Gareth Bale Breaks Wales Goalscoring Record with Hat-Trick Against China

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has become Wales' all-time record goalscorer after netting a hat-trick against China in Ryan Giggs' first game in charge. 

The 28-year-old overtook Ian Rush at the top of the chart with his 27th, 28th and 29th goals for Wales during a routine 6-0 win for the Welsh national team in the China Cup semi-final.

All three goals were good finishes from Bale, who will go down as one of the nation's greatest players following his record-breaking goal haul—and his exploits during Euro 2016.

"It is a massive honour and achievement for me," Bale told BBC Sport Wales. "I suppose when I was a little boy I never dreamed of being a record-breaker for Wales. But now it has come it's an incredible honour and one of the best things I've achieved in my career."

Bale made his debut for Wales in May 2006, coming off the bench in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago to become the youngest-ever Wales international, at 16 years and 315 days. That record has since been surpassed by Harry Wilson in November 2012.

And the Welshman broke another record just over a year later, becoming the nation's youngest goalscorer when he scored a direct free-kick in a Euro 2008 qualifying match against Slovakia in October 2006. 

But the highlight of his illustrious Wales career so far was undoubtedly the run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France, in which Bale played a key role. After Wales qualified for their first major tournament since 1958, Bale scored in all three group-stage matches—including a long-range free-kick against England—and was instrumental in the famous 3-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-final.

Bale's three goals in China could provide a confidence boost when he returns to club football with Real Madrid. His side may be out of the title race—trailing Barcelona by 15 points—but they play Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals at the beginning of April. 

On a personal level, Bale had only netted three times in his last 12 appearances in all competitions for Real prior to joining up with his Wales team-mates. Consequently this hat-trick, and the record that comes with it, could help the 28-year-old maintain form in what has been another injury-hit season.

Not that Bale will be thinking about Real just yet, with another international friendly coming up on Monday in the China Cup final, to be played against the winner of Czech Republic vs. Uruguay.

Wales may have failed to make this summer's World Cup, but following their thumping victory in China Bale and the Welsh national team will be hopeful of a successful European Championships qualification campaign under Giggs.