Late goals see

            The result was poor reward for a fine first-half performance from the hosts, but their inability to retain possession after the break eventually proved costly.The visitors' frustrations grew when Mario Mandzukic wasted a fine chance by firing high and wide having been freed by Eduardo's lofted pass. Wales should have taken advantage of Croatia's failure to take their opportunities, but they spurned their own chances to increase their lead and surprisingly Bale was at fault.Bale was inevitably at the centre of their best moments and as early as the sixth minute went ghosting past Luka Modric before being unceremoniously hauled down by Vedran Corluka, who earned a booking for his trouble.Hal Robson-Kanu broke away down the left and pulled the ball back for Bale on the edge of the box, but Stipe Pletikosa got down low to parry the Tottenham winger's effort. An even better chance arrived moments later, Bale this time spooned over the bar after Robson-Kanu had brilliantly switched play having robbed Darijo Srna of possession.It was part of a sharp start by the hosts. But it was not without its scares against a Croatia side setting the pace at the top of the group with Belgium. Boaz Myhill had to push an Eduardo header off the line from the resulting corner and Wales got the reward for their resilience on 20 minutes.After the break, Eduardo wasted another presentable chance after James Collins had got underneath a Modric corner, the striker heading wide at the far post with no defenders near him. Myhill did brilliantly to acrobatically tip Srna's shot over the bar after it had taken a deflection right in front of him on the hour. Ledley exchanged passes with Jonathan Williams to burst into the box, where he was tripped as he surged past Lovren. Bale took the resulting spot-kick and calmly slotted it down the middle for his 12th goal in 13 games for club and country.