Gareth Bale nets stunner, Aaron Ramsey also on scoresheet as Wales rout Ireland
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ByEurosport
Updated 06/09/2018 at 22:16 GMT
UEFA Nations League Group B4, Cardiff City Stadium - Wales 4 (Lawrence 6', Bale 19', Ramsey 37', Roberts 55') Republic of Ireland 1 (Williams 66')
Wales' striker Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring their second goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between Wales and Republic of Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff on September 6, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
Gareth Bale netted a stunning strike from distance and Aaron Ramsey also scored as Wales started their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 4-1 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Tom Lawrence got Ryan Giggs' side off to the perfect start when he slotted home Joe Allen's through-ball on the run and Bale's outrageous effort from the edge of the area doubled the Welsh lead within the first 20 minutes.
Ramsey made it three in the 37th minute when he fired past Darren Randolph after an excellent pass from Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu.
After the break Bale's fizzed ball across the box found Connor Roberts who took a touch before striking home for his first international goal, capping off a fine move.
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Wales v Republic of Ireland - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - September 6, 2018 Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates with team mates after scoring their second goal
Image credit: Getty Images
Shaun Williams then nicked possession from Ramsey to score his first goal for Ireland but it proved merely a consolation for Martin O'Neill's side, as Wales moved into top spot in Group B4 of the competition.
TALKING POINT
New-look Wales shine for Giggs: The former Manchester United assistant manager named a young, energetic side brimming with enthusiasm in his first home game in charge, and he was rewarded with an attacking display the very best teams would be proud of.
As successful as former boss Chris Coleman was, his Welsh team never played football anything like this. Under Coleman, Wales were resilient, difficult to beat - but rarely free-flowing, as demonstrated in the past two meetings with Ireland: a goalless draw followed by the 1-0 defeat which ended their World Cup hopes. But this new-look side, under their promising manager, threw caution to the wind, battering an Ireland team normally so difficult to beat.
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Ryan Giggs, Manager of Wales applauds fans after the UEFA Nations League B group four match between Wales and Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium on September 6, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
With the perfect blend of youth and experience, it seems these are exciting times for Welsh football supporters.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Gareth Bale (Wales): Epitomised everything that was so special about Wales' attacking display. He was at the centre of everything - linking midfield and attack; switching play; finding space; registering an assist and producing that lethal finish. A role model for all of the talented youngsters coming through the Welsh system.
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Wales v Republic of Ireland - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - September 6, 2018 Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates scoring their second goal
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
Wales: Hennessey 6, Ampadu 8, Williams 7, Mepham 7, Davies 8, Allen 8, Ramsey 8, C. Roberts 8, Lawrence 8, Brooks 8, Bale 9. Subs: Smith 7, T. Roberts 7.
Ireland: Randolph 5, Coleman 6, Duffy 5, Clark 4, Ward 5, Christie 4, Hendrick 5, Hourihane 5, O'Dowda 5, Robinson 4, Walters 5. Subs: Stevens 4, Williams 6, Horgan 5.
KEY MOMENTS
6' - GOAL! Wales 1-0 Republic of Ireland: The hosts rewarded for their confidence start, they lead after just six minutes! A delightful weighted-pass from Allen picks out Lawrence who peeled off his marker and the Derby forward finishes with aplomb, smashing the ball past Randolph.
18' - GOAL! Wales 2-0 Republic of Ireland: Gareth Bale, take a bow. It's another simply stunning goal from this special, special talent, and how this home crowd enjoy it. The playmaker controls a beautiful diagonal ball on the left side of the penalty area, he is allowed too much space by Clark and he takes full advantage by curling a simply unstoppable left-footed shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
37' - GOAL! Wales 3-0 Ireland: This is becoming embarrassing! Walters is shrugged off the ball far too easily in midfield, Ampadu races forward unchallenged and rolls a pass to Ramsey who slides it past Randolph at his near post from inside the penalty area.
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Aaron Ramsey of Wales celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Nations League B group four match between Wales and Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium on September 6, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
55' - GOAL! Wales 4-0 Ireland: Bale is the architect as Roberts scores his first goal in international football, and it's not half bad either! The Real Madrid forward nonchalantly fizzes a cross to the Swansea defender on the left and he finishes with a sweet half-volley into the bottom corner.
66' - GOAL! Wales 4-1 Ireland: The visitors have one back, Shaun Williams scoring his first international goal on his second cap. He pick-pockets Ramsey who was too complacent in possession before lobbing it over Hennessey. Classy finish.
KEY STATS
- Wales were without a win in their last eight meetings with Ireland in all competitions (D4 L4), and had never beaten them in a competitive match (P4 W0 D2 L2) - until tonight.
- Ryan Giggs' side scored more goals in the first half than they had in their previous seven games against the Republic of Ireland combined (2).
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