14.11.2021 at 19:45 Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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Attendance: |
Luxembourg |
0 - 3
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Republic of Ireland |
Referee: Tamás Bognár |
World Cup Qualifier-match |
The Republic of Ireland ended their World Cup qualification campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Luxembourg in the Stade de Luxembourg.
15th Nov 2021
Goals from Shane Duffy, Chiedozie Ogbene and Callum Robinson paved the way to a very confident victory that ended the campaign. Jason Knight was influential in Ireland's victory along with Gavin Bazunu as he once again pulled off a world-class save to earn a clean sheet.
Stephen Kenny made two changes from the side that drew against Portugal. Adam Idah and James McClean came into the side in place of Jamie McGrath and Enda Stevens. The home side exerted some early pressure with Maxime Chanot and Gerson Rodrigues made advances on Gavin Bazunu’s goal but the Irish defence with Shane Duffy leading the line holding firm to clear the danger.
Callum Robinson forced Ralph Schon into a fine save as his half volley on the edge of the area had the keeper at full stretch to deny Ireland an early goal. Ireland continued to press Luxembourg with Chiedozie Ogbene and Robinson once more having sights on the goal with Robinson’s free-kick taking a deflection for a corner.
Moments later Gavin Bazunu made an excellent save denying Olivier Thill whose long-range effort took a deflection en route to Bazunu pushing it around the post for a corner. Ireland continued to press forward and a cross from James McClean met Adam Idah who tried to guide the ball in at the back post but it was deflected for a corner.
Ogbene forced another save from Schon as the ball fell to the Ireland striker in the area and his well-struck effort had to be tipped over the bar for another Irish corner. John Egan nearly opened the Ireland account right on halftime as his header from a Josh Cullen corner was once again stopped by Schon.
After the interval, Ireland started very brightly with Idah creating a clever attempt on goal following a well-placed cross by Jeff Hendrick. Bazunu was called upon once again as a loose ball fell came to Rodrigues but the curling effort was stopped by the Irish custodian.
Matt Doherty struck an effort from range but his effort went high over the bar. Danel Sinani looked as if he had put the hosts in front but his goal was disallowed following a foul on Shane Duffy in the build-up.
Ireland continued to try and break into the Luxembourg defence with James McClean forcing Schon to put the ball behind for a corner as his cross into the area evaded everyone with the keeper alert to the danger of the pace of the ball.
Ireland’s opened the scoring midway through the second half as a Josh Cullen free kick was excellent with Shane Duffy on hand to head the ball home from close range to score his eighth goal for his country.
Ireland added a second as Jason Knight and Jeff Hendrick instrumental in the move slotted the ball into Chiedozie Ogbene who did brilliantly to slide the ball under Schon. Callum Robinson almost added a third as the ball fell to him following a poor defensive clearance that Schon was forced to block down.
He was to get this goal after a fantastic cross into the area from James McClean was knocked into his path with a clever pass by Jason Knight for Robinson to slot it home to seal the tie.
Luxembourg: Ralph Schon (GK), Maxime Chanot, Vahid Selimovic, Christopher Martins Pereira (Sébastien Thill), Danel Sinani, Gerson Rodrigues, Yvandro Borges Sanches (Maurice Deville 51), Olivier Thill, Leandro Barreiro, Michael Pinto, Laurent Jans ©.
Subs not used: Tim Kips (GK), Thimoty Martin (GK), Florian Bohnert, Kevin Malget, Diogo Pimentel, Eric Veiga, Maurice Deville, Aldin Skenderovic, Mathias Olesen, Michael Omosanya.
Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu, Seamus Coleman ©, Shane Duffy, John Egan, Josh Cullen (Conor Hourihane 89), Callum Robinson (Andrew Omobamidele 89), Adam Idah (Jason Knight 61), Matt Doherty (Troy Parrott 89), James McClean, Jeff Hendrick, Chiedozie Ogbene (Alan Browne 81).
Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher (GK), Mark Travers (GK), Enda Stevens, Nathan Collins, Jamie McGrath, William Keane, Callum O’Dowda, Andrew Omobamidele. Booked: Vahid Selimovic, Christopher Martins, Josh Cullen, Shane Duffy, Jason Knight
Player of the Match: Chiedozie Ogbene Referee: Tamás Bognár (HUN) Attendance: 9,260 |
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