Welsh striker and star player Gareth Bale says Wales have a psychological advantage over their quarter-final opponents tonight having beaten them in the tournament's qualifiers last year
Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates a goal during a Group B match against Russia in Toulouse, France last month
Lille (France): Gareth Bale feels Wales could have a psychological advantage over quarter-final opponents Belgium after beating them in qualifying.
Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates a goal during a Group B match against Russia in Toulouse, France last month. Pic/Getty Images
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Wales are unbeaten in their last three games against the star-studded Red Devils, and won their last meeting 12 months ago when Bale scored the winner in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Cardiff.
"We're like their bogey team, aren't we?" said Bale, referring to that 1-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium and two previous draws in Brussels.
"Hopefully that edge gets into their heads — you never know.
"We will definitely draw on those qualifiers, it gives us more knowledge on them.
"We know how to play against them and how they play.
"We know it will be a different game from the qualifiers and it is a more pressurised situation.
"But we understand what they are about, how they work, and we will hone our game plan to try and stop them but help our attack."
Wales are the last home nation left in the tournament after beating Northern Ireland in the last 16 and witnessing England's elimination to Iceland on Monday night.
But Bale insists that Wales are determined to extend an adventure which has already seen them emulate the 1958 side, which reached the quarter-final of the World Cup before losing to Brazil.
"We have done well and the country is proud of us even if we do get knocked out," said Bale.
"But we want to keep going, we want to keep riding this wave.
"We want to go as far as we can and try to win the tournament.
"We understand the position we are in and everything else goes to the back of our mind. It is all about trying to beat Belgium and getting to the semis."
17
Number of goals scored by Wales against Belgium in 12 matches
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