Ashley Williams’ crucial error handed Ireland the victory and brought a brutal end to Wales’ World Cup hopes.
While Gareth Bale has been the hero and the talisman of Welsh football for the last few years, Ashley Williams is as much a legend in the eyes of supporters.
Therefore, the centre-back’s crucial mistake in Wales’ 1-0 home defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, a mistake that ended Chris Coleman’s sides hopes of a first World Cup since 1958, was a truly heartbreaking moment.
Williams gave possession away when attempting to play out from the back and, a few agonising seconds later, the ball nestled in the corner of the Wales net via a superb strike from James McClean.
Though Everton fans will tell you that such a glaring error would not have come as a surprise. Williams, one of the Premier League’s finest defenders at Swansea City and a player who cost £12 million only a year ago (Sky Sports), has declined astonishingly in the last few months.
His performances for the Goodison Park club have become increasingly erratic – to the point where supporters are begging for Ronald Koeman to remove the veteran defender from the firing line.
And another high-profile mistake certainly does not do Williams’ reputation any good with the longevity of the 33-year-old now in serious doubt.
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