Republic of Ireland Beat Uruguay in 2017 Friendly After Edinson Cavani Injury

Jonathan Walters scored a spectacular first-half goal to help the Republic of Ireland beat Uruguay 3-1 in an international friendly at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

Jose Gimenez answered Walters' wonder goal with an equaliser seven minutes before halftime for Uruguay, who lost star striker Edinson Cavani to injury early on. Cyrus Christie put Ireland ahead for good six minutes after the break, while James McClean added a third with 13 minutes left.

Ireland fielded a strong squad loaded with Premier League talent, including Walters, Bournemouth playmaker Harry Arter and Stoke's Glenn Whelan, per FAIreland:

Meanwhile, Uruguay started Paris Saint-Germain goal machine Cavani, as well as Southampton defender Martin Caceres, per the national team's official Twitter account:

Ireland started brightly and went close twice in quick succession when Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady were denied. Uruguay looked sluggish out of the blocks and were hit with a blow when Cavani left the field injured to be replaced by Cristhian Stuani.

Football-Italia.net confirmed Cavani's withdrawal and what it could mean for Uruguay's next fixture:

With the visitors blunted in attack, Ireland took full advantage when Walters struck brilliantly on 27 minutes. The Stoke City forward blasted a shot high into the top corner from well outside the box.

In the process, Walters moved up the scoring charts for Ireland:

To their credit, Uruguay didn't buckle and were level after 38 minutes when Atletico Madrid defender Jimenez scored after collecting a pass from Aston Villa's Carlos Sanchez.

Wanting to see greater creativity from his side in the final third, Ireland boss Martin O'Neill introduced veteran schemer Wes Hoolahan off the bench at the break. The change proved an inspired one when the 35-year-old Norwich City playmaker picked out the overlapping Christie to net the winner.

Gimenez went close to another equaliser with a powerful header ahead of the final 20 minutes. Yet Ireland soon put the game out of sight when McClean scored their third in style on the break.

Michel Spingler/Associated Press

The West Bromwich Albion winger cut in off the left flank before curling home a well-hit drive. McClean's effort capped the scoring and put an exclamation point on an impressive display from O'Neill's side.

Ireland will now turn their attentions to next Sunday's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Austria.