0 v 3 
IrelandDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 October 2021 | 5:00 pm | World Cup Qualification | 2021/22 |
Match Report
Robinson double shot powers Irish win
The Republic of Ireland gained their first three points of the qualifying campaign today after a win over Azerbaijan in Baku.
A first half Callum Robinson brace accompanied by a late Chiedozie Ogbene header secured Stephen Kenny his first competitive win as Ireland boss.
The visitors began on the front foot with their early pressure paying off after just seven minutes.
Robinson, who found himself in the headlines midweek, was fed the ball by James McClean and found the roof of the net with his left foot. It was a great start from the West Brom man and only began what would turn out to be a man of the match performance.
On the half hour mark Robinson nearly topped his first. The ball floated his way with his back to goal and he attempted a right footed acrobatic effort, which just sailed over.
He had his second in the 37th minute however. McClean again fed the ball to him and he came onto his right, before letting fly. His effort despite being tame, deflected and right at the keeper, found the net. Magomedaliyev in the hosts net should be disappointed he didn’t keep it out. Nonetheless, Robinson’s hard work had paid off and the boys in Green were in a comfortable position.
The second half came and Ireland should’ve made it three on numerous occasions before the hour mark. The link up play between Robinson and his teammates, including McClean and Idah, was particularly impressive. McClean nearly had one of his own after a long burst from inside his own half, but it was well blocked. Duffy also missed some good chances and he would’ve deserved a goal due to his excellent display at the back. Still, it never felt this would cost Ireland.
Azerbaijan tried Bazunu numerous times again, but he was always up to the task. He faced a lashed shot from 20 yards, ten minutes from time and pushed it onto the bar. It’s been said already but it can’t be said enough; Ireland may be sorted between the sticks for the foreseeable future.
The cake got its icing right before injury time when substitute Chiedozie Ogbene rose highest to meet a corner and his effort went over the line. There’s areas to work on, but it must be satisfying for all the hard work to finally manifest itself in a win for Kenny and his men.
Timeline
| Callum Robinson | 7' | |
| Callum Robinson | 39' | |
| Daryl Horgan Jamie McGrath | 46' | |
| Adam Idah Chiedozie Ogbene | 59' | |
| 5. John Egan | 87' | |
| 20. Chiedozie Ogbene | 89' | |
| Josh Cullen Conor Hourihane | 93' | |
| Callum Robinson Troy Parrott | 93' |
Past Meetings
|
(Matchday 5)
1 - 1World Cup Qualification
Aviva Stadium Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan |
Ground
| Baku Olympic Stadium |
|---|
| Baku Olympic Stadium, Aeroport şosesi, Sabunchu Raion, Baku, Absheron, AZ1060, Azerbaijan |
Full time. Bazunu and Duffy combine to keep Azerbaijan out near the end. Three points head back to Dublin.
Parrott maybe should have a penalty. Made an instant impact off the bench.
Five minutes tacked on.
3-0! Ogbene on his debut!
Egan is the first Irish player booked.
Robinson denied a perfect hattrick.
Duffy has a good header from a corner saved. Deserved a goal, but it was a very good save.
Duffy heads behind yet another cross.
Bazunu pushes a strike onto the bar. Big save from the youngster, who looks better every time he's called into action.
Doherty gets on the end of an Ogbene cross and heads it down, but it bounces up and over the bar,
Check is over. Doherty did handball but his shirt was pulled. Strange situation.
Referee is checking the monitor for a potential penalty.
Bazunu called into action after McClean is dispossessed and Azerbaijan try one from range. Tips over and nothing comes from the corner.
Doherty crosses to Robinson who can't keep his header down. Has come agonisingly close to a hattrick a couple of times now.
Ogbene makes an instant impact and squares it to Robinson who misses. Was claiming for a corner.
He's replaced by Ogbene.
Idah is off.
Robinson has a good effort saved after a nice one two with Doherty. Playing an absolute blinder.
Robinson crosses it to Duffy who heads wide. Should be three nil.
McGrath makes up great ground but nothing comes of it. Still, nice play from the sub.
Robinson should have his third after being played in by Idah. Ireland enjoying a nice spell of pressure.
McClean burtst forward after a nice one two with Robinson. Effort was well blocked. He did have Idah as an option, but hard to blame him for taking it on.
Azerbaijan get the second half underway. Jamie McGrath is on for Horgan.
Half time. Ireland go into the break two to the good.
Two minutes added on.
VAR was checking that last goal. Didn't seem clear what for though.
Goal! It's another for Robinson after he comes onto his right and his deflected shot goes in!
Horgan with some nice work but can't create anything. Second time his end product has let him down.
Robinson nearly bags another worldie with an acrobatic effort. Just went over.
Horgan is brought down in a dangerous position but no foul is given.
Bazunu saves an Ozobic effort from range. Solid save from the Portsmouth man.
Omobamidele concedes a free. Nothing comes of it.
Ozobic's effort is well off target. Ireland are backing off the home side from range.
Azerbaijan are building pressure these last few minutes. Ireland are finding themselves on the backfoot.
Cullen can continue for now.
Cullen is down. Receiving treatment.
Duffy heads behind a cross. Nothing comes from the ensuing corner.
Bazunu with a routine save from a long shot. Ireland aren't getting much sympathy from the ref early on.
Goal! Callum Robinson finds the roof of the net from range to give the boys in Green the lead!
Horgan bursts into the opposition area early but can't make it count.
Ireland get us underway.
UEFA appear to have the formation wrong, as they have Omobamidele behind Idah up front, as well as Horgan at left wing back with Robinson at right wing back.
In an interview with RTE's Tony O'Donoghue, today's captain John Egan says he feels the last round showed how hard the team is working, but that they must take two wins from these two upcoming internationals.
Although there won't be many Irish fans in the stadium, Stephen Kenny has still praised those who have made the journey to Baku, stressing how much he and the players appreciate it.
The Irish lineup is in. John Egan captains in Seamus Coleman's absence. Daryl Horgan, Adam Idah and Callum Robinson all start while the back three is unchanged from the Serbia game.
Hello and welcome to finalwhistle.ie for coverage of today's World Cup qualifier between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Ireland, I'm Seán Comber and I'll be updating you on today's proceedings.