That was a complete mismatch.
The Republic of Ireland fell to a 4-1 defeat to Wales on Thursday night in Cardiff.
In their first game of the new Uefa Nations League, Ireland were absolutely hammered. Here’s how we rated the Ireland players:
Darren Randolph – 5
The Middlesbrough goalkeeper has kept five clean sheets out of six games in the Championship this season. Before tonight, Randolph last conceded a goal on the opening weekend of the season at the start of Augst. It took just six minutes on Thursday night for Wales to find a way past him. Tom Lawrence beat Randolph at his near-post after Joe Allen cut Ireland open with a through-pass. Gareth Bale then curled a wonderful, unstoppable shot past the Ireland keeper after 18 minutes.
The Bray-native was beaten at his near-post for Wales’ third goal, this time from Aaron Ramsey. His long-kicks to Walters were often Ireland’s only discernible idea of play.
Seamus Coleman – 5
This was Coleman’s first competitive start for Ireland since his horrific leg-break against the same opponents in March 2017 and the Everton full-back had a frustrating night. Coleman’s natural attacking instincts were tapered as Ireland spent the entire game on the backfoot. The Ireland captain was often left in two v one situations, as Ben Davies bombed forward from left-back and Lawrence and Bale took turns drifting out wide. If the plan was for Christie to offer cover for Coleman, it didn’t work and Ireland’s captain had a thankless task.
He did set up Ireland’s best chance with a floated cross to Callum Robinson in the second half, the only time we got to see him on the front-foot.
Shane Duffy – 4
He has started the Premier League season in good form for Brighton, but Duffy found it difficult against Wales’ rampaging forwards. From the kick-off, Bale forced him back and that set the tone for the night.
Ciaran Clark – 3
Clark struggled on a difficult night. He was caught out badly for all three of Wales’ first-half goals. He was in no man’s land when Allen’s pinpoint pass found Lawrence before Wales’ opener. Clark then allowed Bale to cut inside and shoot for their second and couldn’t get close to Ramsey for their third goal of the night. Of course, Clark wasn’t solely at fault for the goals, as Ireland didn’t get near any of Wales’ players in the build-up for each goal. But almost nothing went right for him.
Stephen Ward – 3
Wales evidently targetted Ireland’s left-hand side and Ward didn’t stand a chance against Bale, who was in top form and looked up for the game from the kick-off. Wales’ talisman made light-work of his opponents, who allowed him to cut inside on several occasions. O’Neill showed some mercy when he replaced Ward, who has impressed for Burnley over the last few seasons, with Enda Stevens for the final 30 minutes. Ward’s 50th cap was one to forget.
Cyrus Christie – 4
Many Ireland fans might have expected Matt Doherty, who has been an ever-present with Wolves on their impressive return to the Premier League, to be given a competitive start. However, O’Neill opted for Christie. The full-back has only played 95 minutes of football so far this season with Fulham, but has won 17 caps under the Ireland manager.
With Coleman at right-back, Christe started on the right-hand side of midfield. If the plan was for Christie to track back and offer cover for Coleman, it didn’t happen. The full-back regularly let Davies bomb forward unchecked and put in a muddled performance like the rest of the Ireland team.
Jeff Hendrick – 4
He offered little on the few occasions that he came into possession and, like the rest of Ireland team, didn’t get close enough to Allen or Ethan Ampadu, who cruised through the game in Wales’ midfield.
Here are Ireland’s central midfielders before Allen slid a pass into Lawrence to score. Look how far apart they are.
This was the case all night as Ireland’s flat, four-man midfield just stood off Wales. There were large gaps for their opponents to play through and Ireland couldn’t get anywhere near the home side.
Conor Hourihane – 4
Like Hendrick, Hourihane never got close to Wales’ midfield. He looked lost as they weaved passing patterns around Ireland, and watched the ball sail over his head his teammates lumped it long when they were in possession.
Callum O’Dowda – 4
O’Dowda started on the left-hand side of midfield, and there was space behind him as Wales’ full-backs pushed forward at every available opportunity. He is a talented player but was anonymous against Wales.
Callum Robinson – 5
On his debut for Ireland, Robinson was bright and didn’t disgrace himself. He had a couple of efforts at goal and worked hard up-front with Walters.
Jonathan Walters – 4
The veteran started at centre-forward was starved of service. Ashley Williams had an easy night, which is something that hasn’t happened very often over the last year. Walters was also pushed off the ball by Ampadu, Wales’ 17-year-old midfielder, in the build-up to their third goal.
Subs
Shaun Williams – 6
The Millwall midfielder took his goal very well, lofting a deft finish over Wayne Hennessy after winning the ball high up the pitch.
Enda Stevens – 5
He looked more solid at left-back than Ward.
Daryl Horgan – N/A
Not on long enough to rate.
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