'I remember like it was yesterday' - Euro 2016 hero Robson-Kanu

Hal Robson-Kanu reflects on scoring his iconic goal for Wales against Belgium at Euro 2016, 10 years to the day from the quarter-final in Lille.

Ten years ago today, Hal Robson-Kanu scored one of the most memorable goals in Welsh football history, helping his side defeat Belgium 3-1 in the Euro 2016 quarter-final in Lille. Now, the former Wales international looks back on that moment with vivid clarity. The goal came in the 55th minute. Robson-Kanu received the ball with his back to goal inside the Belgian penalty area, surrounded by defenders. With a brilliant piece of skill, he feigned a turn before shifting the ball onto his right foot and firing a low shot into the far corner. The stadium erupted. "I remember it like it was yesterday," Robson-Kanu said. "I felt the defender on my back, so I shaped to go one way, then dragged it back and shot. The ball went in, and the noise was incredible. It was a moment of pure instinct." That goal put Wales 2-1 ahead, and Sam Vokes later added a third to seal a historic victory. Wales advanced to the semi-finals for the first time ever, where they lost 0-2 to Portugal. But the run captured the imagination of the football world. Robson-Kanu's career had been modest before that tournament. He played for clubs like Reading and West Bromwich Albion without ever becoming a regular starter. But his Euro 2016 heroics changed everything. "That tournament transformed my life," he recalled. "I got offers from clubs around the world and gained recognition I never had before." Now retired, Robson-Kanu remains proud of that achievement. He believes the 2016 squad's unity and belief were key. "We were a small nation but we had huge heart. That summer showed what we could achieve when we played for each other." Ten years on, Welsh football has evolved, but the memory of that goal endures. For fans, it remains a symbol of a golden era. Robson-Kanu's strike was not just a goal; it was a statement that dreams can come true.

'I remember like it was yesterday' - Euro 2016 hero Robson-Kanu

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