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Republic of Ireland national football team
European Championship | Playoffs
Nov 16, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team

2-0

Walters (24' pen., 70')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Player Ratings: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Sports Mole analyses how the players fared in Dublin as the Republic of Ireland beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to reach Euro 2016.

Jonathan Walters struck in both halves to inspire the Republic of Ireland to a spot in Euro 2016 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Dublin as the hosts closed out a 3-1 aggregate victory.

The Stoke City man opened the scoring from the penalty spot to ensure a slender half-time lead, before netting a second and killer goal on 71 minutes.

Robbie Brady, who scored in Zenica, was among the stars for the Irish on a night which saw them seal their ticket to France.

Here, Sports Mole looks at the heroes and villains from the Irish capital.

Jon Walters of Republic of Ireland scores from the penalty spot during the Euro 2016 play-off second leg match between the Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2015© Getty Images



REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Goal

Darren Randolph: Had precious little to do once again tonight as the players ahead of him limited the amount of clear-cut chances for the visitors. (6/10)

Defence

Seamus Coleman: Excellent in both halves as the Everton man refused to give Lulic an inch in which to hurt the Irish. (6/10)

Richard Keogh: The Derby County man was superb for the most part on Friday, and Keogh was good here again as he kept Dzeko on a short leash. (7/10)

Ciaran Clark: Defended brilliantly, just as he did in Zenica, and one defensive header in the second half was particularly crucial. (7/10)

Robbie Brady: Looked much better than Friday - despite his goal - and found himself a lot more involved at left-back. One or two hairy moments defensively, but a very accomplished showing on the whole. (7/10)

Midfield

Jonathan Walters: Relatively quiet overall, but rolled home the first-half penalty which took his team to the brink of Euro 2016, before adding the killer goal later in the clash. (8/10)

Glenn Whelan: Sat in front of his defence well as usual, but his distribution was occasionally erratic. (5/10)

James McCarthy: Like Whelan, could have used the ball a little better, but his off-the-ball contribution cannot be questioned over both legs. (6/10)

Wes Hoolahan: Some moments of magic from the Norwich City man, but these were few and far between. Good overall though. (6/10)

Jeff Hendrick: Dovetailed well with Brady down the left, though his final ball was lacking more often than not. (5/10)

Attack

Daryl Murphy: His physicality proved something of a nuisance for Bosnia's defence, but the big striker added very little else to the cause tonight. (5/10)

Substitutes

James McClean: Picked up a silly booking which almost resulted in a goal. Energetic as ever though. (5/10)

Shane Long: Could and certainly should have made it 3-0 on the night, but missed a one-on-one with Begovic. (4/10)



BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Goal

Asmir Begovic: Blameless for the opening goal, but Walters beat him at his near post for the second and killer goal, though he can take no blame for Bosnia's exit. (5/10)

Defence

Ognjen Vranjes: Was targeted by the Irish, and with good reason. He never got to grips with left-back Brady bombing forward, and was partially to blame for the second goal. (4/10)

Ervin Zukanovic: Conceded the first-half penalty, but hugely unlucky to do so. Decent showing overall from Zukanovic in an unfamiliar centre-back role. (6/10)

Emir Spahic: Could and should have received a second booking having made three rash challenges after already picking up a yellow card. Jeopardised his side's chances big time. (3/10)

Sead Kolasinac: Did precious little wrong and kept Walters on a relatively short leash all things considered. (5/10)

Midfield

Edin Visca: One of his team's brighter players in the first leg, and the right-winger was just as dangerous tonight as he got the better of Brady a few times, though his delivery was not on point. (5/10)

Edin Cocalic: Assured defensive midfield display from Cocalic, who was excellent in the first leg. (6/10)

Haris Medunjanin: Recalled to the side and should have justified his inclusion with a goal, but he sent a first-half volley over the bar. (5/10)

Miralem Pjanic: Anonymous on Friday, and the Roma midfielder was barely involved again. He had the magic to influence things for Bosnia, but not the wand over both legs. (4/10)

Senad Lulic: Replaced on 80 minutes following another anonymous showing from the right-winger. (4/10)

Attack

Edin Dzeko: Drifted in and out of the game; mainly out of it as Ireland's defence usually gobbled him up within seconds of picking up possession. (4/10)

Substitutes

Muhamed Besic: Added a bit of steel to Bosnia's midfield. They could have done with him from the start of the tie. (6/10)

Milan Djuric: Offered precious little in the final third despite having plenty of time in which to do so. (4/10)

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Jon Walters #14 of the Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on Novemb
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