Re-watching Gareth Bale’s iconic hat-trick vs Inter Milan 12 years ago today
The official Twitter handle of the UEFA Champions League posted a video that bought back very fond memories for Tottenham Hotspur fans around the world.
It was 12 years ago today when a young Gareth Bale scored ‘that’ iconic hat-trick against Inter Milan at San Siro and in the process announced himself to the world.
Spurs found themselves 4-0 down in the first-half in group stage match during the 2010/11 Champions League season, with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes getting sent-off just eight minutes into the game.
https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1583019727051714560?s=20&t=ZCWWu_HOz7m1tgtPwsFF9g
However, it was the second half that surprised the football world. Bale scored his first of the night with a dashing run from his own half and piercing through the Inter defence that consisted of players like Maicon and Lucio.
The left-winger would then again score with his golden left foot by beating the keeper Julio Cesar and then complete his hat-trick with another left-foot finish from the penalty spot. The game ended 4-3 in favour of the home side, but it was Bale who took the headlines.
Bale had established himself as one of the best up-and-coming wingers. Two years later in 2013, Real Madrid would come knocking and swoop the Wales international to Spain. There he would go on to establish himself as one of the best, winning five Champions League trophies and even scoring that beautiful overhead kick against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final.
After falling down the pecking order at Los Blancos, the 33-year-old would return to north London for a season-long loan spell during the 2020/21 season. A legend at both Tottenham and Madrid, he joined MLS side Los Angeles Football Club this summer for a free transfer.
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Seeing the video brings back very fond memories as a Tottenham fan. We can only hope that someone of either Harry Kane or Son Heung-min can create a similar moment as the Welsh wizard did twelve years ago.
