Ireland 3-0 Gibraltar
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
With Stephen Kenny under pressure, this is truly a must-win game for the hosts.
A draw or defeat would almost certainly spell the end of Kenny’s spell in charge, as well as killing off any faint hope that remains of Ireland qualifying automatically from the group.
However, the Irish side are heavy favourites to prevail and there is no reason to believe they won’t treat their fans to a rare routine win.
Gibraltar are currently 201st in the Fifa rankings and widely regarded as one of the weakest sides in Europe.
In their three matches so far, they have been beaten by the same scoreline — 3-0 — by Greece, Netherlands and France.
So anything other than an Irish victory is unthinkable really.
Confirmation of the Irish team to start tonight…
STARTING XI | Ireland v Gibraltar
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 19, 2023
James McClean (C) confirmed in the side who will now claim his 100th cap tonight as Michael Obafemi comes into the side 😍
Jamie McGrath comes into midfield and Dara O'Shea slots in defence with kick-off at 7.45pm 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/JU4lfcuuUZ
Stephen Kenny gives his thoughts on James McClean ahead of the game…
🗣️ “His commitment to Ireland has been unequivocal & he gets his reward tonight.”
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 19, 2023
Ireland Manager Stephen Kenny gives his thoughts ahead of kick-off as James McClean prepares to become Ireland’s latest Centurion 🙌 #COYBIG | #IRLGIB pic.twitter.com/sarkvJVdiy
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Bright start for Ireland.
Straight away, Knight’s cross is met by McGrath, whose low shot is comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.
Knight has started really well.
Another low cross forces Ronan to nervously clear the ball out for a corner.
A stray pass from Josh Cullen leads to a few groans.
The first sign of nervousness perhaps, though Ireland have started this game at a good tempo and are on the front foot.
It seems it’s never too early to be time-wasting.
Coleing, the Gibraltar goalkeeper, has just taken an age with his goal kick.
McClean’s attempted cross goes straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.
After a good start, Ireland have lost a little bit of momentum.
McClean puts in a dangerous corner that Collins narrowly fails to get a proper connection on.
The defender claims his run was impeded but the officials ignore his protests.
Moments later, Dara O’Shea attempts a pot shot, but it’s straight at the goalkeeper.
After a rare Gibraltar attack, Ireland break.
The lively Jason Knight is the architect again, but Obafemi can’t make proper contact with his dangerous low cross.
Ferguson tries a shot from the edge of the area that Coleing saves with relative ease.
Plenty of patient build-up play from Ireland so far, but no breakthrough.
Gibraltar are defending well and in numbers.
McClean puts a good cross in for Ferguson, who can’t direct his header goalwards.
That’s probably the hosts’ best chance of the match so far.
Obafemi makes a bursting run forward but just loses control of the ball as he edges towards goal.
That sums up a frustrating opening half an hour — Ireland have found themselves in good positions but just let themselves down with their final action.
Good run by McClean.
He shows impressive pace for a 34-year-old, beating two players before being cynically taken down by Sergeant, who receives a booking.
Another dangerous corner is played in by McClean.
Egan gets a touch on it but can’t steer it goalwards.
Ireland are certainly threatening, but not to the extent that the goalkeeper has been forced into a string of terrific saves.
Gibraltar have been forced into an injury-related early substitution.
Their captain Roy Chipolina has been replaced by Aymen Mouelhi.
Ferguson holds it up well on the edge of the area before laying it off to McGrath.
The midfielder’s powerful attempt is then tipped over by Coleing.
Ireland’s attacks are starting to feel a little predictable.
It looks like we’re going in scoreless at the break.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 0-0 GIBRALTAR
Interestingly, the Gibraltar players appear to have had a mini half-time team talk on the pitch.
Ireland had 69% possession in that first half and 11 attempts to Gibraltar’s one.
So 0-0 at half-time and it’s been a frustrating watch.
Despite the presence of the likes of Will Smallbone and Jamie McGrath in the team, Ireland’s attack has looked laboured at times and they have struggled to break down a diligent Gibraltar backline.
They’ve had a couple of decent half-chances, without regularly testing opposition goalkeeper Coleing.
Jason Knight started brightly on the right but faded as the half wore on, while McClean has produced a couple of decent deliveries but Ireland need more on both flanks.
Obafemi and Ferguson have both been on the periphery of the game and a few bright moments aside, have struggled to make a real impact.
The next 45 minutes are huge for Stephen Kenny — this feels like the ideal game for Mikey Johnstone, one of the few Irish players capable of beating opponents.
Ireland have made a change at half-time.
Mikey Johnstone is on for Nathan Collins, which presumably means they’ll switch to a back four.
Gibraltar also make a change, as Sergeant is replaced by Tjay De Barr.
The second half is underway.
Nice link-up play involving Johnston, Obafemi and Smallbone.
The Celtic man’s shot is eventually deflected off target.
From the ensuing corner, Smallbone finds Egan, whose header is well over the bar.
IRELAND 1-0 GIBRALTAR (JOHNSTON 53)
Johnston makes a swift impact after coming on.
Ireland win a free kick on the very edge of the area for Lopes’ deliberate handball.
Smallbone’s free kick is blocked but it deflects kindly for Johnston, who converts simply from close range.
Another change for Ireland.
Troy Parrott replaces Michael Obafemi, who has been quiet this evening and looks to be feeling an injury as he comes off.
IRELAND 2-0 GIBRALTAR (FERGUSON 59)
Ireland can properly relax now.
After patient build-up play, McClean produces an excellent cross for Ferguson.
The Brighton man heads powerfully into the corner of the net for his second Ireland goal.
Suddenly the mood has completely lifted in this stadium.
And the Irish players are playing as if a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
Ireland 1-0 Gibraltar - Mikey Johnston makes an big impact off the bench, finishing from close range after a deflected freekick.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 19, 2023
📺 Watch: https://t.co/JYf06csIye
📻 Listen: https://t.co/dVJTUVZZpa
📷 Follow: https://t.co/O8l1PkdPQa pic.twitter.com/lWyElTXD8y
And here’s the second…
Ireland 2-0 Gibraltar - Evan Ferguson heads home after some fine Irish build-up play and suddenly the mood has turned at the Aviva Stadium.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 19, 2023
📺 Watch: https://t.co/JYf06csIye
📻 Listen: https://t.co/dVJTUVZZpa
📷 Follow: https://t.co/O8l1PkdPQa pic.twitter.com/uBzVeNSPQA
Smallbone slips through Parrott.
However, the Spurs man’s finish is too close to the goalkeeper.
Moments later, both Johnston and Cullen force saves from Coleing with efforts from a distance.
Bit of a nervy moment for Ireland.
Egan loses it on the edge of the area before De Barr’s shot is deflected out for a corner.
From the ensuing set piece, Bazunu makes a save after it appears to come off the foot of O’Shea last.
Ireland make another change. Browne, who some people expected to start tonight, comes on for Smallbone.
For Gibraltar, Scott Ballantine replaces Ethan Britto.
Johnston crosses but it goes straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.
The sense that Ireland have this game won is emphasised by the fact that a Mexican wave is currently underway.
As I type, Johnston shoots just wide from a tight angle.
McClean shoots over with the goal at his mercy after a really well-worked passing move.
The same player takes the ensuing corner, which is headed against the crossbar by Jamie McGrath at the near post.
Very close!
Browne’s cross finds Ferguson, but the goalkeeper gets down well to keep his powerful header out.
It looks like Browne will switch to right-nack so Hendrick can be accommodated in midfield.
Ferguson deservedly received a very warm reception for his efforts.
Jason Knight has just been named Ireland’s man of the match.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time.
IRELAND 3-0 GIBRALTAR (IDAH 90)
It’s another great cross from McClean.
Idah is totally unmarked and puts an unstoppable header into the corner of the net.
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 3-0 GIBRALTAR
Seems like a sound man! He’s no Brian though…! Jasus Brian’s great!!! When’s Brian’s birthday?
if you were as big a Brian fan as you say you are then you’d know…
You left off his battle cry as the teams left the field at half time vs New Zealand in November. One of his best moments.
Good one paddy. Cant believe hes only 28. Seems like hes been around forever!!
Absolute Kearnage!!
Think pic no 5 is wrong. That or the kit was casual wear an someone built a wall on the pitch.
Ah, shur aul’Big Rob is my first cousin *cough*
Isn’t he the most beautiful man ever
Every game a struggle without him.
When has Rob Kearney started at centre for Ireland Patrick?
I believe he came off the bench in the closing stages of the Italy game in 2008 to replace O’Driscoll.
If it’s the game after the WC in 2008, he came onto the wing for Darcy who hurt his arm and Trimble moved to the centre.
That was the game indeed. Cheers.