James McClean’s solitary strike sent the Republic of Ireland through to the 2018 World Cup qualifying play-offs at the expense of Wales, with question marks now hanging over the future of boss Chris Coleman.
Both sides arrived at an electric Cardiff City Stadium on Monday, October 9, knowing that only a win would really be good enough to prolong their dream of reaching next summer’s tournament in Russia.
This was a crunch tie with more than its fair share of permutations, with pundits and punters alike doing the maths in the build-up to the final round of qualifying matches.
Ahead of the match, both Wales and the Republic of Ireland were still in with a shot of finishing at the top of Group D, but with Coleman previously admitting to eyeing the play-offs rather than chasing down leaders Serbia, his critics will say it was that complacency which ultimately cost the Dragons a first World Cup spot in 60 years.
The visitors were stoic in defence, with centre-backs Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark imperious in their structure, shape and aerial prowess.
Wales will rue losing midfielder Joe Allen in the first half to a robust challenge, but in truth, the Republic had a game plan which their opponents simply couldn’t beat.
Martin O’Neill’s side were rigid in defence, but fluid on the rare occasion a counter-attacking opportunity presented itself. Jeff Hendrick marshalled the midfield, forcing Caerphilly-born Aaron Ramsey deeper and deeper to collect the ball, while McClean’s thumping shot proved the decisive moment.
Out-thought and out-muscled, Wales conceded after Ashley Williams failed to clear under pressure. Hendrick’s subsequent cross found the West Brom winger, who rattled in a half-volley from just inside the box.
The Euro 2016 semi-finalists threw bodies forward in an attempt to salvage the point they needed to make the play-offs, but the Republic of Ireland stayed strong to progress.
Coleman, who looks likely to leave the role he took up in 2012, will point to the five consecutive draws earlier in the campaign as part of the reason Wales have failed to reach Russia, but this is a team without the luxury of depth afforded to others, and which only had Allen, Ramsey and Gareth Bale on the pitch together three times in the ten group matches.