MX23RW : Friday, March 29 07:28:42| >> :600:397784:397784:
[monks data]
Gibraltar national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Sep 4, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Republic of Ireland national football team

0-4

FT(HT: 0-1)
Christie (26'), Keane (49', 51' pen.), Long (79')

Republic of Ireland third after Gibraltar victory

Robbie Keane scores twice as Republic of Ireland ease to victory away to Gibraltar.

Republic of Ireland are third in Group D after a comfortable victory in their Euro 2016 qualifier away to Gibraltar.

Martin O'Neill's side started brightly, enjoying plenty of possession and almost taking the lead when Robbie Brady's free kick was headed onto the bar by Ciaran Clark.

Robbie Keane of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring Ireland's 3rd goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between Gibraltar and Republic of Ireland at Estadio Algarve on September 4, 2015 in Faro, Portugal.© Getty Images

Robbie Keane also went close in the opening stages as Brady's pass found the Irish forward, but he failed to direct his shot the right side of the post.

However, the Boys in Green did take the lead on 26 minutes when Cyrus Christie was allowed to cut inside from the right flank, and his toe-poke at goal looked to have deceived Jordan Perez as the Gibraltar keeper could only watch the ball roll into the net.

Jonathan Walters nearly added a second soon after as the Stoke City forward unleashed a dipping 30-yard shot, which Perez managed to turn over his own crossbar.

Cyrus Christie of Republic of Ireland celebrates with teammates after scoring Ireland's 1st goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between Gibraltar and Republic of Ireland at Estadio Algarve on September 4, 2015 in Faro, Portugal.© Getty Images

Gibraltar's best period came towards the end of the first half when Shay Given needed to stop two efforts from Liam Walker in quick succession.

The minnows fell further behind soon after the restart when Erin Barnett's attempts to block a cross saw him divert the ball onto the left post and, with Perez beaten, Keane was on hand to tap home from no more than a yard out.

Within two minutes, Ireland were awarded a penalty after Walker managed to bring down Wes Hoolahan in the area.

Ireland's forward Robbie Keane (R) vies with Gibraltar's defender Joseph Chipolina during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland at the Algarve stadium in Faro on September 4, 2015. © Getty Images

Keane duly stepped up and slotted the ball into the corner as the visitors wrapped up victory.

They added a fourth on 79 minutes when Shane Long headed Jeff Hendrick's cross into the top corner as Ireland leapfrogged Scotland in the Group D standings.

ID:244083: cacheID:244083:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6175:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ireland's defender Cyrus Christie (C) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland at the Algarve stadium in Faro on September 4, 2015.
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Christie puts Ireland ahead in Gibraltar
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany00000
2 Hungary Hungary00000
3 Scotland flag Scotland00000
4 Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Albania national flag Albania00000
2 Croatia Croatia00000
3 Italy Italy00000
4 Spain Spain00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!