Walters, Christie and McClean give Ireland fine win over Uruguay

Ireland produced an excellent, aggressive performance against Uruguay to set them up perfectly for next weekend's crucial World Cup qualifier against Austria, winning 3-1 in their friendly at the Aviva Stadium.

The game started fairly slowly, but Ireland took heart from early the injury sustained by Edinson Cavani; with Luis Suarez already absent, it became tricky to see from where Uruguay's threat might come. And on 28 minutes, the hosts took the lead, Glenn Whelan finding Jon Walters, who turned to stroke a wonderful drive into the far side-netting.

But within nine minutes Uruguay were level, Darren Randolph flying out to claim Carlos Sanchez's free-kick and missing, thereby allowing Jose Gimenez to loop a header into the net.

Ireland, though, kept at it, and just before half-time Robbie Brady diverted the ball across goal for Walters, three yards out and in front of goal. Somehow, hilariously, he contrived to hit the bar.

Though Martin O'Neill made several changes at half-time and through the second period, Ireland maintained their intensity and on 51 minutes, Cyrus Christie curled them into the lead. Then on 77 minutes, a perfectly executed break allowed the substitute James McClean to burst into the box, and his finish was unerring.

What does O'Neill do? Martin O'Neill made a variety of changes for the game, and the performance of his team will have given him something to think about for the Austria game. Ireland improved when Wes Hoolahan came on, but can he find room for him, Harry Arter, Jeff Hendrick and McClean?

Harry Arter (Ireland): Prompted and tackled well, always available to give or receive a pass.

Ireland: Randolph 5, Christie 7, Ward 6, Long 6, Duffy 6, Hayes 6, Whelan 6, Arter 8, Hendrick 7, Brady 7, Walters 7. Subs: Westwood 6, Hoolahan 7, McGeady 6, McClean 7, Pearce 6, Murphy 6.

Uruguay: Conde 6, Pereira 6, Gimenez 6, Coares 6, Caceres 5, Rios 5, Sanchez 6, Vecino 6, Kabalt 6, Urretaviscaya 6, Cavani 6. Subs: Stuani 5,Gonzalez 5, Silva 5, Nandez 5, Ricca 6.

28’ - WHAT A GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Uruguay (Walters) The maestro strikes! Whelan pokes the ball to him just outside the box, just right of centre, and back to goal, his silky first touch finds Rios. But he can only prod back to yerman, who turns and strokes a lofted drive into the side-netting at the far post! Brilliant!

34’ - In comes the corner, Caceres is up early and high, and he thumps a header against the bar!

37’ - GOAL! Ireland 1-1 Uruguay (Gimenez) Uruguay win another free-kick, this time of centre, 40 yards out, and Sanchez bends it in. Randolph comes a long way for it - if he doesn't, no one's scoring - misses, and Gimenez loops a header over the men between him and goln and into the net!

44’ - WHAT A MISS! OH YES! Christie's long cross to the back post sees Brady sprinting after the airborne ball, he does brilliantly at the far post to direct the ball across the face of goal before it flies behind. Walters could finish this with a gentle whistle, but it comes at him fast, he connects firmly but ineptly with his right when he ought to use his left, and cannons the bar from about three yards! Ironically, I think he's hit that one too well, Clive.

51’ - GOAL! Ireland 2-1 Uruguay (Christie) Ireland win the ball back high up the pitch and quickly send it right to Christie. He cuts into the box, chucks in a Phil Nev stepover, and with Caceres befuddled, passes a low curler into the far corner; the key was how early he hit it, before keeper and defender were set.

77’ - GOAL! Ireland 3-1 Uruguay (McClean) This is very well-worked and taken. Hoolahan intercepts a square-ball just outside his own box, moves the ball left, and Murphysnaps a long, low, straight pass into the path of McClean. He burts through Gimenez's slide, into the box, and creams a finish into the bottom corner.