Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Azerbaijan | 2022 - FIFA World Cup | 2030863

European Qualifiers Qualifying Round - Group A | Aviva Stadium, Dublin
04 September 2021 - 17:00

Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Azerbaijan

Duffy(87) full-time Makhmudov(45+1)
Republic of Ireland Azerbaijan

REPORT | Ireland 1-1 Azerbaijan - Duffy rescues point

A late Shane Duffy header secured a point for Ireland on a frustrating evening, as Stephen Kenny’s side drew 1-1 against Azerbaijan at the Aviva Stadium.
2077046.jpg
4th Sep 2021

In the first ever meeting between the two sides, Duffy's late header rescued a point for the home side after Emin Makhmudov's incredible strike on the stroke of half-time had put the away side into a shock lead.

In the opening ten minutes, Ireland could have been at least two goals ahead through Aaron Connolly and Matt Doherty after a pulsating start in front of 21,287 supporters. Doherty went close with a header on five minutes, after a beautiful ball from Cullen and just 60 seconds later, Idah did brilliantly to run down the end line to square to Connolly, whose shot was blocked.

Captain Coleman’s effort went just wide on ten minutes too, as the Irish supporters urged their side to find the opener. Ireland continued to create and had two good chances halfway through the first-half.

Molumby’s effort from the edge of the box went close, before Connolly's brilliant cross found Idah who headed just wide of the right-hand post. However, in the final moments of the first-half, Emin Makhmudov found himself 30 yards from goal, and under no pressure, he found the perfect strike into the top right-hand corner.

Ireland enjoyed prolonged spells of possession in the second 45 but were left frustrated time and time again as Azerbaijan sat back with every player behind the ball. Parrott’s effort from the edge of the area was well saved before Idah’s glancing header went just wide.

Robinson and Hourihane were introduced and the introductions helped Ireland's cause. Duffy went close, heading just over from Robinson’s brilliant cross as Ireland adopted a more direct approach in the final quarter of the game.

Robinson was agonisingly to finding an equaliser with 10 minutes left but sent his effort wide from the six-yard box, but soon after, that equaliser finally came. Cullen’s deep cross found Duffy, who had stayed up from a corner, who headed home much to the delight of the Green Army behind the goal, for a long-awaited equaliser.

Five minutes of added time were announced, and Ireland piled forward looking for the winner. Robinson went close again but his effort was well saved, and it proved to be the last action of the evening, as Ireland secure their first point of the campaign

Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu; Matt Doherty (James Collins 79), Seamus Coleman (C), Shane Duffy, John Egan, James McClean; Jayson Molumby (Conor Hourihane 62), Josh Cullen (Alan Browne 87); Troy Parrott (Callum Robinson 62), Adam Idah, Aaron Connolly (Daryl Horgan 46).
Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, James Talbot, Ryan Manning, Andrew Omobamidele, Jeff Hendrick, Jamie McGrath, Ronan Curtis.
Booked: Jayson Molumby (56), Alan Browne (90)

Azerbaijan: Shakhrudin Mahammadaliyev; Gara Garayev, Maksim Medvedev © (Abbas Huseynov 70), Hojjat Haghverdi, Elvin Badalov, Anton Krivotsyuk, Emin Makhmudov, Tural Bayramov, Namik Alaskarov (Rustam Akhmedzade 70), Mahir Emreli (Ramil Sheydayev 79), Filip Ozobic (Anatolii Nuriyev 80).
Subs not used: Aydin Bayramov, Mekhti Dzhenetov; Rahim Sadikhov, Azer Salahli, Vugar Mustafayev, Ismayil Ibrahhimli, Bahlul Mustafazade, Tamkin Khalilzade.
Booked: Anton Krivotsyuk (67)

Referee: Jerome Brisard (France)
Attendance: 21,287
Carlsberg Man of the Match: Adam Idah

PREVIEW | Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan

Republic of Ireland welcome Azerbaijan to the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, the first international to be played in front of supporters since the start of the pandemic.
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3rd Sep 2021

Ireland returned to Dublin following the 2-1 defeat to Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a heart-breaking late brace to seal the win for the home side.

Stephen Kenny's side will look to seal their first win of the campaign against Azerbaijan ahead of the match against Serbia on Tuesday, September 7.

Match Details

Fixture: Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan
Date: Saturday, September 4
Kick-off: 5pm
Competition: FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers - European Qualifiers
TV: RTE & Sky Sports

Tickets

A limited number of tickets for the Azerbaijan and Serbia games are available here.

Match Officials

Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
Assistant 1: Benjamin Pages (FRA)
Assistant 2: Erwan Christophe Finjean (FRA)
Fourth Official: Mikaël Lesage (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mikael Berchebru (FRA)

Team News

Callum Robinson, Alan Browne and Liam Scales trained with the squad at the Aviva Stadium earlier today (Friday, September 3) and are in contention. Defenders Dara O'Shea and Nathan Collins have been withdrawn from the squad through injury.

What he said - Ireland manager Stephen Kenny

“It will be a proud moment for the players with the fans back,” said Stephen Kenny.

“We have handed many young players their debuts recently but in empty stadia and it is not comparable. They will have their families and their friends there tomorrow night and those who have been on their football journey with them. They will be very proud.

"It will be a different challenge from Portugal but once we can't take lightly."

Watch the full press conference with Stephen Kenny here...

What he said - Ireland defender Matt Doherty

“I am a player who needs the crowd back. It is a game changer for me when there are fans there and it helps bring us to a different level.

"The home fans will make a big difference for us against Azerbaijan and Serbia and will be a real positive for us.

"We've got to build on the performance in midweek and get a result which we need to kick-start the campaign really.

"We want to get going and the lads are eager to get points on the board so we'll be going all out for the win."

Watch the full press conference with Matt Doherty here...

Republic of Ireland Squad

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), James Talbot (Bohemians)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Liam Scales (Celtic)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End)
Attackers: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion)

Tactical Lineups

Republic of Ireland

1 Bazunu (G) 2 Coleman (C) 4 Duffy 5 Egan 6 Cullen 7 Doherty 9 Idah 10 Parrott 11 McClean 17 Molumby 21 Connolly

Coach

Stephen Kenny

Azerbaijan

1 Magomedaliyev (G) 2 Garayev 4 Haghverdi 5 Medvedev (C) 7 Alaskarov 8 Makhmudov 10 Emreli 14 Badalov 17 Bayramov 18 Krivotsyuk 20 Ozobić

Substitutes

  • 12 Mekhti Dzhenetov (G)
  • 23 Aydin Bayramov (G)
  • 3 Azer Salahli
  • 6 Vugar Mustafayev
  • 9 Rustam Akmedzade
  • 11 Ramil Sheydaev
  • 13 Abbas Hüseynov
  • 15 Bahlul Mustafazade
  • 16 Anatolii Nuriiev
  • 19 Tamkin Khalilzade
  • 21 Ismayil İbrahimli
  • 22 Rahim Sadikhov

Coach

Giovanni de Biasi

Officials

  • Referee Jérôme Brisard
  • Assistant Referees Benjamin Pages
  • UEFA Delegate Jenni Kennedy
  • Assistant Referee Two Erwan Finjean
  • Fourth Official Mikaël Lesage
  • Referee Observer Robert Malek
  • Video Assistant Referee Stéphanie Frappart
  • Assistant Video Assistant Referee Mikael Berchebru

Minute by Minute Commentary

  • 1" The match is under way.
  • 1" Aaron Connolly (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
  • 3" Namik Alaskarov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Troy Parrott (Republic of Ireland).
  • 3" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 3" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan).
  • 4" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • 5" Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 6" Aaron Connolly (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 6" Maksim Medvedev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 7" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 9" Seamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 10" Troy Parrott (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Filip Ozobić (Azerbaijan).
  • 10" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • 13" Namik Alaskarov (Azerbaijan) has an effort on goal.
  • 13" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 14" Filip Ozobić (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland).
  • 14" Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 18" Emin Makhmudov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Troy Parrott (Republic of Ireland).
  • 18" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 20" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Maksim Medvedev (Azerbaijan).
  • 22" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) is flagged for offside.
  • 22" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 23" Namik Alaskarov (Azerbaijan) has an effort on goal.
  • 23" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 23" Emin Makhmudov (Azerbaijan) takes the corner.
  • 23" Anton Krivotsyuk (Azerbaijan) has a shot blocked.
  • 23" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 24" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) misses the target.
  • 25" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Mahir Emreli (Azerbaijan).
  • 26" Emin Makhmudov (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • 26" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) misses the target.
  • 27" Namik Alaskarov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
  • 27" Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 28" Aaron Connolly (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 28" Hojjat Haghverdi (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 28" Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 32" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 33" Filip Ozobić (Azerbaijan) has a shot blocked.
  • 33" Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 33" Emin Makhmudov (Azerbaijan) takes the corner.
  • 37" Aaron Connolly (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 37" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 40" Elvin Badalov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Aaron Connolly (Republic of Ireland).
  • 40" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 41" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Filip Ozobić (Azerbaijan).
  • 41" Gara Garayev (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • 45+1" Emin Makhmudov (Azerbaijan) scores!
  • The referee blows for half-time.
  • 46" The second half begins.
  • 46" Daryl Horgan (in) - Aaron Connolly (out) (@@teamID)
  • 47" Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 48" Filip Ozobić (Azerbaijan) misses the target.
  • 49" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland).
  • 50" James McClean (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 55" Daryl Horgan (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 55" Hojjat Haghverdi (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 56" Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan).
  • 56" Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 57" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • 59" Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Mahir Emreli (Azerbaijan).
  • 60" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • 60" Troy Parrott (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 60" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 61" Namik Alaskarov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Seamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland).
  • 61" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 62" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 63" Callum Robinson (in) - Troy Parrott (out) (@@teamID)
  • 63" Conor Hourihane (in) - Jayson Molumby (out) (@@teamID)
  • 64" Seamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 64" Hojjat Haghverdi (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 64" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 67" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 67" Hojjat Haghverdi (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 67" Anton Krivotsyuk (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Callum Robinson (Republic of Ireland).
  • 67" Anton Krivotsyuk (Azerbaijan) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 68" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 69" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 69" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 70" Abbas Hüseynov (in) - Maksim Medvedev (out) (@@teamID)
  • 70" Azer Salahli (in) - Tural Bayramov (out) (@@teamID)
  • 70" Rustam Akmedzade (in) - Namik Alaskarov (out) (@@teamID)
  • 71" Filip Ozobić (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Callum Robinson (Republic of Ireland).
  • 72" Filip Ozobić (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland).
  • 72" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 72" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 72" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 73" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 74" Daryl Horgan (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 74" Gara Garayev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 74" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 74" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 77" Rustam Akmedzade (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Seamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland).
  • 77" Seamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 77" Mahir Emreli (Azerbaijan) has a shot blocked.
  • 77" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 79" Ramil Sheydaev (in) - Mahir Emreli (out) (@@teamID)
  • 79" Anatolii Nuriiev (in) - Filip Ozobić (out) (@@teamID)
  • 80" James Collins (in) - Matt Doherty (out) (@@teamID)
  • 81" Rustam Akmedzade (Azerbaijan) has an effort on goal.
  • 81" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 84" Gara Garayev (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on James Collins (Republic of Ireland).
  • 85" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 85" Callum Robinson (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 86" Anatolii Nuriiev (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland).
  • 86" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 87" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) assists.
  • 87" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) scores!
  • 88" Emin Makhmudov (Azerbaijan) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 88" Alan Browne (in) - Josh Cullen (out) (@@teamID)
  • 88" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Anton Krivotsyuk (Azerbaijan).
  • 89" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • 90" Emin Makhmudov (Azerbaijan) takes the corner.
  • 90+3" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 90+3" Hojjat Haghverdi (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 90+3" Callum Robinson (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 90+3" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
  • 90+3" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan).
  • 90+4" Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • 90+5" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Rustam Akmedzade (Azerbaijan).
  • 90+5" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 90+6" Gara Garayev (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
  • The final whistle is blown.

Match Statistics

  • Republic of Ireland
  • Azerbaijan

Corners Won

5 3

Shots on Target

5 4

Shots off Target

9 3

Fouls Committed

10 13
  • Republic of Ireland

    Azerbaijan

  • 1Goals1
  • 2Yellow Card(s)2
  • 0Red Card(s)0
  • 5Shots on Goal4
  • 9Shots Wide3
  • 7Shot(s) Blocked3
  • 6Save(s)11
  • 21Total Shots10
  • 10Fouls Committed13
  • 5Corner(s)3
  • 1Offside(s)1