Superb Wales have the Giggs stamp of class

– Wales manager Ryan Giggs enjoyed a memorable first home match in charge as they thrashed Ireland 4-1 in the inaugural Uefa Nations League at a rocking Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday.

Wales had not beaten Ireland for 26 years, never in a competitive fixture and had scored only twice in their last seven meetings but they all but ended that jinx during a spectacular opening 45 minutes in which Tom Lawrence and Aaron Ramsey scored either side of a classic Gareth Bale strike.

Connor Roberts made it 4-0 soon after the break and even

Cardiff

Ireland’s consolation scored by Shaun Williams was drowned out by a chorus of Welsh anthems.

In Giggs’s first two matches in charge, resurgent Wales have scored 10 times after he began his reign with a 6-0 victory in a friendly in China.

Wales, who are in League B in the new competition which largely replaces friendlies and offers a potential route to the Euro 2020 finals, will face a sterner test tomorrow when they face Denmark away.

But they will go there in high spirits with Giggs having quickly put his dynamic stamp on a side blending experience with exciting young talents such as Chelsea centreback Ethan Ampadu.

“The lads were magnificent, some brilliant goals and great football. I can’t be much happier,” Giggs told Sky Sports.

Playing with the kind of pace and verve Giggs was noted for throughout his illustrious Manchester United playing career, Wales tore Martin O’Neill’s sorry Ireland side to shreds.

Lawrence opened the scoring after six minutes, rifling a ferocious shot past Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph after being played in by Joe Allen at the end of a sweeping move.

Twelve minutes later it was 2-0 as Bale took a long Ben Davies pass on his chest before cutting in from the right and curling a left-footed beauty into the net.

Wales continued to dominate and scored again in the 37th minute as 17-year-old Ampadu nicked possession and surged forward before playing a slide-rule pass for Ramsey to finish.

Roberts volleyed in from 20 metres for the fourth goal before a defensive mistake – the one blip on a night of Welsh joy – allowed Williams to salvage a little Irish pride. – Reuters