YELLOW! Meyler will miss the first leg of the play-off. He thunders after the ball in the Wales half and clatters Hennessey.
90' +5
McClean, booked moments earlier, fouls Jonny Williams. No second yellow card, but Wales have a free-kick.
That sums up the day for Wales. Lawrence drills the free-kick beyond everyone for a throw-in.
90' +4
ELSEWHERE: Serbia have won and they are in the draw for the World Cup finals. Croatia are heading for the play-offs. For now, at least, so are Ireland.
SAVE! Wales surely cannot qualify now - and they cannot deny Ireland either. Ramsey volleys straight at Randolph.
90' +3
Ireland clear the free-kick yet again! A long ball returns and Randolph sees it behind for a goal kick.
90' +2
K. Long enters the game and replaces D. Murphy.
J. McClean gets yellow.
SUB! Murphy, who has put in a thankless shift, makes way for Kevin Long. Ireland are clinging on.
YELLOW! McClean takes two swipes at the ball and the second catches Ramsey. Yellow card.
90' +1
There will be five additional minutes...
89'
D. Randolph gets yellow.
Another corner! Ramsey is closed down.
The ball drops for Randolph to shoot, but Meyler blocks. Another cross looks to be Randolph's until he's fouled by Chester. Free-kick to Ireland. They breathe again.
YELLOW! Randolph is slow with the free-kick and goes into the book for timewasting.
88'
BLOCK! What a block from McClean! Ledley's deep cross reaches Jonny Williams, but his header is blocked en route to goal by McClean. Outstanding.
Corner to Wales as Meyler fails to keep the ball in play...
Minute
Description
86'
Clark and Duffy have won everything at the back, but McClean, the goalscorer, has been superb. He continues to sprint towards the corners in the Wales half.
85'
It's so tense now as Wales propel cross after cross into the Ireland box. The visitors clear and Ward then wins a free-kick by the corner flag. Great defending again.
84'
There's a chance now for Wales, though. Duffy's foul presents a 25-yard free-kick in a central position...
Oh, it's poor, so poor, from Ramsey. He lifts the free-kick up, up and over. More jeers follow from the away end.
83'
Ireland have done a fantastic job at closing this game out. Whelan is all the way up in the Wales half chasing down the ball.
81'
Ireland are camped in their own box but Wales, so far, have failed to forge a breakthrough. Woodburn crosses and Randolph takes the ball again.
80'
The Wales fans have found their voice again. The home players need something, anything. Randolph claims another cross.
79'
C. Clark gets yellow.
YELLOW! Irish tempers flare as Jonny Williams fouls Meyler. Clark is booked for his complaints.
78'
Ramsey runs the ball out of play on the right. The Ireland fans jeer. Wales are running out of time.
77'
G. Whelan enters the game and replaces H. Arter.
SUB! And here comes Whelan, in place of Arter.
The Welsh fans feel the visiting players are feigning injuries here. There is more frustration as Arter becomes the latest to go down. Glenn Whelan readies himself.
76'
AS THINGS STAND: Serbia are heading through. Croatia and Ireland will both currently reach the play-offs. Slovakia would miss out.
75'
Wales are throwing men forward now, but Ireland's back line continues to defend bravely. Randolph spills a cross but recovers.
74'
ELSEWHERE: And Serbia have also scored. It would take a huge turnaround to see them miss out on qualification now.
73'
ELSEWHERE: Croatia have a second. We need a winner here; Ireland remain on track as they defend a Wales attack.
72'
D. Murphy gets yellow.
YELLOW! Murphy goes into the book as he catches Ramsey with a stray arm.
71'
S. Vokes enters the game and replaces H. Robson-Kanu.
SUB! This is slightly surprising. Wales need two goals and yet, in their final change, they replace one forward with another.
CLOSE! Lawrence brilliantly tees up Ramsey on the edge of the area, but the Arsenal man curls over the crossbar. That was a chance for a player of his quality.
70'
Hendrick receives treatment, but he looks to be fit to continue. Vokes is coming on for Wales...
69'
CHANCE! A difficult one for Robson-Kanu, but he met Ramsey's cross and could only nod over the top. Hendrick remains down.
68'
The Wales fans are frustrated as an Irish player goes down following a challenge, but the hosts ignore the prone man and continue with their attack.
66'
And so the tables have really turned here. Ireland, who had to win, lead and Wales cannot even afford to draw as things stand. Are we in for a dramatic finale?
65'
B. Woodburn enters the game and replaces A. King.
BLOCK! Davies is back on the pitch and quickly on the attack, shooting hard and low. Duffy blocks and Randolph prevents the corner.
SUB! Wales have looked to Ben Woodburn in times of trouble in recent matches. They need him now as he replaces King.
ELSEWHERE: Croatia have scored in Ukraine. That does not affect Ireland right now, but a Wales equaliser here would now see both sides go out.
64'
Davies, like Allen earlier, appeared to be sandwiched between two challenges. He looks to be fine to continue, however.
63'
Brady's corner only reaches McClean on the far side, but play is held up as Davies remains down after a whack to the head. Frustration for Ireland.
62'
Outstanding from Murphy! McClean smashes the ball long and the Ireland forward races in behind, shooting for goal and winning a corner from Ashley Williams.
60'
The Wales fans, hoping to lift their players, belt out the national anthem. They are heading out...
AS THINGS STAND: There are still no goals in Serbia, while the Ukraine v Croatia result does not matter as long as either Wales or Ireland lead. It is O'Neill's men who are currently heading for the play-offs.
57'
J. McClean has scored a goal for Republic of Ireland! Assist by J. Hendrick.
Hendrick deserves great credit for that goal. He stole the ball from Ashley Williams, worked hard to keep the ball in play on the right and crossed for McClean. Superb.
GOAL! That's a huge, huge goal and it's gone the way of McClean and Ireland! He's waiting in the centre for a right-wing cross and thunders a strike beyond a static Hennessey. 0-1.
56'
Frustration for Wales this time as Lawrence is penalised for shrugging off Meyler's challenge. The Derby County man, a match-winner against Georgia, has been brilliant so far.
54'
Clark clears towards Murphy, who flicks on to Brady. He teases a pass into Arter on the edge of the box, who looks to be fouled but there's no free-kick given. Wales escape.
53'
The corner also picks out a Welsh head, but Randolph is not troubled this time. Coleman's men are firmly on top now.
SAVE! Randolph keeps Ireland in with a shout with a sublime stop! Robson-Kanu's header was arrowing in, from a Jonny Williams cross, until the goalkeeper saves.
51'
Corner to Wales! A stunning defensive header from Ward sees the ball reach Gunter, whose cross is deflected behind.
CLOSE! Some home fans thought Chester had scored! The corner drops some distance short of the near post, but the defender is able to angle a header back towards the target and into the sidenetting. So close.
50'
McClean cuts inside and shoot, but James Chester blocks. Although the ball breaks for Brady, Ireland's momentum slows and Lawrence wins possession and then a foul.
49'
Wales steal the ball on the right, but Robson-Kanu mistimes his run and is out of position when the pass comes.
47'
Ireland's threat has so far come from set-pieces and Duffy twice wins headers from a Brady free-kick. Hennessey gathers comfortably.
46'
KICK-OFF: Robson-Kanu gets us started again ahead of a huge 45 minutes!
45' +3
HALF-TIME: Wales 0 Republic of Ireland 0.
45' +2
SAVE! Clark drills a fine ball up to Murphy, who flicks on to Brady. He cuts inside and shoots straight at Hennessey.
45' +1
There will be two minutes of additional time in this first half.
45'
Ashley Williams fouls Murphy, giving Brady an opportunity to deliver a free-kick. Clark claims for a foul as the ball comes in, but Hennessey takes the ball.
44'
Wales have the ball, but there's no real urgency. This is a nervy, tetchy game and we still wait on a moment of real quality.
42'
Ward crosses from the left and King slices his clearance straight up in the air. He's relieved to see McClean's headed control run behind.
41'
That culminates in a Duffy long ball, which is dealt with, but Ireland soon have the ball back on the left-hand side.
40'
Ireland are enjoying some possession now, moving the ball with confidence.
39'
CHANCE! Not an easy one for Davies, but he would have hoped to do better. Clark slices Jonny Williams' cross behind and Ledley delivers the corner, picking out Davies, who swipes over the top.
38'
Lawrence wins a ball in the Ireland box, nudging it into the path of King. Ward is there first and eases the Leicester City man out of possession.
37'
J. Williams enters the game and replaces J. Allen.
SUB! Sunderland's Jonny Williams is on for Allen.
Ashley Williams superbly picks out Davies on the left, but a heavy touch allows Christie to nip in. The ball goes out of play and now Wales can make their change.
36'
Wales keep the ball as Jonny Williams prepares to come on...
34'
Allen, dazed after McClean pushed him into a challenge, slowly wanders to the side of the pitch with the physios. It looks like he's going to have to come off here. A huge blow for Wales!
33'
Red shirts descend on the referee again after McClean and Meyler conspire to foul Allen. The Wales man needs attention, but there is no card for either Irish player.
31'
CLOSE! Superb footwork from Clark in the area, keeping an attack going after a free-kick and squeezing a pass through for defensive partner Duffy. A low drive skids just wide.
AS THINGS STAND: There are still no goals in the other key games. Wales remain on course for the play-offs.
30'
The Welsh crowd are getting a little frustrated with fouls going against the home side. Appeals for challenges at the other end have been waved away.
28'
Murphy really has been quiet. He shakes his head after finally winning a flick-on and seeing the offside flag go up.
27'
Christie is a booking away from suspension, but he escapes a caution for a late challenge on Andy King. Ramsey's free-kick is gathered by Randolph.
26'
Arter challenges Lawrence and feeds McClean on the left. Running out of space, however, the West Brom winger's low cross is gathered by Ramsey.
25'
SAVE! Lawrence scored a fine individual goal against Georgia and this time goes for a spectacular strike from distance. Randolph is behind the shot.
23'
Ireland seize possession in midfield and Brady pushes a pass into Christie's path on the right. Davies blocks well and Wales get numbers back for a long throw...
CHANCE! After a flick at the near post, the ball reaches Hendrick at the far side of the box. He sidefoots tamely into the crowd, though, and the ball won't drop for Murphy.
22'
Murphy has hardly had a kick so far for the visitors. The latest long ball up towards the Nottingham Forest forward escapes him as well.
21'
Clark gets to the set-piece as well, leading to a second corner. This one is taken short and Randolph claims Ramsey's cross.
20'
BLOCK! The ball falls kindly for Allen on the edge of the box and Clark dives into a challenge. Corner...
19'
Brady cannot believe a foul is given against him as he appears to win the ball from Ben Davies. The free-kick comes to nothing, though.
18'
Brady's corner just evades two team-mates in the middle, finally reaching Jeff Hendrick for a wild drive high into the night sky.
17'
The consequent free-kick is cleared, but Meyler finds McClean on the left and he whips in a superb low ball. Williams clears. Corner...
16'
J. Allen gets yellow.
YELLOW! Allen, one of the few Welsh players who could afford a booking, collects a yellow card for a thumping challenge on Meyler
15'
Joe Ledley's corner is deep, towards the far post, but Randolph claims well.
AS THINGS STAND: Both Serbia v Georgia and Ukraine v Croatia remain 0-0 after quarter of an hour. Wales are currently heading for the play-offs.
14'
Corner to Wales! Gunter attacks again, overrunning the ball and giving Ward the opportunity to clear. The Ireland defender slices horribly behind.
13'
Crucial from Duffy! He clatters Lawrence, knocking the ball only as far as Allen, who he then tackles as the Stoke City man looks set to make a killer pass.
12'
Gunter appears to be Wales' chief outlet on the right, but Ciaran Clark twice deals with attacks down that flank in quick succession.
11'
Meyler fouls Ramsey on halfway, with Ireland slow to give the ball back while their defence regroups. That frantic early tempo has slowed a little.
9'
And now Ireland attack. Christie makes a fine burst through the middle before looking right to Brady, but the cross is too deep for both Murphy and McClean.
8'
SAVE! Ramsey benefits from a loose ball as the referee plays advantage on a foul and he thumps for goal, with Darren Randolph expertly tipping over the top.
Ireland look to have dealt with the corner until McClean gives the ball away. Back come Wales again, but Robson-Kanu prods a mishit pass behind for a goal kick.
7'
Ramsey and Allen are seeing a lot of the ball in the middle of midfield and that will suit Wales...
6'
Ireland have yet to really make any progress up the field. Brady thumps the ball long, but Murphy, ageing and never the quickest, does not even look to chase down the hopeful smash.
5'
Wales have the early possession and Ireland are packing numbers behind the ball. McClean clatters into a challenge on the left.
3'
CHANCE! Wales pile up in front of the Ireland back line and Robson-Kanu dashes to the front post to meet the set-piece, heading just over. He wanted another corner.
2'
Corner to Wales! Meyler nods Gunter's cross behind after good play in the middle from Lawrence and Aaron Ramsey.
1'
KICK-OFF: Ireland's Murphy gets us under way!
After 40 seconds of the ball pinging around the midfield, Robson-Kanu sets off down the left. Duffy's pressure sees the Wales forward run out of pitch.
Hello and welcome to our live text commentary of the crucial World Cup qualifying clash between Wales and the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff!
Wales are currently second in Group D heading into this final game, with Ireland a point behind in third. There is a catch, however, in that Chris Coleman's men must win to guarantee themselves a play-off place; a draw could see the hosts end the campaign as the worst runners-up in the UEFA section.
And to add a further complication: both Wales and Ireland can both still overturn pool leaders Serbia - who play Georgia in Belgrade - and qualify automatically. A tense 90 minutes await.
Let's get the team news from our featured clash...
Wales are, of course, without the injured Gareth Bale. Tom Lawrence was their hero last time out, in Georgia, and he starts again, while Hal Robson-Kanu replaces Sam Vokes in the hosts' only change.
While Coleman's side need a victory here, Wales have a poor record against today's visitors. They have won just one of their last 10 meetings with the Irish, also winning only once at home in the history of this fixture.
The two sides drew 0-0 in Dublin back in March, with Neil Taylor - on the bench today - sent off for an awful challenge on Seamus Coleman that continues to keep the Ireland captain out with a broken leg.
Will there be any consequent bad blood here? Surely the stakes are too high for Martin O'Neill's side to take their eye off the ball...
The players are in the tunnel. The Cardiff City Stadium is rocking!
And here they come! Ashley Williams and David Meyler lead the two teams out.
The Irish anthem is first, momentarily silencing a raucous home crowd as the visiting fans come to the fore.
And now the Welsh follow. The music is cut short, as it was in Georgia, allowing the home crowd - among them Bale - to belt out the end of the anthem.
Ireland welcome back Robbie Brady and James McClean - suspended for the visit of Moldova - as in-form Daryl Murphy keeps his place, after two vital goals on Friday. Harry Arter is brought in, too. Wes Hoolahan, Callum O'Dowda and the injured Shane Long miss out.
Wales have eight starters who are one booking away from a costly suspension; only Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter and Joe Allen are exempt. Ireland have five at risk: Cyrus Christie, Shane Duffy, Stephen Ward, Meyler and Arter.
Ramsey has come closest for the hosts, with a brilliant drive well saved by Randolph, but Ireland have also had half-chances. Hendrick should have done better when the ball dropped kindly in the area.
Overall, though, it has not been a great first half. Both teams are playing with a nervousness, aware that any mistake could be costly.
AS THINGS STAND: There are 0-0s across the board in the games that matter. This remains a dangerous scoreline for Wales, though, as a goal either way in Ukraine v Croatia could see the winning side go through. Ireland, of course, must win to reach the play-offs.
Ireland are in the play-offs after an outstanding win in Wales! The hosts, semi-finalists at Euro 2016, will not be at the World Cup.
McClean was the hero with a superb goal, but there were heroes all over the pitch. The back four were outstanding, as was Meyler, captain in the middle.
The Ireland players are celebrating in front of the visiting fans. There are tears in the home end. What a dramatic 97 minutes.
Heartbreak for Wales and, elsewhere, for Slovakia too. Neither side have reached the play-offs. Croatia and Ireland have. Serbia are in the finals draw.
That's all from Cardiff, where Ireland have secured a World Cup play-off place. They now await the draw to see who they will face. Thanks for joining us and, until next time, goodbye!
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