Republic of Ireland 1
New Zealand 1
Netherlands 1
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Scotland 2 - 1 Republic of Ireland
REPORT | Scotland 2-1 Ireland - Christie pen seals win
Ireland conceded a late penalty for the hosts to clinch the contest. Ireland opened the scoring courtesy of John Egan but second-half goals from Jack Hendry and the late Ryan Christie penalty seal the tie for the hosts.
Scotland started the brighter with the first attempt on goal coming from Ryan Christie as he struck an effort on the edge of the Irish area that went wide of Gavin Bazunu’s far post.
Scott McTominay was next to have a sight on the Irish goal but his low effort was well saved by the Bazunu. Ireland grew into the game with Troy Parrott breaking free of the Scottish defence and despite being under pressure in the goal area he was able to finish with a well-placed shot however he was ruled to be offside in the build-up to the goal.
Ireland was to get the opening goal of the game when a corner that was initially cleared by Dykes fell to Jayson Molumby whose header was knocked down by Nathan Collins into the path of John Egan whose low effort beat Craig Gordon at his near post.
Scotland had a chance to draw things level when a cross from Stuart Armstrong was met by John McGinn in the area but he couldn’t direct his effort goalwards. Scotland was to respond early in the second half when a cross from Christie into the Irish area was met by Jack Hendry whose header arced past Bazunu and beat him at the pack post to bring the scores level.
Matt Doherty had a sight on goal just moments later after a clever pass from Jason Knight but he curled it well wide of Gordan’s far post. McGinn went close once again with a low effort just outside the area that went wide.
Ireland had an excellent opportunity to go ahead again when a breakaway from a corner saw Obafemi play the perfect pass to Parrott who was one on one with Gordan who pulled off a point-blank save to deny the Irish striker.
Molumby had a shot blocked en route to goal as Chiedozie Ogbene broke free of the attention of the Scottish defence to pass wide to James McClean whose cross was only cleared to Molumby and his shot on goal was blocked and cleared.
Gavin Bazunu was forced to make an excellent save as Scotland broke down the right with Ryan Fraser’s shot on the edge of the area forcing the Irish keeper to tip the ball over the bar, the resulting corner saw Matt Doherty clear the ball at the back post to stop a certain goal.
Scotland was awarded a penalty after a corner sent into the area was handled in the box by an Irish player with Ryan Christie sending Bazunu the wrong way to put Scotland in the lead.
Ireland will conclude their Nations League Group B with a home tie to Armenia on Tuesday night in the Aviva Stadium.
Scotland: Gordon (GK), McTominay, Hickey (Ralston 58), Tierney (Taylor 42), Hendry, McKenna, J. McGinn, McGregor, Armstong (Fraser 58), Christie (Adams 85), Dykes (McLean 85).
Substitutes: Kelly (GK), Robby McCrorie (GK), Gallagher, Porteous, Gilmour, Doig, Jack.
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu (GK), Collins, Egan, O’Shea, Doherty (Coleman 75), Cullen, Molumby (Browne 75), McClean (Brady 83), Parrott (Robinson 75), Knight, Obafemi (Ogbene 59)
Substitutes: Travers (GK), O'Leary (GK), Duffy, Hourihane, Hendrick, Hogan, O'Dowda.
Man of the Match: Jayson Molumby
Booked: Josh Cullen, Scott McKenna, John Egan
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Preview | Scotland v Ireland - UEFA Nations League
Stephen Kenny's Ireland enjoyed an impressive 3-0 victory over Scotland in the UEFA Nations League tie in the Aviva Stadium in June and Ireland will be hoping to secure another three points against Steve Clarke's Scotland.
Scotland will be going into Saturday's fixture full of confidence following their impressive 3-0 midweek win over Ukraine which opens up the battle for top spot.
Ireland still have a faint chance of finishing top thanks to that result but will have to beat Scotland and also Armenia when they return home on Tuesday.
Match Details
Fixture: Scotland v Republic of Ireland
Stadium: Hampden Park
Date: Saturday, September 24
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Competition: UEFA Nations League
TV: RTE & Premier Sports
Match Officials
Referee: Sandro Schärer (SUI)
Assistant 1: Stephane De Almeida (SUI)
Assistant 2: Bekim Zogaj (SUI)
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San (SUI)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lukas Fähndrich (SUI)
Fourth Official: Alain Bieri (SUI)
Team News
Stephen Kenny has had no injury concerns to contend with following the withdrawal of Andrew Omobamidele earlier in the week. Liam Scales replaced the Norwich defender in the squad and since, there has been no injury concerns in the squad. Kenny will have a selection headache to contend with as defenders Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea, Shane Duffy, John Egan & Seamus Coleman are all vying to start.
What he said - Stephen Kenny
"Scotland were very good the other day, they played very well and to be honest with you, they’ve been very good since Steve Clarke took charge and qualified for the Euros.
"They’ve consistently been good so anything we get, we know we’ll definitely have to earn that. For us, we have to focus on ourselves and make sure we’re right, that’s what we are firmly focused on. You have to adapt for sure, you can’t play the same way, you have to adapt to your opponent. That’s the nature of football.
“Injury wise, there’s no issues at all. Everyone in the camp is fully fit, nobody is even doubtful."
What he said - John Egan
"It's a tough game but these are the matches you want to be involved in and I know the lads are really excited to get going. We're here to do a job and get an important three points, and with a big travelling support behind us, we're really motivated.
"The Scotland match at the Aviva was fantastic. We were brilliant that day and the quality of goals were great, but we need to try and produce a similar performance tomorrow.
"Scotland are a strong side and I watched the Ukraine match in the midweek and they showed how difficult they will be as opposition."
Opta Facts - Scotland v Republic of Ireland
- The reverse fixture between these two sides was won 3-0 by the Republic of Ireland in Dublin back in June, with goals from Alan Browne, Troy Parrott and Michael Obafemi earning their nation their largest ever margin of victory in this fixture.
- Scotland have won one of their last five matches against the Republic of Ireland (D1 L3), though it was the last time they hosted this fixture, back in November 2014 in a Euro 2016 qualifying match.
- Republic of Ireland’s only victory from 14 UEFA Nations League matches came against Scotland in June (otherwise D6 L7). Republic of Ireland scored as many goals in that game as they have managed in their other 13 matches combined in the competition (3).
- After winning just one of their first 16 matches under Stephen Kenny (D8 L7), Republic of Ireland have since won five of their last 10 matches under his tutelage (D3 L2).
- Republic of Ireland’s 20-year-old forward Troy Parrott has scored four goals in 15 appearances for the national team. Only two players have ever scored five times before turning 21 for the Boys in Green – Robbie Keane (7) and David Connolly (6).
- John McGinn has been involved in 14 goals in his 16 home starts for Scotland under manager Steve Clarke (11 goals, 3 assists).
- Since Stephen Kenny took over in September 2020, Callum Robinson has scored the most goals (6), taken the most shots (41) and registered the most shots on target (16) of any Republic of Ireland player. Central defender Shane Duffy is either second or joint-second for each (4 goals, 26 shots, 9 shots on target).
Republic of Ireland Squad - Scotland & Armenia
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Fulham), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Liam Scales (Aberdeen).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Jason Knight (Derby County), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Conor Hourihane (Derby County), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Swansea City), Troy Parrott (Preston North End), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City).
Fixtures - UEFA Nations League
24/09 - Scotland v Republic of Ireland, Hampden Park, 7.45pm
27/09 - Republic of Ireland v Armenia, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
Tactical Lineups
Scotland
Substitutes
- 12 Liam Kelly (G)
- 21 Robby McCrorie (G)
- 2 Declan Gallagher
- 3 Greg Taylor
- 5 Ryan Porteous
- 10 Ché Adams
- 14 Billy Gilmour
- 16 Anthony Ralston
- 18 Josh Doig
- 19 Ryan Fraser
- 20 Ryan Jack
- 23 Kenny McLean
Coach
Steve Clarke
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 16 Mark Travers (G)
- 23 Max O'Leary (G)
- 2 Seamus Coleman
- 4 Shane Duffy
- 7 Callum Robinson
- 8 Conor Hourihane
- 13 Jeff Hendrick
- 14 Alan Browne
- 19 Scott Hogan
- 20 Chiedozie Ogbene
- 21 Robbie Brady
- 22 Callum O'Dowda
Coach
Stephen Kenny
Officials
- Referee Sandro Schärer
- Assistant Referees Stephane De Almeida
- UEFA Delegate Emil Ubias
- Assistant Referee Two Bekim Zogaj
- Fourth Official Alain Bieri
- Video Assistant Referee Fedayi San
- Referee Observer Igor Pristovnik
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee Lukas Fähndrich
Match Statistics
- Scotland
- Republic of Ireland
Minute by Minute Commentary