Republic of Ireland 1
New Zealand 1
Netherlands 1
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Gibraltar 0 - 4 Republic of Ireland
HIGHLIGHTS | Gibraltar 0-4 Ireland - All of the goals
Republic of Ireland defeated Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal with a 4-0 win in the penultimate qualification match for UEFA EURO 2024.
First-half goals from Evan Ferguson and Mikey Johnston were complimented by second-half strikes by Matt Doherty and Callum Robinson to seal the victory.
You can now watch highlights from the match and all four goals on FAI TV above.
REPORT | Gibraltar 0-4 Ireland - Convincing win in Faro
First-half goals from Evan Ferguson and Mikey Johnston were complimented by second-half strikes by Matt Doherty and Callum Robinson to seal the victory.
Stephen Kenny made three changes from the side that was defeated by Greece last Friday with Mikey Johnston, Jamie McGrath, and Ryan Manning coming into the starting line-up.
Ireland took the lead inside the opening ten minutes when an excellent through ball from Chiedozie Ogbene to Matt Doherty was across to Evan Ferguson who guided it past Coleing to score his third senior goal. Shane Duffy almost added a second when he rose highest from a free kick but Coleing was brave to collect the ball while under pressure from the Irish defender.
The home side had a sight on goal with a free kick from Liam Walker to the back post that was easily collected by Gavin Bazunu. Ireland went close to a second when a corner sent in by Ronan Manning saw Jamie McGrath flick it to the back post with Duffy striking the side netting. Mikey Johnston forced an excellent save from Coleing after he cut inside onto his left and struck from distance which the Gibraltar goalkeep did well to palm away.
Ireland did add a second as Ogbene and Doherty combined once more to send the ball to Johnston who guided it home from close range. Ireland almost added another following some great play from Jason Knight and McGrath finding Ferguson at the near post but his attempt was blocked down by Annesley.
Just on half time, McGrath sent an excellent ball to Johnston at the back post but his effort was deflected wide for a corner in Ireland's last attack.
Knight had the first shot on target in the second half after Coleing’s initial punched clearance found the Ireland midfielder who forced the Gibraltar keeper to push it wide for a corner and from that set piece Duffy’s low volley just went wide of the near post. Knight went close to scoring once more when Johnston’s cross to the back post was met by Knight but the midfielder saw his diving header go just wide.
Ireland did add a third. A corner from Manning was flicked on brilliantly by McGrath to Doherty who headed past Coleing from close range. Callum Robinson had a sight on goal with his first touches of the contest forcing Coleing into a save from the edge of the area.
McGrath went close to adding to the score after Jayson Molumby broke into the area with the ball falling to McGrath who had two strikes on goal the second of which struck the side netting. Ireland was to add a fourth goal following another excellent cross from McGrath that met Callum Robinson where he headed it past Coleing with pace.
Ireland will face the Netherlands in their final qualification match in Amsterdam in November.
Gibraltar: Coleing (GK), Sergeant, Annesley, Pozo (Coombes 67), Walker, Olivero (Casciaro 68), Chipolina © (De Haro 82), Mouelhi, Ronan (Chipolina 82), De Barr (El Hmidi 68), Britto.
Subs not used: Banda (GK), Lopez (GK), Jolley, Ruiz, K. Chipolina, Hernandez, Peacock.
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu, Doherty, Manning, Duffy ©, Cullen (Molumby 73), Ferguson (Idah 65), Scales (O'Shea 73), Knight, McGrath, Johnston (Robinson 65), Ogbene (Sykes 83).
Subs not used: Travers (GK), O'Leary (GK), Browne, Smallbone, Omobamidele, Ebosele, Collins.
Referee: Christian-Petru Ciochirca (Austria)
Booked: McGrath, Sergeant, Doherty, Annesley
Player of the Match: Mikey Johnston
Match Preview | Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland
Ireland head to Faro knowing their automatic qualification chances are over following the 2-0 defeat to Greece on Friday at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland will be looking to double their current points tally in the group with a win over Gibraltar on Monday, October 16, with a large travelling contingent expected.
Match Details
Fixture: Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland
Competition: UEFA EURO 2024Qualifying
Date: Monday, October 16
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Estádio Algarve-Faro-Loulé (Portugal)
TV: RTE
Match Officials
Referee: Christian-Petru Ciochirca (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: Maximilian Weiss (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Obritzberger (AUT)
Fourth Official: Harald Lechner (AUT)
Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas (AUT)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Manuel Schuettengruber (AUT)
Team News
Stephen Kenny has a fully fit squad to choose from for the fixture against Gibraltar with the Ireland manager expected to make some changes from the 2-0 defeat to Greece on Friday night.
MD-1 Press Conference v Gibraltar | Manager Stephen Kenny
"In this camp, it was important to try and win against Greece. We haven’t managed to do that, I understand that, that it’s not a good result for us.
“But from my point of view, I am contracted to the end of the campaign so I just want to finish the campaign strong. If there is a play-off, we can assess that, but finish the campaign strong and take it from there.
“We all have to get results, we understand that and that will be motivation tomorrow."
MD-1 Press Conference v Gibraltar | Midfielder Josh Cullen
“Obviously the campaign hasn’t gone how we wanted it to. As players, the motivation is the same in every game.
“The chance to play for your country is something that should never be taken for granted. Whether that’s against France or Gibraltar, you approach it with the same mindset, and we are itching to get back out there tomorrow night and get a win for our country.”
WATCH THE MD-1 PRESS CONFERENCE HERE
Match-day Squad v Gibraltar
1. Gavin Bazunu
2. Matt Doherty
3. Ryan Manning
4. Shane Duffy
5. Dara O'Shea
6. Josh Cullen
7. Callum Robinson
8. Alan Browne
9. Evan Ferguson
10. Adam Idah
11. Will Smallbone
12. Andrew Omobamidele
13. Mark Sykes
14. Jayson Molumby
15. Liam Scales
16. Mark Travers
17. Jason Knight
18. Jamie McGrath
19. Mikey Johnston
20. Chiedozie Ogbene
21. Festy Ebosele
22. Nathan Collins
23. Max O'Leary
Match Facts - Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland
- The Republic of Ireland have won their five matches against Gibraltar – all in European Championship qualifiers – by an aggregate score of 17-0.
- Gibraltar have lost more qualifying matches for major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) against the Republic of Ireland than any other nation (5).
- In all competitions, Gibraltar have lost their last seven games by an aggregate score of 22-0. They last had a longer losing run between November 2018 and November 2019 (12 in a row).
- Republic of Ireland have lost their last three matches in all competitions, all in European Championship qualifying. They haven’t lost four games in a row since October 2006.
- Gibraltar have lost every single European Championship and World Cup qualifier they have contested, losing all 43 games while conceding 194 goals.
- Republic of Ireland have now conceded exactly two goals in eight of their last 11 matches, including their last three in a row. They haven’t shipped 2+ goals in four consecutive games since June 1996.
- In their 4-0 defeat to Wales, Gibraltar didn’t attempt a single shot and had just one touch in the opposition box in the entire game, completing just 16 passes in Wales’ half and enjoying just 22% of possession.
- Gavin Bazunu has won 19 caps for the Republic of Ireland and could become only the 10th goalkeeper to win 20 caps for the Boys in Green. Aged 21, he will be the youngest to reach 20 caps of any goalkeeper, with Shay Given the current youngest in 1998 (22 years, 212 days).
Republic of Ireland Squad - Gibraltar
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Stoke City, on loan from AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Mark Sykes (Bristol City).
Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Mikey Johnston (Celtic).
Tactical Lineups
Gibraltar
Substitutes
- 1 Bradley Banda (G)
- 13 Christian Lopez (G)
- 2 Ethan Jolley
- 3 Joseph Chipolina
- 7 Lee Casciaro
- 8 Michael Ruiz
- 9 Ayoub El Hmidi
- 11 Evan De Haro
- 15 Kenneth Chipolina
- 18 Anthony Hernandez
- 21 Jamie Coombes
- 22 Dylan Peacock
Coach
Julio Ribas
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 16 Mark Travers (G)
- 23 Max O'Leary (G)
- 5 Dara O'Shea
- 7 Callum Robinson
- 8 Alan Browne
- 10 Adam Idah
- 11 William Smallbone
- 12 Andrew Omobamidele
- 13 Mark Sykes
- 14 Jayson Molumby
- 21 Festy Ebosele
- 22 Nathan Collins
Coach
Stephen Kenny
Officials
- Referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca
- Assistant Referees Maximilian Weiss
- UEFA Delegate Karl Espen Eriksen
- Assistant Referee Two Michael Obritzberger
- Fourth Official Harald Lechner
- Video Assistant Referee Alan Kijas
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee Manuel Schuettengruber
- Referee Observer Martin Ingvarsson
Match Statistics
- Gibraltar
- Republic of Ireland
Minute by Minute Commentary