Gareth Bale scored Wales' third goal as they claimed top spot in Group B ©Getty Images

Wales surged to the summit of Group B with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Russia as rivals England were held to a bore 0-0 draw with Slovakia at the 2016 UEFA European Championships in France.

Goals from Aaron Ramsey, Neil Taylor and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale guided Wales to the top of the group as they swept aside a hapless Russian outfit in Toulouse to qualify in first place ahead of their Home Nations rivals.

England manager Roy Hodgson’s decision to rest six players, including captain Wayne Rooney, seemed to have backfired as his team were unable to break down a stern Slovakian defence in Saint-Étienne.

They created little during the contest although Leicester striker Jamie Vardy was guilty of missing a golden opportunity in the first half, firing his shot straight at Slovakian goalkeeper after he was cleverly released by Jordan Henderson.

But the night belonged to Wales, who tore apart the Russian defence at will on their way to a memorable triumph which should hand them an easier last 16 encounter.

Chris Coleman’s team, whose victory guided them to a first appearance in the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, will now face the third-placed team in either Group A, C or D.

England were unable to break down a sterm Slovakian defence as they were held to a 0-0 draw
England were unable to break down a sterm Slovakian defence as they were held to a 0-0 draw ©Getty Images

They started on the front foot in their crunch clash with Russia and took the lead after 11 minutes when Joe Allen freed Aaron Ramsey, who calmly lifted the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev to put his side in front.

The considerable Welsh contingent inside the Stadium Municipal were in dreamland nine minutes later as Swansea left-back Taylor fired home past Akinfeev after the Russia goalkeeper had thwarted his first attempt.

Bale, who had scored in each of Wales’ first two group games, then got in on the act just after the hour as he notched his third goal of the tournament to become the competition’s top scorer.

Wales were then able to comfortably see out a win on a night which will go down as one of the greatest in their footballing history, usurping England at the top of the group despite defeat to their closest rivals last Thursday (June 16).

England put in their worst display of Euro 2016 so far but were still able to squeeze through to the knockout stages, where they will go up against whoever finishes second in Group F - either Portugal, Hungary, Austria or Iceland.