Wales had to dig deep to eke out a late 2-0 win against a resilient Moldova on Tuesday to remain in contention for a place in next summer’s World Cup.
The home side, 141 places below Wales in the FIFA rankings, stood resolute against the might of the visitors’ attack, surprisingly frustrating them till the 80th minute. However, the deadlock, and Moldova’s resolve, was finally broken with just ten minutes left in regulation time as Hal Robson-Kanu headed in the opener.
The win was then rounded off in injury time after Aaron Ramsey’s long-range effort was deflected past Ilie Cebanu. The result saw Wales leapfrog Republic of Ireland into second spot in Group D, setting up a tasty tenth round encounter with their rivals that will practically decide who goes into the playoffs.
The aforementioned was among the talking points as well as people took to Twitter following Wales’ win:
Wales scores, Ireland are buggered.
— Lethal R Lukaku 9 (@LethalRLukaku9) September 5, 2017
Aaron Ramsey’s strike for Wales tonight against Moldova means he overtakes Ryan Giggs on international goals for his country – 13. #afc pic.twitter.com/mwmi2iNZa7
— UberArsenal™ (@UberAFC) September 5, 2017
Three important points no arrests no passports lost everyone in good spirits so good night from the fan embassy team in Chisinau, Moldova
— Fan Embassy Wales (@FSFwalesfanemb) September 5, 2017
Wales fan in Moldova doing the Patrice @Evra. pic.twitter.com/EPf08zqFhR
— Away Days Videos (@AwayDaysVideos) September 5, 2017
9th October
Wales vs Ireland. Cardiff.
Belter.— Sam Matterface (@sammatterface) September 5, 2017
Also, looking at tables, Wales-Ireland game on last day may be even more interesting as they may need to beat us as well as other way around
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 5, 2017
Fantastic result for Wales – October 9th – Ireland in Cardiff will be fantastic.
— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) September 5, 2017
9th October
Wales v Ireland ⚽
Massive game
— Spion Kop (@TheKopHQ) September 5, 2017
Chris Coleman received some praise as well, as his side remained in contention for Russia 2018:
Well played Chris Coleman. Some outstanding team management over these last couple of games.
— Paul Thomas (@NeathJack1) September 5, 2017
Whether you like them or not, we need a Wales win this evening. Can’t be doing with Chris Coleman without a job. You know why…#CPFC
— CPFC HQ (@CPFCHQ) September 5, 2017
Great great win for wales , well done Ben Woodburn ???? well done chris Coleman ????
— Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) September 2, 2017
Welsh passion starts at the top. You can’t keep Chris Coleman down. #WALAUT
https://t.co/opMRxzVu5N— White Noise (@WhiteNoise1879) September 2, 2017
But, the night belonged to young sensation Ben Woodburn who backed his match-winning effort against Austria with a deadlock-breaking assist on Tuesday:
Ben Woodburn has now been directly involved in Wales’ last two qualifying goals.
⚽️ vs. Austria
?️ vs. MoldovaGame-changer. ? pic.twitter.com/LVZ0yjFp9j
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 5, 2017
Wales fans new song for Woodburn in Moldova. Credit: @WalesAwayDays pic.twitter.com/tXb38jdPfq
— Away Days Videos (@AwayDaysVideos) September 5, 2017
Robson-Kanu scores a crucial goal for Wales after truly sparkling work from young Ben Woodburn once again.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 5, 2017
Woodburn could get on the end of a North Korea nuke, cross in back into their border and send Kim Jung-Un to see his father.
— Rex (@DoFRex) September 5, 2017
Ben Woodburn’s 1st taste of international football:
21 mins v Austria – scores winning goal
29 mins v Moldova – assists opening goal pic.twitter.com/zaLbvqIlT8— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) September 5, 2017
Ben Woodburn is a player. Won’t be long before he’s in Liverpool’s first-team on a regular basis…
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) September 5, 2017
I’m not saying Woodburn is going to win the Ballon d’Or but Ben Woodburn is going to win the Ballon d’Or.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) September 5, 2017
I don’t want to get ahead of myself or anything; but Woodburn is the greatest Welsh player of all time. pic.twitter.com/gm373CrdkB
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) September 5, 2017
What an assist by Woodburn ? pic.twitter.com/sKRDxr6u8E
— Georgino Wijnaldum (@WijnaldumLFC) September 5, 2017
Ben Woodburn with the assist, come on to change the game twice in a week, what an impact from the 17 year old.
— Coral (@Coral) September 5, 2017
Heard your team hasn’t got Ben Woodburn. Unlucky.
— Ste Hoare (@stehoare) September 5, 2017
Here’s the thing about Ben Woodburn: it’s not just that he’s ridiculously talented in a general sense, it’s that he translates his talent
— Naby K8A (@MrDilk1ington) September 5, 2017