Page 26 - Irish Examiner USA

sportsexaminer
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2019 Substitute Lallana Wales Come From Behind
To Advance Past France
23rd, Secures Late Point For Wales staged a stunning

October Liverpool fightback victory to win a

gripping World Cup quar-
Substitute Adam ter-final in Oita after France
| saved pressed the self-destruct
EXAMINER Lallana Manchester button.
Liverpool from a chas-
tening loss at bitter
The Six Nations champi-
rivals
ons’ 20-19 victory was
United in a pulsating
IRISH Premier League clash secured by Ross Moriarty’s
74th-minute try that Dan
which had its share of
Biggar converted.
VAR drama.
Ole Gunnar There was an agonizing wait while the officials checked for a possible Wales
Solskjaer’s side headed knock-on in build-up play, but the try was awarded.
into this match as A Wales win looked unlikely for long periods as an often flamboyant and brilliant
underdogs against Jurgen Klopp’s rampant side – little wonder given the vis- French team dominated.
itors had won their last 17 league matches and the Red Devils were just a But the game changed course after Les Bleus lock Sebastien Vahaamahina was
point off the relegation zone. sent off in the 48th minute for elbowing Wales flanker Aaron Wainwright in the face.
United have so often been the scourge of Liverpool at Old Trafford, Wales trailed by nine points at the time, but they dug deep after an earlier
though, and were on course for a memorable win thanks to Marcus Wainwright try, while Biggar booted 10 points.
Rashford’s contentious goal, only for late replacement Lallana to secure a 1- France were breathtaking at times, showcasing their beguiling best as
1 draw. Vahaamahina, flanker Charles Ollivon and center Virimi Vakatawa scored first-half
It was the first time Klopp’s men had dropped points since March 3, but tries.
this game was shaping up to be a whole lot worse for the table-topping vis- Wales conceded two touchdowns during the first eight minutes, had Moriarty sin-
itors. binned for a high tackle, yet they somehow got over the winning line.
United dragged Liverpool into a scrap by playing with an intensity so Wales head coach Warren Gatland steps down after the tournament following a
often lacking this season, with their unusually resolute defence providing 12-year reign highlighted by three Six Nations Grand Slams.
the platform for a break that saw Daniel James superbly cross for Rashford And Wales’ World Cup adventure will now continue for at least another week,
to turn home.
The visitors were furious that the video assistant referee allowed the goal with Japan or South Africa their semi-final opponents.
to stand despite Victor Lindelof’s challenge on Divock Origi in the build-up It was the eighth time in nine attempts since France knocked Wales out of the
– frustration that only grew when what would have been an equalizer by 2011 World Cup for Wales to defeat Les Bleus.
Sadio Mane was cancelled out for handball. And it was a win that was underpinned by their fearless resolve, never-say-die atti-
Liverpool were missing injured Mohamed Salah but looked sharper after tude and unshakable self-belief.
the break and salvaged a late point as Lallana ghosted in at the far post to Wales suffered a major blow ahead of the game when their British and Lions cen-
turn home Andrew Robertson’s cross. C ter Jonathan Davies was ruled out after aggravating a knee injury.
Owen Watkin moved off the bench to take over in midfield, with Leigh
Chelsea Move Up To Fourth With Halfpenny joining the replacements.
Wales were rattled by an aggressive French start as their big ball-carriers made
Alonso’s Winner Against Magpies headway.

Marcos Alonso’s second-half strike helped Chelsea move up to fourth in It was all hands to the pump for Wales’ defenders, but France went ahead after
the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United. five minutes when Vahaamahina powered over for a try from close range.
The Blues had the better of the first half, with Willian heading wide and And before Wales could recover from that setback, they fell further behind after a
Mason Mount forcing Martin Dubravka into a save. brilliant France move from inside their own half saw scrum-half Antoine Dupont
Tammy Abraham headed against the crossbar during the early stages of deliver a scoring pass to Ollivon.
the second half and could only head over minutes later. Fly-half Roman Ntamack converted Ollivon’s score, and France were rampant,
Dubravka then denied substitute Christian Pulisic before Alonso broke leading 12-0 after just eight minutes.
the deadlock on 73 minutes after being played in by Callum Hudson-Odoi. Wales had to reply quickly following such an unsettling opening, and they deliv-
Abraham had a late effort brilliantly cleared off the line by DeAndre ered courtesy of a 12th-minute try for Wainwright.
Yedlin as Chelsea earned a third consecutive victory to move up to fourth The Dragons forward, who had never previously scored for his country, gathered
on 17 points. C
a loose ball and then galloped clear from 30 meters out to touch down, with Biggar’s
City Close On Liverpool After 2-0 Away conversion making it 12-7.
It was a strong response, and then Biggar kicked a penalty to leave Wales just two
Win At Selhurst Park points adrift after 20 minutes.
Wales appeared back in the contest, and they began to shade the territorial battle,
Two goals in quick succession from Gabriel Jesus and David Silva earned
Manchester City a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace and moved them within five but the Six Nations champions then suffered an injury blow when flanker Josh Navidi
points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. went off and was replaced by Moriarty.
Jesus, preferred instead of Sergio Aguero in attack, headed in from But Moriarty had not been on the pitch for two minutes when referee Jaco Peyper
Bernardo Silva’s 39th-minute cross for his 50th Man City goal in all compe- yellow-carded him for a high tackle on France center Gael Fickou.
titions. Moriarty’s exit left Wales at sixes and sevens, and France punished them in ruth-
The champions doubled their lead only 93 seconds later when David less fashion when Vakatawa crossed for their third try.
Silva volleyed in from Raheem Sterling’s exquisite chip over the Palace Ntamack converted to make it 19-10, and 14-man Wales were left hanging on, and
defense. they had a mountain to climb as Moriarty returned.
Jesus and Bernardo drew great saves from Wayne Hennessey as the visi- Ntamack went off at half-time and was replaced by Camille Lopez, but
tors tried to add to their lead in the second half. Vahaamahina was then sent off following a crass act of stupidity that left Peyper with
Crystal Palace were twice denied by brilliant Ederson saves, with the no choice but to brandish a red card.
Brazilian first tipping Christian Benteke’s header on to the crossbar before A Biggar penalty cut the gap to six points, and then came pulsating late drama as
he kept out Wilfried Zaha’s strike. C Wales triumphed. C