<E>C8E; m JG8@E
GARETH BALE lashed in a stunner as Wales crushed Martin O’Neill’s dismal Ireland in their Nations League group opener.
Tom Lawrence fired Ryan Giggs’ side ahead in Cardiff after just six minutes.
Real Madrid’s Bale curled in a beauty from the edge of the area 12 minutes later.
Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts added strikes before Shaun Williams’ consolation goal.
Giggs was delighted after romping to victory in his first competitive game in charge. He said: “The lads were magnificent, I can’t be much happier.”
Bale said: “We wanted to show what we are capable of and make a statement.”
Report: Page 45 SPAIN boss Luis Enrique has banned late-night ludo sessions as he bids to turn his flops into winners once more.
Enrique took charge of Spain in July in the wake of their shambolic World Cup showing. And he has warned his squad that playing ludo, cards and PlayStations long into the night, like they did in Russia, is no longer allowed.
The former Barcelona boss takes charge of his first game when Spain face England at Wembley tomorrow in their Nations League opener. Enrique (right) has also banned mobile phones from the dining room and will insist that all his stars sit and eat together.
He has vowed to fine players who are late for dinner, will make them go to