Republic of Ireland 0-0 Wales: Player Ratings as Ten-Man Hosts Labour to Uninspiring Stalemate

Ireland laboured to a 0-0 draw at home to Wales on Sunday afternoon's Nations League group stage encounter.

After the disappointment of Thursday's play-off clash, a bout of COVID-19 in the Ireland camp further hampered Stephen Kenny's preparations, who then saw Kevin Long forced off with injury and James McClean dismissed late on in an uneventful clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Goalless is how it finished and was, on the balance of play, a fair result. Here are your player ratings.

Republic of Ireland Player Ratings

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Darren Randolph (GK) - 5/10 - Was very lucky to avoid giving a penalty away in the first half when the decision bizarrely went the other way.

Matt Doherty (RB) - 5/10 - Switched to central defence after Long's withdrawal, thus wasting his attacking qualities. Ireland didn't have much choice, however.

Kevin Long (CB) - 6/10 - Forced off early with a nasty gash on his eye that swelled up to the point he couldn't continue. Saw plenty of the ball prior.

Shane Duffy (CB) - 6/10 - Kenny encourages Ireland to play out from Duffy, who tried his best but couldn't inspire much from where he was.

Enda Stevens (LB) - 6/10 - Given the 3/4 pressing and break-up play both teams opted for, crosses into the box were key. Stevens produced a few, one of which Long bottled.

2. Midfielders

Jayson Molumby (CM) - 6/10 - The Brighton youngster impressed when on the ball, in an area that was devoid of invention throughout.

Conor Hourihane (CM) - 6/10 - His delivery from dead balls caused a few concerns in the Wales defence, although Ireland failed to capitalise on them.

Jeff Hendrick (CM) - 5/10 - Playing just off Long, considering the striker did nothing you can rightly presume the same applied to Hendrick.

3. Forwards

Robbie Brady (RW) - 5/10 - Had a good shooting opportunity in the first half you'd expect him to score from. The occasional delivery was alright.

Shane Long (ST) - 4/10 - Whatever touch of the ball he had was in harmless positions. Guess what he did do though? Run the channels! Wasted a glorious chance in the second period as well.

James McClean (LW) - 3/10 - It speaks volumes of the quality of the match that McClean's best work was done in defensive positions. Classic McClean though, getting himself sent off.

4. Substitutes

Cyrus Christie - 6/10

Daryl Horgan - 7/10

Sean Maguire - 5/10

Josh Cullen - N/A

Wales Player Ratings

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Wayne Hennessey (GK) - 6/10 - Solid enough from set pieces and deliveries in the box, otherwise had little to do.

Connor Roberts (RB) - 5/10 - Rarely ever got beyond Wilson but kept McClean at bay for most of the afternoon.

Ethan Ampadu (CB) - 7/10 - Ampadu continues to show why he deserving of regular Premier League football. It wasn't a display to set the pulses racing, but the assurance he offers the back four is undeniable.

Joe Rodon (CB) - 6/10 - Was solid enough alongside Ampadu in restricting Ireland creating anything through the middle.

Ben Davies (LB) - 7/10 - He's not going to wrestle his place back from Sergio Reguilon at Spurs, but Davies is nevertheless a solid left-back.

6. Midfielders

Matthew Smith (CM) - 6/10 - A lively enough display from the 20-year-old, although most of his work was done tracking back as opposed to carrying the ball forward.

Aaron Ramsey (AM) - 6/10 - Had some neat touches as you'd expect, but spent much of the match isolated without midfield runners either side.

Joe Morrell (CM) - 5/10 - Wasn't afraid to get stuck in but played a few poor passes that broke down Welsh moves in the final third.

7. Forwards

Harry Wilson (RW) - 5/10 - Not much joy for Wilson in a very pragmatic display from both sides that yielded little in the way of goalmouth action.

Kieffer Moore (ST) - 5/10 - Starved of service (as most forwards were), with the balls being played to his feet. Was visibly asking for passes he could run on to, he just never got them.

Daniel James (LW) - 4/10 - Same with Moore, all the passes for Wales were to feet, an area that James struggles in. No use having roadrunner like pace only to be a bystander in the middle third.

8. Substitutes

Dylan Levitt - 5/10

Neco Williams - 6/10

David Brooks - 6/10