Wales’ Euro 2016 quarter-final against Belgium on Friday is their biggest match since the 1958 World Cup, according to manager Chris Coleman.
Wales have not reached a major finals since they were beaten by Brazil in the last eight 58 years ago.
Ranked 26th in the world, Coleman’s team takes on a side 24 places above them – with a semi-final in Lyon on 6 July the reward for the winner.
“We know what’s at stake – it’s a fantastic pressure to have,” he said.
“Since that 1958 quarter-final, we have to put this down as the biggest game our country’s ever been involved in.
“People have already said: ‘Wales can’t lose, they weren’t meant to get to the quarter-final, they’re the underdogs.’ This definitely isn’t the way we see it.”
Wales are in the habit of defying the odds as a team whose unity – and sprinkling of star quality in the form of Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey – compensates for a squad lacking the strength in depth of their illustrious opponents.
