Gareth Bale slams "disgusting" Spanish critics and tells them they should be ashamed

Gareth Bale said his "disgusting" critics should be "ashamed of themselves" after coming up with the goods in Wales' World Cup qualifying play-off victory over Austria.

The Real Madrid star, who is out of contract at the end of the season, put Rob Page's side ahead with an unstoppable first-half free-kick. He added a second after the break and, despite Marcel Sabitzer giving Austria hope, the hosts held out.

The victory puts Wales within just one game of a place at the World Cup in Qatar. Their final play-off game will be against either Scotland and Ukraine, who were also due to play their play-off this week but saw the game postponed in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Bale has come in for criticism from the Spanish media, not just this season. He has barely featured for the Spanish club under Carlo Ancelotti this term, but insisted he doesn't need to say anything to those who have spoken out about him.

"No. I don't need to send a message, honestly," Bale said after the 2-1 victory." It's a waste of my time, it's just disgusting. They should also be ashamed of themselves. I'm not fussed."

Earlier, Marca had described Bale as a "parasite" as the 32-year-old continues to feature for Wales while not picking up minutes at club level. “The Bale parasite came from the cold and rainy Britannia,” the column from Manuel Julia reads.

“He settled in Spain, at Real Madrid, where, masked, he first showed diligence and love for the guest, but then his nature led him to suck blood without giving anything in return. Well, more than blood, he sucked, and sucks, the club’s euros.

“Unlike others of its kind, such as the flea, the louse or the bedbug, the Bale parasite does not cause itching or illnesses in its host, but