Republic of Ireland vs Gibraltar highlights
The Euro 2024 qualifiers Republic of Ireland vs Gibraltar highlights is online, as the match concluded with victory of Republic of Ireland with 3-0 at Aviva stadium. On group B, Ireland becomes claims the first to win in bid to qualify for Euro 2024, where Michael Johnston, Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah scored in second half to make hosts take three points behind second placed Greece; keeping the pressure on Stephen Kenny after back-to-back defeats.
Greece’s defeat in Friday left Ireland without a point in Group B and facing an uphill task to reach Euro 2024 after just two matches. Gibraltar were the perfect opponents for republic, who have lost all of their previous qualifiers since becoming a competitive international side, and they were unable to halt that record despite Ireland’s sluggish first Half performance.
The hosts were much improved after the first Half, and finally took the lead through substitute Michael Johnston, before Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah powered home headers to finally to get Ireland off the mark in the bid to qualify for next Summer’s finals in Germany.
Republic’s lost against France in March left them six points behind Greece and Nine behinds Les Blues ahead of Monday’s game at the Aviva stadium. Despite both teams occupied the qualifying spots in Group B, France victory over Greece with 1-0 and Ireland made them finally claiming their first win, Kenny’s side are now just three points off second place. Denmark had the victory over Northern Ireland with 1-0 on the Euro 2024 qualifiers round on friday’s meetings.
It was not a positive at half-time, however with Gibraltar ranking 201st in the world, holding Ireland to a goalless opening 45 minutes. Jamie McGrath should have opened the scoring within the first 60 seconds but with his low shot straight at goalkeeper Dayle Coleing, who also denied Ferguson and McGarth again during a busy first half. England had victory over Malta with 4-0 in Euro qualifiers league on June 16, 2023.
Ferguson also missed a chance when he failed to connect with a header shot after Coleing raced from his goal, while Michael Obafemi miss-shot in front of goal and James McClean making his 100th Ireland appearance.
Stephen Kenny showed his tactics at the half-time, sacrificing one of the three centre-backs he had selected against a defensive Gibraltar and bringing on Johnston, who quickly scored his first Ireland goal when he turned in will to deflect free-kick from close range. Turkey had the victory over Wales with 2-0 in Euro 2024 qualifiers on June 20, 2023.
Ferguson then headed in his first international goal to ease the tension in Dublin, before Johnston and Josh Cullen were denied by the save from Coleing, who plays his club football for Gibraltan top-flight side Lincoln Red Imps.
McClean was denied a fairytale strike by a brilliant block from Dundalk defender Louie Annesley before Gibraltar went close to a shock goal, with Gavin Bazunu denying Niels Hartman from a corner.
Kenny must have been extremely grateful to see Gibraltar next up on Ireland’s fixture list, given his side’s back-to-back defeats at the start of qualifying.
A visit from Gibraltar is as close to a gimme as is possible in international football given they have lost every qualifier they have ever played, which made Kenny’s decision to line up with three centre-backs a little curious.
Stephen Kenny on post-match interview
Stephen Kenny said, “It was just important to keep our composure and then just believe in ourselves. “We created a lot of moments. We had a lot of shots in the game – 32 – but it was all about getting the first goal.
“We had a great chance in the first minute that we didn’t take. Once you get the first goal it eases the tension and people can relax.” Kenny said it was important for Ireland to “respond in the right way” after disappointment against Greece, adding: “Of course we were expected to beat Gibraltar, the lowest seeds in the group.
“The expectation is there but it was the same score-line as France and Holland, who both beat Gibraltar 3-0. We could’ve and probably should’ve won by a lot more but we didn’t take some of the chances.”
