By Chris O'Brien
May 22 2006

Ryan Giggs scored the only goal of the game as Wales battled to a 1-0 win against the Basque Nation. It was the first time the Manchester United skipper has appeared for his country in an away friendly.

Ryan Giggs netted a late stunner to give Wales a 1-0 victory over a plucky 'Basque XI' side in Bilbao.

Amazingly, It was Giggs' first away friendly for the Welsh and he marked the occasion with a fantastic solo goal which spared John Toshack's blushes. The United winger poked the ball home after a mazy run that stretched the length of the field.

Basque 'XI' are not recognised as a member of FIFA or UEFA and do not compete in international tournaments, yet they are a passionate lot who had only previously lost once in their last thirteen fixtures. Coach José Ángel Iribar Cortajarena selects homegrown players from Bilbao, Alaves, Sociedad and Champions League qualifiers Osasuna.

The hosts were better for most of the first-half as Wales struggled to get a clear grip of the game. Julen Guerrero and Joseba Etxeberria had the best chances of the opening 45 minutes, but some battling defending from 17-year-old Lewin Nyatanga kept the scorelines level.

Wales grew in confidence as the game progressed and began to create chances of their own. Craig Bellamy was particularly threatening with Robert Earnshaw showing glimpses of good form. However, the night belonged to skipper Giggs as the veteran ran the entire length of the pitch to score a magnificent striker.

The Basques may well feel hard done by at defeat, but escaped giving away a late penalty with Bristol City's David Cotterill clearly pulled down in the penalty area.

Full Time - Basque XI 0-1 Wales

Basque XI: Inaki Lafuente (Bilbao), Edu Alonso (Alaves), Aitor Lopez Rekarte (Sociedad), Ivan Campo (Bolton), Mikel Labaka (Sociedad), Patxi Punal (Osasuna), Xabi Prieto (Sociedad), Julen Guerrero (Bilbao, capt), Joseba Etxeberria (Bilbao), Mikel Alonso (Sociedad), Igor Gabilondo (Sociedad).
Substitutes: Asier Riesgo (Sociedad), Josu Sarriegi (Alaves), Inaki Munoz (Osasuna), Javi Garrido (Sociedad), Fernando Llorente (Bilbao).

Wales: Paul Jones (QPR), Joe Ledley (Cardiff), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham), James Collins (West Ham), Carl Robinson (Norwich), Carl Fletcher (West Ham), Craig Bellamy (Blackburn), Rob Earnshaw (Norwich), Simon Davies (Everton), Ryan Giggs (Man Utd, capt).
Substitutes: David Partridge (Bristol City), Andrew Crofts (Gillingham), David Vaughan (Crewe), David Cotterill (Bristol City), Gareth Bale (Southampton), Craig Davies (Verona), Lewis Price (Ipswich).