Video: Harry Wilson’s free-kick fires Wales to win against Ireland

Ryan Giggs hails his young side after the Uefa Nations League victory in Dublin

Harry Wilson scored a free-kick winner for Wales against the Republic of Ireland
Harry Wilson scored a free-kick winner for Wales against the Republic of Ireland
(Image credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland 0 Wales 1

In Uefa Nations League B group 4 Wales secured a superb 1-0 win against the Republic of Ireland last night thanks to Harry Wilson’s 58th-minute free-kick.

Described as “sensational” by WalesOnline and “beautiful” by BBC Sport, the free-kick came just before the hour mark with Wilson curling home from 20 yards and giving Republic keeper Darren Randolph no chance.

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Wales were without Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey for the short trip to Dublin. As a result head coach Ryan Giggs gave opportunities to several youngsters including 21-year-old Wilson, who’s on loan at Derby County from Liverpool.

Giggs hailed his side for their victory and praised Wilson for his brilliant strike. He told Sky Sports: “I’m so proud – they dug in right to the end. It was a really brilliant second-half performance. The determination pleased me, to not give a goal away. I said on Thursday that we didn’t do the basics against Spain [in the 4-1 defeat] but we did today.

“He [Wilson] does it all the time in training: it’s practice, practice, practice. We set out to win the group. It’s a tough group and now it is in our hands.”

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Ireland struggling

After two defeats against Wales and a draw against Denmark, the Republic of Ireland are bottom of their Uefa Nations League group with only one point from three matches.

Ireland boss Martin O’Neill said: “I felt we should have scored early on, and we are not renowned for scoring a lot of goals so we need to take our chances. It was a grandstand finish and I thought we could have got something, but... there were a lot of positives despite the result.

“They have a great spirit, we lack a little bit of technical ability. We have spirit in abundance but that won’t take you everywhere. We need to be more creative if we can.”

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