Match ends, Republic of Ireland 0, Wales 0.
Wales' hopes of World Cup qualification look increasingly remote following a goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland, whose captain Seamus Coleman suffered a broken leg after a wild tackle that led to Neil Taylor being sent off.
The hosts seemed content to play for a draw as their deep-lying and stubborn defence shackled Wales - and the visitors' lack of creativity and incision contributed to an underwhelming encounter.
Gareth Bale twice went close for Wales, but their task became a daunting one after 69 minutes as Taylor was shown a straight red card for his lunge on Coleman, who was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.
That incident lit the fuse for a tempestuous atmosphere that appeared to inspire the Republic, but despite their push for a late winner, Martin O'Neill's side had to settle for a point and second place in Group D.
They lost top spot after Serbia's victory in Georgia earlier on Friday but remain four points ahead of Wales.
For Chris Coleman's side, a fourth successive draw of the campaign is another setback in their stuttering bid to qualify for next year's World Cup in Russia.
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Wales' qualifying hopes take another hit
Wales boss Coleman had been careful to avoid using the phrase "must win" for this fixture but, with the Republic four points in front, the visitors could ill afford anything other than three points from Dublin.
Rather than emphasise the importance of this result, Coleman had said he and his side were driven by a "desperation" to replicate last summer's run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, a hunger to qualify for a second successive major tournament after an absence of 58 years.
The enormity of the occasion made for a tense and disjointed start to the match, with all 11 home players regularly in their own half as they sought to contain their opponents.
Wales' inability to unlock the dogged defence before them was a familiar failing, as they had struggled similarly in their home draws with Georgia and Serbia, as well as their last-16 triumph over Northern Ireland at the European Championship.
Bale and Aaron Ramsey, usually their most potent attacking weapons, looked off the pace having both returned from injury relatively recently.
Bale sprung into action early in the second half with a dipping free-kick straight at keeper Darren Randolph and a swerving shot that went narrowly wide - but his frustrating evening was capped by a yellow card, meaning he will be suspended for June's trip to Serbia.
Taylor sees red
The match was played with a ferocity most would expect from relatively local rivals and two teams comprised of several Premier League club-mates.
But the physicality spilled over after 69 minutes. With the ball running loose, Wales left-back Taylor lunged recklessly at Coleman, who was clearly in great pain as he was taken off the field on a stretcher.
Roared on by a vociferous home crowd, the Republic sought to exploit their one-man advantage with a frantic late push forward - but they were thwarted by some stubborn Wales defending.
The hosts were also arguably paying for their earlier pragmatism and unwillingness to attack.
Where as Wales had some catching up to do with their group rivals, the Republic could afford to sit back and wait for their opportunity to pounce - even though they had been overtaken at the top of the table following Serbia's victory.
With a home encounter against the group leaders to come later in the campaign, O'Neill's side seemed to consider this fixture a chance to consolidate, rather than significantly improve, their position.
Line-ups
Republic of Ireland
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 23Randolph
- 2ColemanSubstituted forChristieat 72'minutes
- 4O'Shea
- 3Keogh
- 17Ward
- 18MeylerBooked at 46minsSubstituted forMcGeadyat 80'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 6Whelan
- 19Walters
- 13Hendrick
- 5McClean
- 9Long
Substitutes
- 1Westwood
- 7McGeady
- 8McCarthy
- 10Doyle
- 11Horgan
- 12Christie
- 14Egan
- 15Hourihane
- 16Doyle
- 20Hayes
- 21O'Dowda
- 22Pearce
Wales
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1Hennessey
- 5Chester
- 6Williams
- 4Davies
- 2Gunter
- 7Allen
- 16LedleySubstituted forRichardsat 72'minutes
- 3TaylorBooked at 69mins
- 10RamseyBooked at 56mins
- 11BaleBooked at 68mins
- 9Robson-KanuSubstituted forVokesat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 8King
- 12Fon Williams
- 13MacDonald
- 14Edwards
- 15Wilson
- 17Richards
- 18Vokes
- 19Collins
- 20Walsh
- 21Ward
- 22Bradshaw
- 23Woodburn
- Referee:
- Nicola Rizzoli
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home42%
- Away58%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Republic of Ireland 0, Wales 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Shane Long (Republic of Ireland) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Aiden McGeady with a cross.
Booking
Aiden McGeady (Republic of Ireland) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Ashley Williams.
Post update
Attempt missed. Gareth Bale (Wales) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Aaron Ramsey with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Wales. Conceded by Cyrus Christie.
Post update
Attempt missed. Aiden McGeady (Republic of Ireland) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by James McClean.
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Attempt missed. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sam Vokes.
Post update
Foul by Gareth Bale (Wales).
Post update
James McClean (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Jazz Richards.
Substitution
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Aiden McGeady replaces David Meyler.
Post update
Chris Gunter (Wales) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by James McClean (Republic of Ireland).
Post update
Attempt missed. Shane Long (Republic of Ireland) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Glenn Whelan with a cross.
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Gareth Bale (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Cyrus Christie (Republic of Ireland).
Post update
Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by James Chester.
Comments
Join the conversation
I really dislike the - he's not that type of player - excuse
What's the defence for that - diminished responsibility ? If you go in for a challenge like that you can hardly be surprised if serious injury results
Really feel for Seamus - good player, honest servant for club and country. One of the better examples in the spolit PL
It was high, late and forceful, it wasn't an unfortunate 50/50 challenge, it was very dangerous; no good saying there's no malice in the lad - the evidence shows otherwise.
Wales the better side but will rue the lost points.
2 minutes ago
Horror tackle from Taylor
I really dislike the - he's not that type of player - excuse
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It is stupid.
It is like telling the judge you are not that sort of guy after beating someone into a coma....
I thought the game was dull with very little quality.
Bale missing the Serbia game is almost the end of Wales qualifying campaign imo.
Get well Seamus.
Rot in hell taylor.
1. The tackle was 'over the ball'
2. It was late
3. Taylor had his eyes open and was targeting the middle shin of Coleman
4. Both feet of Taylor were off the ground
5. The tackle was reckless
6. The intent was probably to injure the opposing player
Taylor may 'regret' his actions but has no defence
The short answer to that is, ‘Well, he is now.’