Wales' defeat by Iran has come in for some scathing criticism.
It wasn't just the loss, but the manner of the defeat which has caused ire across a three-million-strong, proud nation. The result leaves Wales' hopes of qualification dangling by a thin, precarious thread.
Here, we take a look at how the national newspapers covered the defeat...
READ MORE: Rob Page tells Wales players they got what they deserved and warns stars could now be dropped
Bale and Ramsey 'looked like tribute act' - The i
"Aaron Ramsey was a fabulous footballer several years ago and his recent international form made starting him against Iran entirely permissible. But his lack of mobility forced Ramsey to stay high up the pitch and, with Ethan Ampadu deep, Wales operated with the lesser-spotted zero-man central midfield. Iran ran the game.
"Gareth Bale was entirely ineffective, another 30-something who simply hasn’t looked fit; he too stayed on. That pair looked like a Euro 2016 tribute act with all the same ideas but with bodies that are no longer a viable framework for a dream to be weaved.
"When Page finally made changes, it was to take off Ampadu and not Ramsey. Cut to a defence having to push higher up the pitch to close the gaps, a long ball into the space catching them out and Wayne Hennessey committing a terrible foul.
"The sorry irony is that Wales waited so long to qualify for a World Cup and then didn’t have a squad that could showcase the country’s best when they got there. That is a source of regret. When your country has been talked down to, your football supporters hardwired into thinking that better was impossible and both revitalised by a surge of pride in a team that reflected the people it represented, falling short is never easy to swallow."
Aging stars 'raging against the dying of the light' - The Daily Mail
"Even the light warm-up left Gareth Bale red-faced with effort at the end of a week in which the hotel golf simulator had been too much for his back.
"What transpired then laid bare how the two jewels of this Welsh generation – he and Aaron Ramsey – are two men now raging against the dying of the light. They were bystanders, exchanging words occasionally. Totemic individuals for whom the others operated like worker bees to carve out a sliver of opportunity for them to demonstrate their genius.
"Bale, not so isolated as against the USA, drove down the byline to win a free-kick, in a position of jeopardy with the big Kieffer Moore in the six-yard box. But this was a pale imitation of the glorious summer of 2016 when those two gladiators took this nation to such incredible places."
'Wales were brutally exposed' - The Mirror
"After the ecstasy of reaching their first World Cup in 64 years, came the agony for Wales.
"Their ageing history boys were expected to bury Iran to move to within touching distance of qualification from Group B having scrambled a fortunate late draw against USA in their opener.
"Much of the talk pre match from Wales' players was of how many goals they would score, not whether they would even win. But Wales’ World Cup dream turned into a nightmare at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium as they crashed to a deserved defeat.
"Wales were brutally exposed by Iran, who cast aside the humiliation of their opening 6-2 loss to England. Rouzbeh Cheshmi lashed in a shot clocked at 40mph from outside the box which sparked a mini pitch invasion by Iran’s players and staff in injury-time.
"Then Ramin Rezaeian lofted in another to seal victory as some of the Red Wall were left in tears with their side on only a point and staring at an early exit."
'These players can only outrun time for so long' - The Telegraph
"Wayne Hennessey’s generation of Wales players, including his best friend Gareth Bale, have made a habit of exceeding expectations and staying defiant against the usual realities of this sport. Here, those realities caught up with them at last. These players can only outrun time and disregard physiological science for so long, before eventually the hill proves too steep and the task proves too great.
The emotions of football can swing at any moment, for any player, and for Hennessey the pain of his error will no doubt be as strong as the joy he felt in June, when he produced a phenomenal showing in their play-off against Ukraine. “The best performance I have ever seen from a goalkeeper,” said Bale of his friend that day.
"On afternoons such as those, Hennessey has appeared to be so much more than what his CV suggests. As if he was living a different life, and existing in a footballing fantasy. But in the real world he is a 35-year-old in the final days of his career, playing as a backup for Nottingham Forest."
Wales 'toothless and devoid of imagination' - The Express
"Wales have been good in major tournaments in the past. The memory of their terrific run to the quarter-finals of the European Championships in 2016, in particular, stands out.
"But Rob Page's men have looked toothless and devoid of imagination during the competition so far and, after this defeat, are now on the brink of crashing out.
"Wales managed just 10 shots against Iran, with three of those on target, despite dominating the ball prior to Wayne Hennessey's red card. They also managed to string together nearly double the amount of passes, too.
"Iran were always the team who looked likelier to score a winner, with the Middle Eastern side striking the woodwork twice and seeing another goal chalked off for offside before their quick-fire double.
"Wales will need to be at their best to beat England next time out but the brutal fact of the matter is that, from their two games at the tournament, they've not deserved to win either."
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