Wales are now the highest scoring nation in UEFA Nations League history after giving the Republic of Ireland a good pummelling in their maiden outing.
With Manchester United alumni Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane in opposing dugouts, it was the former’s young, exuberant team that ended up galloping to a 4-1 victory in Cardiff.
After Tom Lawrence opened the scoring with just six minutes gone, it was Gareth Bale who doubled the lead roughly 10 minutes later with a truly delightful demonstration of touch, drive and that superb long-range finishing of his…
Aaron Ramsey then added a third unanswered goal before half-time with an assist from the excellent Ethan Ampadu, who wrested back possession in the middle of the pitch before laying one on for his compatriot.
As the onslaught continued, Connor Roberts made it four for Wales in the 55th minute when the young Swansea midfielder applied the fitting finish to Bale’s gliding pass across the edge of the Ireland box…
Ireland did eventually conjure up a consolation goal through Shaun Williams of Millwall, but it was far too little and far too late, with Giggs’ young horde putting in the kind of cohesive, creative performance that gets an entire nation exited about the future.
As for Martin O’Neill’s drab and listless squad… dear, oh dear.
Ryan Giggs off to a flier but whatever Martin O’Neill said to him at FT, Giggs looked pretty bemused.. 😳 pic.twitter.com/D6ElCtaF2e
— Manish Bhasin (@_manishbhasin) 6 September 2018
That about sums it up.