HARRY BLOW FOR O’NEILL
HARRY WILSON showed his star quality with a trademark free-kick for Wales to leave Martin O’Neill fighting to save his job as Ireland boss.
Not for the first time this season Wilson pinged home a spectacular set-piece effort in a huge stadium.
The Liverpool star, on loan at Derby, netted a classic Carabao Cup strike at Old Trafford to level against Manchester United in September before they won a penalty shootout.
At the Aviva, the 21-year-old bagged another fine effort to settle this Nations League clash.
Harry Arter hauled down Connor Roberts and Wilson curled the ball over the wall to bring light to a dour encounter.
His cause was aided by keeper Darren Randolph moving the wrong way as the ball left his foot in the 58th minute.
Brilliant
Wilson said: “To go home with the winning goal and score for your country is amazing.”
Wales skipper Ashley Williams added: “We knew we had to stand up to them at times.
“We had a young team and it’s about them getting on the pitch and they were brilliant.
“We want to win the group now.”
O’Neill is now facing questions over his future, although it’s a struggle to think of anyone who would do a better job.
However, five defeats in their last nine games is a miserable run of form.
In the absence of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, Ryan Giggs threw in his Welsh youngsters and they had to learn quickly.
Inexperience showed when Matthew Smith tried to turn on the edge of his own box early on.
He was robbed by Cyrus Christie, who took an early curling shot that was turned aside by Wayne Hennessey.
But the away side settled and were clearly the better side after Wilson’s stunner.
O’Neill said: “There were a lot of positives despite the result. We lack a little bit of technical ability but we have some great spirit.”
On the winning goal, Giggs said: “It’s a special talent to do that. I’ve seen David Beckham over the years and they practice, practice and practice. And Harry does that.” °Ê
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN’S double for France piled the misery on Germany last night.
The four-time World Cup winners’ dismal run in 2018 continued as they went down 2-1 despite a Toni Kroos penalty.