European Championship
Nov 16, 2015 7.45pm
2
0
HT : 1 0
FT
  • Jonathan Walters 24' goal
  • James McClean 59' yellowcard
  • Jonathan Walters 70' goal
  • yellowcard Emir Spahic 20'
  • yellowcard Senad Lulic 23'
  • yellowcard Ervin Zukanovic 83'
  • yellowcard Milan Djuric 93'
  • yellowcard Edin Dzeko 93'

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

Rep of Ireland 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

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.


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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