Evan Ferguson’s second-half header was enough to secure the Republic of Ireland’s first win of the World Cup qualification campaign, as a much-improved second-half display saw them earn a vital 1-0 victory over ten-man Armenia at the Aviva Stadium.
Heimir Hallgrímsson made two changes from the side that was narrowly defeated by Portugal on Saturday. Will Smallbone and Finn Azaz were brought into the midfield, with Chiedozie Ogbene moving to the bench and Josh Cullen missing out through suspension.
Ireland threatened first through two early set-pieces. Will Smallbone was central to the pressure, first seeing a free-kick deflected for a corner before his resulting delivery found Jake O’Brien, whose header drifted just wide of the back post.
Armenia’s first effort on target came in the 17th minute, with Eduard Spertsyan’s shot from outside the area comfortably gathered by Caoimhín Kelleher. The visitors almost found a breakthrough in the 38th minute when Hovhannisyan’s cross was met by Spertsyan, whose low volley flew wide. Ireland finished the half strongly, with Dara O’Shea’s goal-bound header from another dangerous Smallbone set-piece forcing a fine save from the Armenian goalkeeper, Avagyan.
Ireland started the second half brightly, but the game’s pivotal moment arrived in the 52nd minute when Armenia were reduced to ten men, with Barseghyan shown a straight red card for a foul on Finn Azaz.
Ireland almost took immediate advantage, with Nathan Collins forcing an excellent save from Avagyan, who tipped the ball onto the post before O’Shea was unable to convert the rebound. The Armenian goalkeeper was fast becoming his side’s hero, producing another outstanding stop moments later to push O’Shea’s powerful header off the line.
The pressure was relentless, and the breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute. A clever short corner routine saw Smallbone deliver an inch-perfect cross to the back post, where Evan Ferguson arrived unmarked to rise highest and head home from close range—his third goal in four matches for his country.
Ireland pushed for a second, with Jayson Molumby firing just over the bar before substitute Adam Idah was twice denied. First, his close-range effort from a Ryan Manning cross was well saved, and he thought he had sealed the victory moments later after finishing a clever one-two, but his superb low strike was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
Hallgrímsson’s side saw out the remaining minutes to earn a valuable three points in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The Republic of Ireland will conclude their qualification campaign next month with a home fixture against Portugal on November 13th, followed by an away trip to Budapest to face Hungary on November 16th.
Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK), Coleman (Ogbene 65), Manning, O’Shea, O’Brien, Molumby, Ferguson (Idah 80), Azaz, Smallbone (Taylor, 80), Ebosele (Parrott 65), Collins (C).
Subs not used: Bazunu, Travers, Dunne, Ferry, Coventry, Egan, McAteer, Johnston.
Armenia: Avagyan (GK), Muradian, Piloyan (Bichakhchyan 80), Mkrtchyan, Iwu, Shaghoyan (Zelarayán 46), Spertsyan, Barseghyan, Hovhannisyan, Ranos(Miranyan 71), Tiknizyan (Grigoryan 71).
Subs not used: Chancharevich, Beglaryan, Arutiunian, Serobyan, Zelarayán, Muradyan, Aghasaryan, E, Davidyan, Simonyan, Bichakhchyan
Booked: Coleman (IRL), Manning (IRL) Molumby (IRL), O’Brien (IRL)
Sent off: Barseghyan (ARM)
Sky Player of the Match: Festy Ebosele
Referee: Benoît Bastien (FRA)
Attendance: 42,292 |
