Gareth Bale Scores Stunning Free Kick In Wales' World Cup Qualifier

Gareth Bale rolled back the years with a picture perfect free kick for Wales, as they look to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

At this point in his career Bale is basically just a national team player, as his struggles to get into the Real Madrid team continue.

However, when he does get on the pitch for Wales, he often manages to prove why he was once considered worth making the most expensive player in the world.

On Thursday night he did just that again, as Wales faced Austria in the semi final of their World Cup qualifier play off in Cardiff.

After Harry Wilson was fouled about 20 yards out, and the commentator said 'Harry Wilson will fancy his chances here,' Bale curled the ball perfectly into the corner of the goal, leaving Austria goalkeeper Heinz Lindner no chance.

Bale has helped Real win 14 trophies since he moved from Tottenham Hotspur to the Bernabeu in 2013, and has been integral in many of them.

He's scored goals in Champions League final and Copa del Rey final victories, against Liverpool and Barcelona respectively, but still the fans haven't taken to him in recent years.

The Welshman has only been involved in five games for his club all season, and missed the loss to Barcelona last weekend with an injury, as they were tonked 4-0 at home.

That resulted in one journalist calling the 32-year-old forward a 'parasite,' in a scathing attack on his time with Los Blancos.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Bale is unlikely to care too much, and even less so if he manages to steer Wales to a first World Cup since 1958.

If Wales do go on to beat Austria then they will face either Scotland or Ukraine in the final of their 'pathway,' although that semi final has been delayed due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Topics: Football World Cup, gareth bale, Qatar, Austria, Wales, Real Madrid, La Liga