Williams, Davies, Gunter, Allen, Edwards, Ramsey, Taylor, Jonathan Williams, Bale

Subs: Hennessey, King, Robson-Kanu, George Williams, Richards, Ledley, Cotterill, Vokes, Collins, Vaughan, Church, Fon Williams

Slovakia: Kozacik, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Svento, Kucka, Hrosovsky, Hamsik, Mak, Duris, Weiss

Subs: Mucha, Gyomber, Gregus, Duda, Sestak, Stoch, Nemec, Skriniar, Hubocan, Salata, Pecovsky, Novota.

Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)

Chris Coleman speaking to BBC: 'I tell them to save it. Take a look around and see the Welsh fans. We've taken incredible support throughout the qualifying campaign.

'I want my players to look at them. If you can't enjoy something like this then you're in the wrong industry.'

Huge loss for Wales as Wayne Hennessey misses out and Danny Ward, Liverpool's goalkeeper, comes in for his first start. Crystal Palace playmaker Jonny Williams also starts. 

Starting XI: Kozacik, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Weiss, Hrosovsky, Hamsik, Svento, Kucka, Mak, Duris 

Ward; Gunter, Chester, A Williams, Davies, Taylor; Edwards, Allen, Ramsey, J Williams; Bale

Thanks Anthony - Matt here to keep you entertained with all the build-up now before we get under way in just under an hour. Team news coming your way - and we're hearing Danny Ward is set to make his first start for Wales with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey injured. 

Ashley Williams appears to be a big fan of Chris Coleman - with the Wales captain lauding his manager ahead of today's clash. 

‘He is emotional,’ said the Swansea defender. ‘He is a good motivator. That is the main thing. By the time you leave the changing room door you are ready to go into battle really.

‘He sets up the scene most times, whether it is the meeting in the hotel on the day of the game or the one just before we go out. His meetings are very good. You can tell they are from the heart.'

Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Co soaked in the atmosphere earlier today to get a feel of Bordeaux before taking to the stadium. 

They were smiling during their trip around the city. Let's hope that is the case after the final whistle. 

Star man Gareth Bale has arrived at the stadium ahead of this evening's match. 

He looks in high spirits along with his team-mates. Hennessey, who could miss the game through injury, is on the pitch.

Team news will be in shortly. 

Fancy a flutter? Here's the odds for this evening's match between Wales and Slovakia. 

ODDS

Wales (25/12)

Draw (39/19)

Slovakia (19/10)

Slovakia will be no easy ride for Wales tonight. Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel will captain Wales' opponents while Marek Hamsik will be the man given the task of taking the game to Chris Coleman's side.

Hamsik, who has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League, has been one of the star players in Italy for the last few years with the Napoli man scoring 21 goals during the past two seasons. 

All eyes will be on Gareth Bale today as the Real Madrid man is likely to take centre stage in Bordeaux. 

Former Wales international Gareth Bale has lavished praise on the 26-year-old by insisting he adds a sprinkle of stardom to Chris Coleman's set-up. 

Savage, speaking on the BBC ahead of Wales' match, said: 'If half this team walked down the road in Britain, a lot of people wouldn't know who they were. Gareth Bale adds a splash of stardom.'

Rumours are surfacing that Wayne Hennessey has suffered a back injury overnight and is set to miss the Slovakia game in a major blow to Wales.

Should the undisputed No 1 not make it Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward will start his first match for Wales. 

Today marks a proud day for Welsh fans as The Dragons will take part in their first ever European Championship finals match. 

Slovakia will be their opponents and Bordeaux is the location for the opening Group B match. 

Remember, England take on Russia in the other group game which takes place at 8pm (BST) later tonight. Wales and England then go head-to-head on Thursday in Lens.