Robbie Brady scored twice as the Republic of Ireland ended their 2014 on a high by beating USA 4-1 in Dublin tonight.
Goals from Anthony Pilkington and Mix Diskerud had ensured that both teams went into the break level.
However, Ireland, who arguably scored three of their goals against the run of play, re-took the lead on 56 minutes through Brady, before James McLean added a third after the visitors heavily threatened another equaliser.
Brady then completed the scoring with a superb free kick in the closing stages to flatter the Boys in Green.
Below, Sports Mole takes a look at how Martin O'Neill's side managed to win by such a convincing margin.
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Match statistics
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Shots: 8
On target: 5
Possession: 41%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 15
USA
Shots: 11
On target: 5
Possession: 59%
Corners: 11
Fouls: 9
Was the result fair?
No. The scoreline does not paint an accurate picture of what transpired at the Aviva Stadium tonight. USA, despite ultimately losing by three goals, were much the better side overall and will count themselves dreadfully unlucky to lose - especially by such a heavy margin.
Republic of Ireland's performance
Martin O'Neill claimed pre-match that he wanted to see a good performance and a good victory. He got one of his wishes tonight. They were fortunate to be able to end their 2014 on a victorious note, having found themselves out-played and out-fought for much of the contest. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to argue that all four of their goals came against the run of play tonight. The result flattered the Irish immensely.
The manager will be buoyed over how clinical his side were in front of goal, but if not for the heroics of 38-year-old goalkeeper Shay Given then this one might have been totally different and it will give O'Neill something to think about over the festive period.
USA's performance
Despite the scoreline, Jurgen Klinsmann's side did not do much wrong tonight and the German will wonder how USA came away with nothing on his plane back to California. They did not deserve to fall behind but did not let their heads drop when they did; they continued in the same vein and saw their patience rewarded with a fantastic team goal that Mix Diskerud finished off.
Even after falling behind again in the second half, the Americans constantly threatened an equaliser and it was only when Ireland bagged a fortuitous third that the wind was taken out of their sails. They may be without a win in the four games since their World Cup campaign, but they can include this one as a moral victory.
Sports Mole's man of the match
David McGoldrick: Robbie Brady scored twice, but it is hard to look past the Ipswich Town man for several reasons.
McGoldrick bagged two wonderful assists on what was his Ireland debut. It was his second that was most impressive as he opted against shooting himself by showing incredible awareness to chop the ball back to the unmarked Brady, who then netted his first of the evening.
It was an act of selflessness that is seldom seen by strikers. Brady will get the plaudits for scoring twice, and rightly so, but it was a superb debut from the Ipswich hitman.
Biggest gaffe
An error from David Meyler led to the Americans equalising in the first half, but it was not as costly as Bobby Wood's miss in the second half. The USA striker surged through Ireland's defence when the game was 2-1, showing fantastic pace and determination but he lacked the most important factor: composure. It has to be said that Given pulled off a fine save in the one-on-one, but it will go down as a big chance wasted. He should have scored and it was undoubtedly the decisive moment in the game.
Referee performance
Poland's Pawel Raczkowski probably would have expected a quiet evening by virtue of the jovial occasion, but it didn't quite turn out that way. The towering figure established his authority in the first half by booking Kyle Beckerman, indicating that reckless challenges would not go unpunished despite the exhibition feel. He went on to book three more players in a solid refereeing performance.
Shane Callaghan
