Gibraltar 0-4 Ireland
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have more reaction up on the site shortly.
So that’s that.
Ireland did about as well as could be expected in what was effectively a no-win situation.
Gibraltar are comfortably one of the worst teams in Europe and not really good enough for this level.
However, the visitors still needed to do a professional job after a difficult week, and they delivered in that regard.
Every Irish player played reasonably well, with Mikey Johnston, Matt Doherty and Jamie McGrath among the standouts.
FULL-TIME: GIBRALTAR 0-4 IRELAND
Mikey Johnston has been named man of the match by RTÉ.
There were a few contenders, but the Celtic man can certainly be pleased with his evening, particularly given that he went into this international window without having played a single match this season.
Here’s a look at Ireland’s fourth goal…
There was a lengthy VAR check but Callum Robinson's goal is eventually given 👍
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2023
🇬🇮 0-4 🇮🇪
📺Live on RTÉ2
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Ireland made another change while the VAR check was occurring.
Mark Sykes is on for his second cap, replacing the influential Ogbene.
After a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside, Ireland are awarded a fourth goal.
It’s a good ball in by McGrath and headed home by Robinson.
It’s his ninth goal for Ireland, taking him two ahead of Shane Duffy as the highest scorer in the squad.
GIBRALTAR 0-4 IRELAND (ROBINSON 80)
More chaos in the Gibraltar area.
Molumby initially charges forward before McGrath’s low shot from deep inside the area is saved by the feet of Coleing.
Ireland make a double change.
Dara O’Shea and Jason Molumby replace Liam Scales and Josh Cullen, who have both been solid without being especially busy.
Manning plays a good ball into the box for a corner.
It falls to Duffy, who can’t inject the necessary power into his header and it’s an easy save for Coleing.
Moments later, Manning’s cross is flicked on by Idah.
Ogbene goes for the ball and falls down under a challenge from Britto, but the referee waves play on.
Changes for Gibraltar now.
Casciaro, Coombes and El Hmidi are on.
De Barr, Pozo and Olivero are off.
Ireland make a double change.
Two of the goalscorers — Ferguson and Johnston — depart.
Adam Idah and Callum Robinson come on in their place.
Here’s a look at the third goal and the spectacular flick from McGrath…
What about that for an assist from Jamie McGrath 😳 🦂
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2023
Matt Doherty with the finish to make it 3-0 to Ireland on the hour mark!
🇬🇮 0-3 🇮🇪
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That’s the best goal of the night.
Manning’s corner is flicked on superbly by McGrath and Doherty is on hand to head home from close range.
GIBRALTAR 0-3 IRELAND (DOHERTY 61)
Gibraltar are playing with a bit more adventure now and getting plenty of bodies forward.
Ireland must be careful they don’t get too complacent.
Ireland get a free kick right on the edge of the area after Chipolina is penalised for handball.
However, Ferguson’s effort is wasteful — he blazes it well over the bar.
Gibraltar have another free kick in a decent position.
This time, Duffy is in the right place to head it out for a corner.
Down the other end, Johnston’s brilliant cross finds Knight on the run, but the Bristol City man’s header goes narrowly wide.
Coleing can only parry Ogbene’s cross.
He then palms away Knight’s follow-up effort for a corner.
Johnston’s ensuing set piece falls to Duffy on the volley and the defender’s attempt goes just wide.
The second half has begun…
So half-time and it’s been a predictably one-sided affair.
Just as it was against Greece, Ireland’s main source of creativity has been the right-hand side — the Matt Doherty and Chiedozie Ogbene combination created both goals.
Evan Ferguson will be delighted with his third competitive goal for his country, while Mikey Johnston has similarly made an impact on his full competitive debut.
Both players were also on target during the 3-0 win over Gibraltar back in June.
HALF-TIME: GIBRALTAR 0-2 IRELAND
McGrath beats his man and his cross narrowly eludes Johnston.
It’s already a question of ‘how many’ for Ireland.
It continues to more or less be one-way traffic to the Gibraltar area.
The latest chance sees McGrath cross low for Ferguson, who can’t beat Coleing from close range albeit from a very tight angle.
McGrath plays a dangerous through ball for the onrushing Johnston.
However, Coleing is alert and gets to the ball ahead of the Ireland attacker.
Here’s a look at the second goal…
Doherty and Ogbene involved again as Mikey Johnston makes it 2-0 to Ireland!
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2023
IRL 2-0 GIB
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Ireland double their advantage and it’s pretty similar to the opening goal.
Again, Ogbene and Doherty link up with the latter providing the low cross.
Johnston is on hand to convert on the second attempt, after he initially hits the post, but the rebound comes straight back into his path.
GIBRALTAR 0-2 IRELAND (JOHNSTON 28)
Manning’s corner causes problems.
McGrath flicks it on and it falls to Duffy at the far post, who can’t quite direct his effort from close range on target.
Moments later, Johnston’s powerful strike from the edge of the area tests Coleing, forcing the goalkeeper to parry it away to safety.
Gibraltar have already had two free kicks from decent positions.
However, the latest sees Walker loft the ball straight into the arms of Bazunu.
Ireland continue to control the play though they certainly haven’t overworked the goalkeeper in these early stages.
Already though, it is looking like a damage limitation exercise for Gibraltar.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
Great work by Ogbene and Doherty to set up Evan Ferguson for his third Ireland goal!
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2023
Ireland lead Gibratar 1-0 in Faro.
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Ireland get off to the perfect start.
It comes from good link-up play between Ogbene and Doherty down the right.
The Wolves man’s low cross is then clinically converted by Ferguson.
IRELAND 1-0 GIBRALTAR (FERGUSON 8)
Ireland have started on the front foot as expected.
They’ve enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening stages, but have yet to create a clear-cut chance.
We’re underway…
Stephen Kenny gives his thoughts to RTÉ ahead of the game…
Stephen Kenny talks through his reasons for bringing Ryan Manning, Mikey Johnston and Jamie McGrath into the Ireland team for tonight's clash with Gibraltar.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2023
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Confirmation of the Gibraltar team for this evening…
Here is your 🇬🇮 Starting XI that takes on Ireland 🇮🇪at the Estádio Algarve in UEFA's @EURO2024 qualifiers ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/GS9eiXETMi
— Gibraltar FA (@GibraltarFA) October 16, 2023
Confirmation of the Ireland team tonight…
STARTING XI | Gibraltar v Ireland
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) October 16, 2023
Mikey Johnston comes in to start as well as Jamie McGrath and Ryan Manning as Evan Ferguson starts again up front 🇮🇪
Kick-off is at 7.45pm with over 3,000 Irish supporters expected 💚 pic.twitter.com/srk6o1bkkI
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
It can’t get any worse, can it?
After six games, Ireland’s record in qualifying reads: won one, lost five.
There is no longer any chance of direct qualification from the group, so there is little other than pride at stake this evening.
Ireland’s sole qualifying victory in this campaign, of course, came at home to Gibraltar.
It wasn’t entirely straightforward, however, as they were held scoreless in the first half.
It is unlikely to be too easy this evening, therefore, with Stephen Kenny’s side under pressure to deliver a much-needed victory.
