Aaron Ramsey felt Wales had sent a message across Europe after their devastating 3-0 demolition of Russia.
The Arsenal midfielder revealed the squad had wanted to wake up Euro 2016 to the true quality of their talents in their final Group B match in Toulouse on Monday night.
Ramsey felt the 2-1 victory over Slovakia and defeat against England by the same scoreline had only presented certain aspects of the team’s capability.
Against the Russians, Wales put on arguably the finest performance in their history to top the group and emerge as the leading scorers in the tournament, with six goals, and hosting the leader scorer in Gareth Bale, who has three.
“We wanted to make a statement, putting Welsh football on the map, to show what we are capable of doing and I think we have done that,” said Ramsey.
“We have shown that we are a good defensive team, but also what a good team we are in possession as well. We created loads of opportunities and can be proud of what we have achieved so far.
“Against England [a 2-1 loss] the occasion maybe got to us, in possession. Tonight that was what we wanted to work on the most and we passed it tremendously well. We could have scored maybe more in the end.
“Overall, fantastic performance. We topped the group, which nobody probably would have seen coming. Our main target was to get out of the group.”
Needing at least a draw, Wales overwhelmed the Russians and had the scoreline been doubled it might have reflected more fully the dominance of Chris Coleman’s side.
It was the type and quality of tournament display that had it been produced by Spain, Germany, France or Italy would lead to any number of pundits claiming it as evidence of why that nation would go on to lift the trophy.
Bale lauded the victory that saw them top Group B and progress to the knockout phase with a match against one of the best third-placed teams in Paris on Saturday, calling it “the best I have been involved in”.
The Real Madrid star turned in a man-of-the-match display, scoring his side’s third goal midway through the second half at the Stadium Municipal, to set up a last-16 clash.
“We knew everything was on this game, it was in our own hands, and we said to go out there and have no regrets,” he said.
“The performance was probably the best I have been involved in, and what a support.
“To top the group, what more can you ask? The fans here, the fans at home, we want to thank them very much. It is a dream for all of us.
“We said we did not come here to just make up the numbers, we wanted to put a real effort in and to win the group, you can’t do any more than that, so now we will look forwards to whomever we get next.”
Fellow midfielder Joe Allen, who set up Ramsey’s opener, added: “I thought we started the game so well, from start to finish we thoroughly deserved the win.
“To win in style like that is a special moment for Welsh football, I think. We had the disappointment of the late goal against England, but we didn’t let it affect us. You can see how resilient the boys are.”