Ireland shock Wales, seal WC playoff spot
cardiff — Ireland ripped up the script by beating Wales 1-0 to secure their place in the playoffs for the World Cup finals on Monday.
A night of raw emotion began with both sides needing three points to secure second spot in Group D behind Serbia and ended with Ireland’s visiting fans in delirium thanks to James McClean’s goal.
Martin O’Neill’s Ireland soaked up the expected Welsh pressure in the Cardiff City Stadium and landed a sucker-punch in the 57th-minute with one of their rare attacks.
It proved a body blow from which Chris Coleman’s Wales, who started the night above Ireland in second place and still had eyes on top spot, never recovered as their hopes of reaching a first World Cup finals since 1958 evaporated.
Real Madrid forward and Welsh talisman Gareth Bale, missing the crunch clash through injury, could only watch on helplessly in his seat in the stands as Wales suffered their first defeat in 12 World Cup qualifiers.
Ireland finished the group as runners-up with 19 points, two ahead of Wales who paid the price for too many draws earlier in the campaign.
“So proud. The players were magnificent playing away from home at a very good Welsh side. To win on their territory was a great result for us,” O’Neill said.
“That last half-hour seemed an eternity. We withstood pressure but we knew at some stage we would have to try to win the game and we did.” —