Football news - Harry Wilson wonder goal gives Wales win in Ireland
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Updated 16/10/2018 at 21:28 GMT
Harry Wilson curled home a stunning free-kick as a young Wales side enjoyed a 1-0 over Republic of Ireland in Dublin to kill off the home side's Nations League promotion hopes.
Harry Wilson (L) celebrates with Wales' striker David Brooks after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between Republic of Ireland and Wales at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
Image credit: Eurosport
Derby's on-loan Liverpool winger walloped a brilliant free-kick over the wall and into the net on 58 minutes as Wales completed the double over Ireland, who were demolished 4-1 in Cardiff last month.
Even without the injured Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey - whose wife gave birth to twins ruling him out - Wales had too much for their local rivals as they kept alive their prospects of promotion from Group B4 with a home match against Denmark to come on November 16.
Ireland must beat Denmark in their final match in Aarhus on November 19 to keep alive hopes of avoiding demotion to pot three for the Euro 2020 qualifying draw.
TALKING POINT: Ireland struggle to create
They've made tweaks and full-blown changes, amended the way they're playing, but they never really looked like taking advantage of any of their chances, and seemed nervous when faced with goal. The Republic’s approach, as ever, was more prosaic and while there was plenty of perspiration, the inspiration they have lacked for some time was once again in short supply.
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Harry Wilson, centre, celebrates his winner
Image credit: PA Sport
Even when they fell behind, Ireland’s response was concerted, but largely without finesse, although Wayne Hennessey had to save from Hendrick when he drilled in a rising 66th-minute effort from Matt Doherty’s lay-off
O’Neill and assistant Roy Keane will mark five years at the helm next month, when they will need Denmark to lose in Wales and to then record their first win in five competitive matches in Aarhus three days later if they are to avoid relegation from League B.
MAN OF THE MATCH Wayne Hennessey (Wales)
Assured all the way through, and despite first-half pressure looked entirely confident. Commentators might say plenty of shots were directly at him; others might observe that he was simply always in the right place at the right time.
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Republic of Ireland's Jeff Hendrick in action with Wales' Connor Roberts and Joe Allen
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
- Ireland - Randolph 6, Duffy 6, K Long 6, Keogh 6, Doherty 6, Christie 6, Arter 7, McClean 7, Hendrick 6, Robinson 6, O'Brien 6. Subs - S Long 6, Maguire 6, Hogan 6
- Wales - Hennessey 7, C Roberts 6, Chester 6, Williams 6, B Davies 7, Allen 6, Smith 6, Lawrence 6, Wilson 7, Brooks 7, T Roberts 6. Subs - Ward, A Davies, Richards, Gunter 6, Rodon, King, John, Edwards, Freeman, Thomas, Vokes, Woodburn
KEY MOMENTS
- 9' WHAT?! Cyrus Christie has such a brilliant chance here as Smith slips on the edge of the box, but Hennessey is alert and alive and gets that away for a corner.
- 40' CHANCE! Robinson's shot from the edge of the box is blocked by Smith - it was a great piece of vision from McClean on the left.
- 58' GOAL! Lovely stuff - a Wales goal direct from a free kick, imagine! It's Wilson who curls it beautifully over the wall and into the net.
- 74' CLOSE! James Chester gets his head to the cross after the corner, but manages to strike one of the uprights holding the net up.
KEY STATS
- Republic of Ireland have lost back-to-back matches against Wales for the first time since they lost their opening four meetings with the Dragons, ending back in 1986.
- Wales have beaten Republic of Ireland away from home for the first time since February 1992 under manager Terry Yorath, while it is also the Dragons first ever competitive victory in Dublin against the Boys in Green.
- Republic of Ireland have won just one of their last seven home competitive matches (D3 L3).
- Ryan Giggs is the first Wales manager to win his first two matches against Republic of Ireland since Mike England did so back in 1986.
- Harry Wilson is the first Welshman to score a direct free-kick goal in a competitive match since Gareth Bale’s strike against England during Euro 2016.
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