It was an auspicious major-tournament debut for the Dragons, who beat the Slovaks 2-1. Wales needed to weather a Slovakian comeback and seemed to get a boost from supporters who rarely stopped singing over 90 minutes.
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Wales, led by Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, were making their first-ever appearance in a major tournament, while Slovakia had handed no less a team than Spain a loss during Euro 2016 qualifying. So their Group B clash in Bordeaux was hard to predict.
Wales were forced to start with backup goalkeeper Danny Ward, after Wayne Hennessey ruled himself out with a sore back, and they were caught on the back foot immediately after the opening whistle. Slovak attacking star Marek Hamsik nipped the ball from Bale and skipped past multiple defenders. His hard, low shot had Ward beaten, but Ben Davies just got a foot to the ball.
That would be the last time Ward's goal would come under threat in the first half. Only four minutes later, Bale wrong-footed Slovak keeper Matus Kozacik with a dipping free kick to put the Euro debutantes on the board.
Wales were good for their lead and had a shout for a penalty in minute 32 when Martin Skrtel elbowed Jonathan Williams in the box. But the whistle never came, and it remained 1-0 at the break.
Bale put Wales ahead early with a nasty, dipping set pieceImage: Reuters/R. Duvignau
Wales' dominance continued after the restart as Slovakia's midfield was unable to provide Hamsik with any service. On the hour mark coach Jan Kozak made a pair of offensive substitutions, and they paid off. 21-year-old Legia Warsaw midfielder Ondrej Duda, the youngest member of Slovak team, leveled the score with a cool finish from 12 metres.
The goal revived the Slovakian team, which features players from seven different European leagues, and they began to keep more and more possession. Meanwhile Wales had a good chance in minute 72, but a wide-open Aaron Ramsey couldn't get his header down to the target.
Wales fans were in full voice, and that seemed to give the Dragons a late lift. With ten minutes to go, Ramsey made his way into the middle of the penalty area and directed the ball to Hal Robson-Kanu, also a substitute, who poked it just beyond Kozacik.
Adam Nemec hit the aluminum with a close-range header in minute 85, but that was as close as Slovakia would come. The Welsh rode out a 2-1 victory to open their history at major tournaments in style.
Slovakia will seek to bounce back against Russia on Wednesday in Lille. Wales face an emotionally charged match against fellow Britons England the following day in Lens.
Euro 2016 preview: Group B
England's perfect record in the group stages make them clear favorites to advance to the knockout stages. Otherwise, Group B appears wide open, and a superstar or two may decide who makes it through.
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From poor results to perfection
If teams were ranked on their form going in to the competition, England would be top of the pile, such is the consistency and professionalism they've shown in qualifying. Not only a did they win all 10 of their qualifying games, but they also notched a friendly win over Germany, suggesting Roy Hodgson's side may be dark horses this summer.
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Tournament success has eluded England
Despite winning the World Cup in 1966, the England national team has largely under performed at European Championships. Aside from a third-placed finish in 1968 and elimination in the semifinals in 1996 the country has had very little to shout about in this competition.
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Roy Hodgson, the reformer
England managers, these days, are like endangered species. The likes of Steve McClaren and Sven-Göran Eriksson were consigned to the dust bin quickly after their respective failures. Hodgson, though, leads the Three Lions into his third major tournament since replacing Fabio Capello.
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The battle of Great Britain
An intriguing feature of group B is the coming clash between England and Wales on matchday two which has been dubbed the "Battle of Britain". The countries lock horns regularly in Rugby Union, but their last competitive meeting on a football pitch was during 2006 World Cup qualifying.
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Wales finally have a superstar
John Charles. Ian Rush. Mark Hughes. Ryan Giggs. Gareth Bale. The Real Madrid man, now a two-time Champions League winner, sits comfortably among the top Welsh players ever. Bale, 26, scored eight goals in qualification and dragged the Welsh to the finals. If he stays fit, he has the quality to take his country beyond the group phase.
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The Welsh are coming! The Welsh are coming!
For the first time in their footballing history, Wales will play at the European Championship finals. Chris Coleman's side have ascended the FIFA rankings in recent years, making the most of a talented generation which includes Bale and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey. They certainly won't just be there for a party.
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The naturalized Neustädter
Though born in the Soviet Union, Roman Neustädter will be the first naturalized player to play for Russia in a major tournament. The Russians, hosts of the 2018 World Cup, are lacking in players who play at the highest level. Aside from Neustädter, the Russia squad is made up of domestic-based players.
If second place will be up-for-grabs, then Slovakia have a great chance. Slovakia qualified for their first European championship since the split of Czechoslovakia in 1992. Czechoslovakia won the Euros in 1976 and came runners-up in two World Cups.
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Hopes hang on Hamsik
Slovakia's only genuine outstanding player is Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik. The 28-year-old has made over 300 appearances for the club, and is captain for his national team. The classy midfielder has been likened to former Czech and Juventus legend Pavel Nedved.
