Ryan Giggs compared Harry Wilson to David Beckham after the Wales youngster’s brilliant free-kick earned his team victory over the Republic of Ireland.
Wilson’s stunning set-piece proved the difference between the sides in Dublin as a 1-0 victory took Wales to the top of their Nations League group.
The 21-year-old followed up his magnificent free-kick for Derby against Manchester United last month with another memorable set-piece strike – his 25-yard effort flying past Darren Randolph in the 58th minute.
Ireland created little in response and look as though they will be relegated from Group B4.
Wales, meanwhile, have ensured they will be seeded in Pot Two for Euro 2020 qualifying and will now battle for top spot in the group with Denmark after their first competitive win without Gareth Bale or Aaron Ramsey for 13 years.
Giggs – whose playing career spanned the Beckham years at Manchester United – insisted of Wilson, “He does it all the time in training.
“I saw David Beckham over the years and his free-kicks. He practised and practised and Harry does that as well.
“I fined him for the goal at Old Trafford a few weeks ago, but I won’t be fining him tonight. It takes a special talent to do that.”
Giggs admitted that Wales were as poor as lacklustre Ireland in the first-half, but insisted their character and quality proved decisive after the break and meant they fully deserved their comeback victory following the heavy defeat at home to Spain in last week’s friendly.
He singled out captain Ashley Williams for praise, following a difficult spell for the skipper when many have questioned whether he was still worth a starting place in the team.
“I don’t want to pick out just one name, but Ashley Williams was outstanding for 90 minutes.
“It was real captain’s performance. He defended and did all the hard stuff to give us a platform for chances at the other end.
“The boys making their debuts did really well. They were a bit nervous to start with which is understandable. But this is a tough place to come and perform under pressure. They should be proud of themselves.
“I’m so proud. They dug in, right to the end. It was brilliant second-half performance. In the first half I didn’t think we were great. We were poor, both with and without the ball But in the second-half, we made up for that.
“They showed determination not to give a goal away. I said that last Thursday against Spain, we didn’t do the basics. Tonight, we did those basics. We defended and didn’t give chances away.
“We were a much smaller team tonight, but the determination to win the set pieces was amazing – and it was led by the captain.”
Chances were few and far between, however, with Tyler Roberts sweeping a shot wide and Shane Duffy heading at Hennessey from a corner before half-time.
The deadlock was eventually broken from a set-piece as Wilson fired past a wrong-footed Randolph from 25 yards out in the 58th minute.
There was no immediate response from Ireland and instead it was Wales who went close as Tom Lawrence missed a chance on the break and James Chester headed wide from close range.
Ireland had a late chance in injury time but James McClean’s shot was saved by Hennessey at the near post.
Giggs added: “We set out at the beginning to win the group and now it’s in our hands. We have home game in November and Cardiff will be bouncing, which is what we want.”
Wales should have both Bale and Ramsey back for that decider and Giggs added: “It’s not easy when you are missing players of that quality.
“But the players who stepped in did brilliantly. Everyone contributed. The team showed real character and spirit tonight.”
- Republic of Ireland have lost back-to-back matches against Wales for the first time since they lost their opening four meetings with the Dragons, ending back in 1986.
- Wales have beaten Republic of Ireland away from home for the first time since February 1992 under manager Terry Yorath, while it is also the Dragons first ever competitive victory in Dublin.
- Republic of Ireland have won just one of their last seven home competitive matches (D3 L3).
- Ryan Giggs is the first Wales manager to win his first two matches against Republic of Ireland since Mike England did so back in 1986.