Ryan Giggs hailed Gareth Bale for becoming Wales’ record goalscorer after the Real Madrid forward’s hat-trick against China got his managerial reign off to the perfect start.

Wales’ biggest win since a similar 6-0 success over San Marino in 1996 saw them through to the China Cup final against the Czech Republic or Uruguay on Monday.

Bale’s maiden international hat-trick – and the first by a Wales player since Robert Earnshaw against Scotland 14 years ago – took him to 29 goals from 69 appearances.

It moved him one above former Liverpool striker Ian Rush, who scored his 28 goals from 73 games during a Wales career lasting from 1980 to 1996.

“It is a tremendous achievement for Gareth, to be the top goalscorer in front of someone like Ian Rush – a legendary goalscorer and probably one of the best I have ever seen,” Giggs said.

“Probably once upon a time it was a record that many people thought would not get beaten.

“But Gareth has not only beat it, he will carry on scoring as he is a tremendous talent.

“It’s a fantastic moment for Gareth, he fully deserves it.”