Last night in Dublin, Wales defeated the Republic of Ireland 1-0 thanks to Harry Wilson’s stunning free kick in the 58th minute. The win put the Dragons at the top of UEFA Nations League B Group 4, and a victory over Denmark in Cardiff on Nov. 16 would see the nation promoted to League A — an achievement that would make Ryan Giggs’ early tenure as boss a resounding success.
And while Ireland manager Martin O’Neill is now feeling the pressure and claiming that his side “lack a bit of technical ability,” the Welsh boss is busy comparing Wilson to former Manchester United teammate David Beckham.
“It’s a special talent to be able to do that,” Giggs said. “He does it all the time in training. I have seen David Beckham over the years with his free kicks and it’s all about practice, practice, practice, and Harry does that as well.”
1 - Other than Gareth Bale, who had scored each of Wales' last five direct free-kicks goals in competitive matches, Harry Wilson is the first Welshman to score such a goal since Aaron Ramsey back in October 2009 against Liechtenstein. Peach. #IRLWAL pic.twitter.com/nDNOt5trUy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 16, 2018
The 21-year-old’s latest heroics mark his second international goal in six caps, and the Derby Country player (on loan from Liverpool) has certainly experienced something of a meteoric rise this season.
Previously, he was perhaps best known for becoming the youngest ever player to gain a Wales cap, edging out Gareth Bale by over 100 days, and winning his grandfather $164K in the process.
Not quite as good as Harry Wilson's grandad who stuck £50 on him to get a Wales cap at some point in his career when he was just 18 months old.
At 2,500/1 he won £125k pic.twitter.com/zsnWFvq6Z2— TeamFA (@TeamFA) March 22, 2018
But on Sept. 25, his devilish free kick against Manchester United and subsequent conversion in the penalty shootout helped Frank Lampard’s Derby bounce Jose Mourinho’s men from the EFL Cup, and the player’s quality was beamed across the planet.
What a hit @harrywilson_ get in son#Freekick #Derby #LFC #Comehome pic.twitter.com/mjVKm2in7I
— FRBP (@FRBP2018) September 26, 2018
"As soon as I hit it, I had a feeling." - @HarryWilson_
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) September 27, 2018
Wilson is on a season-long loan at Derby, and although there’s no recall clause in the deal, there’s also no option for Derby to make the move permanent following the season. As such, he would appear to be apart of Jurgen Klopp’s future plans at Anfield.
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