Wales' 3-0 defeat to England is dominating the sports pages across the UK today, after Rob Page's side were dumped out of their first World Cup in 64 years after another disappointing showing in Qatar.
Here's what the UK media is saying.
The Telegraph (Jason Burt)
For Wales it is sadly over. Even reaching this tournament, for the first time since 1958, was a hugely proud achievement for a nation of just three million but trying to make it through to the knock-out stages proved a bridge too far.
Their team lacks quality, their stars are too old or injury-affected and while England will not gloat, the way Wales did when they were shockingly dumped out of Euro 2016 by Iceland in that leaked video, there was the quiet satisfaction of job done and therefore a small slice of revenge.
Southgate wanted to channel the emotion, not ignore it, and England did just that. Wales looked set up to attack – as they needed to win – but they did not even attempt it until the game was over. In fact if Wales had dropped any deeper they would have been in among the Red Wall of their supporters. It is not their fault. They just do not have the players or the depth.
The Guardian (David Hytner)
Wales knew only a win would do and a part of the equation for them was to move on from the shattering defeat against Iran – along with the overall feeling they had not really turned up at these finals. Rob Page had promised Wales would put on their “big boy pants” and he changed his approach, going with a back four. The wingers, Gareth Bale and Dan James, were under orders to protect the full-backs.
England hogged the ball from the first whistle, trying to work their patterns, to pull Wales out of their shape. But for long spells in the first half the movements were too slow, the tempo absent. It felt like possession for possession’s sake. There were some crossfield switches but Wales were happy to keep England in front of them. They were able to do so with a measure of comfort.
Wales barely crossed halfway before the interval. The onus was on England. Rashford hammered in a shot that Neco Williams bravely cleared with his head – the Wales defender would be forced off with a suspected concussion – and there was the comedy moment when Harry Maguire advanced and advanced before trying his luck. He shanked the shot out for a throw.
Wales went with a whimper, their first World Cup since 1958 the dampest of squibs. Apart from a deflected Kieffer Moore shot that Jordan Pickford kept out, they did not threaten.
BBC Sport (Phil McNulty)
Wales arrived in Qatar with real pride after qualifying for their first World Cup since 1958 but they must reflect on a poor campaign after England confirmed the formality of their elimination.
Page's side have always relied heavily on the inspiration provided by Bale and Aaron Ramsey but the two great figures of this fine era for Welsh football found this World Cup a step too far, with those around them simply not of the quality to make up for that deficit.
Bale's only meaningful contribution was the penalty that earned a draw against USA in their opening game but he contributed nothing in the damaging loss to Iran and was little more than a passenger in his 45 minutes against England.
Ramsey was no better and while the duo's magnificent contribution to Wales can never be under-estimated the brutal truth is that their lack of match sharpness left them unable to exert their usual influence on games.
Now the question is whether they will carry on with their international careers - or whether their country moves on without them.
It had the feel of the end of an era for Wales here on Tuesday. It is an era that has brought much joy, and was appreciated by their outstanding support after the final whistle, but this was a desperate anti-climax after reaching their first World Cup for 64 years.
Daily Mail (Martin Samuel)
This was about beating Wales and England were, frankly, a different class. We hear a lot about passion and emotion but talent matters, too. With Gareth Bale reaching the end of his international road, Wales no longer have a player that would make England’s team.
When the XI on one side of the team sheet do not have an individual capable of making the XI on the other side, that spells trouble.
So the first-half was a mismatch without goals, and the second a mismatch with them. Ultimately, the goalless draw with the United States was useful because at least England know what it is like to be in a tough game at this World Cup. The meetings with Iran and Wales – 9-2 on aggregate – were hardly preparation for Senegal at all.
It was only after Bale had been withdrawn that England scored but that is sadly no testament to Wales’ greatest player.
Wales were poor, and no arguing. Not in a defensive sense because with 11 back they were very tight. Yet they offered nothing. Not through Bale, not through the physical presence of Keifer Moore (sic).
The sole mitigation is that they didn’t have much luck early on when Neco Williams took a Rashford shot flush on the top of his head, as he stooped to clear. He was knocked backwards and referee Slavko Vincic immediately stopped the game. Williams tried to continue but 12 minutes later sat down and called for further treatment. He was unable to continue; suspected concussion. It was a tremendous blow. Roberts, of Burnley, continued in his place.
By the second-half, Wales had made another substitution and this was the big one. Bale, off. Ultimately, time and a season in which he has barely played 90 minutes caught up with him. It is hard to remember a contribution of significance in what is almost certain to be his final 45 minutes of international football, and that is a pity.
Bale found a way of inserting himself into Wales’ narrative in the first game at this tournament but, from there, no more. Rob Page, the coach, was even asked about starting him from the substitutes’ bench on the eve of this game. Maybe he wished he had. Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest came on but, within six minutes, was two goals down and like the rest of the Principality, heading home.
Sky Sports (Peter Smith)
Wales, who needed a win and a helpful result in the other group game to continue their first World Cup adventure since 1958, did well to limit their opponents in the first half but never really threatened to spring the upset required. Their first shot came in first-half stoppage time and only a deflected long-range effort from Kieffer Moore made Jordan Pickford work in the England goal.
Gareth Bale managed just seven touches in that opening 45 minutes and was forced off with a hamstring injury at the break in what may prove to have been his final major tournament appearance for his country. He insisted afterwards he hoped to carry on but his next step will be a key talking point as Wales reflect on an impressive achievement to reach Qatar but also a bottom-place finish in the group and a first major tournament in which they have failed to win a match.
It was a painful night for the Welsh, who also lost Davies and Allen to injury - but England can now look ahead, optimistic of another major tournament run under Southgate.
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