Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 November 2021 | 7:00 pm | U21 International | 2021/22 |
Match Report
O’Neill grabs late winner for Ireland 21’s against Sweden
A last minute winner from super-sub Ollie O’Neill gave the Republic of Ireland Under 21's a famous 1-0 victory over Sweden at Tallaght Stadium tonight, to keep Jim Crawford’s men in the running for qualification for the 2023 European Championship.
This result means Ireland move to third in Group F just three points off second placed Italy.
O’Neill’s glorious finish was literally the final kick of a tightly contested match-up in which the hosts impressed against the previously unbeaten group leaders.
After a rocky opening the hosts finally got going, putting together some nice passages of play and looking up to the challenge ahead of them.
They frustrated their opponents, forcing them to play the long game rather than their preferred way of slick passing and quick one-twos.
When Ireland did get forward it was the running of Tyriek Wright that seemed to cause the Swedes problems. Wright’s crossing in the first-half was exceptional but none of his teammates managed to get on the end of his deliveries.
The teams went in scoreless at the break but Ireland had begun to look the better side. After the restart the tempo of the game increased and the tie looked as though it was there for the taking for either team.
Will Ferry was introduced after the hour mark and was immediately presented with two chances inside the box. He failed to find the target both times.
With 15 minutes left Ireland had totally taken over the game, bombarding the Swedish defence.
Tyriek Wright looked as if he had the winner with eight minutes to go, when a deflected shot sent Samuel Brolin the wrong way and the Irish winger was presented with the majority of the goal in front of him.
Wright was stunned when his tame effort was palmed away by Brolin. O’Neill was brought on for the Cork man just minutes after his miss.
An incredible Conor Coventry pass picked out O’Neill with less than a minute of injury-time left. The Fulham man kept his composure and lined up his shot, slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Timeline
Past Meetings
 
(International Friendly)
1 - 0U18 International
Sweden v Ireland |
|
(International Friendly)
2 - 2U18 International
Sweden v Ireland |
0 - 1Women's World Cup Qualification
Tallaght Stadium Ireland v Sweden |
|
(International Friendly)
1 - 1U19 International
Sweden v Ireland |
|
(International Friendly)
2 - 2U19 International
Sweden v Ireland |
1 - 0UEFA Women's EURO Qualification
Sweden v Republic of Ireland |
0 - 5UEFA Women's EURO Qualification
Tallaght Stadium Republic of Ireland v Sweden |
|
(International Friendly)
3 - 2Women's Senior
Oscar Traynor Centre Ireland v Sweden |
|
(International Friendly)
0 - 1Women's Senior
Eamonn Deacy Park Republic of Ireland v Sweden |
|
(International Friendly)
2 - 1Women's Senior
Glysisvallen ,Sweden Sweden v Republic of Ireland |
Ground
| Aviva Stadium |
|---|
| Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Pembroke West A ED, Dublin, Dublin 4, Leinster, D04 FP65, Ireland |
GOAL! The super sub Ollie O'Neill shakes his defender off of him and fires the ball home
Sweden win a corner
Noss fires an effort at goal but Brolin saves
Evan Ferguson goes through on goal but drags his effort wide
Wright can't believe it! Virtually an open goal in front of him and Brolin manages to to dive across and save it
Ferry blasts an effort over the bar
Kayode with a chance from close-range but he puts it wide
Wright fouls the 'keeper Brolin
Will Ferry blasts an effort over the bar
The Swedes starting to dictate possession
An even second-half, game is there for the taking for either side
Hussein with a wild effort that soars over
Smallbone is booked for a handball
Sarr skies an effort over the bar after a Jake O'Brien error
Waelmark is booked for a foul on Coventry
O'Brien is booked for a push on Sarr
The hosts get things back underway
HT: Ireland have edged it so far the first-half. Frustrating their opponents and creating the best chances so far
Ireland frustrating Sweden and applying the pressure in the closing moments of the first-half
Tierney meets Smallbone's cross but blazes his volley over the bar
Shouts for a penalty to Ireland as Tierney goes down, but referee waves play on
Wright spins his man on the wing and crosses the ball in but no one is there to meet it
Smallbone strikes from distance bit skies the ball over the bar
Kayode presses Brolin and nearly wins the ball back but it goes out for a goal kick
Elanga goes down inside the box after what looked like a foul from Lee O'Connor. The referee waves it away and replays show it was a dive
Brian Maher makes a good save after a shot from Hajj
Ireland looking comfortable sitting back and allowing Sweden to play in front of them
Coventry can't find Smallbone at the back post with a cross. Positive play from ireland
First passage of play so far where Ireland have enjoyed some time on the ball, ends with a misplaced pass by Coventry
Ross Tierney is fouled by Vagic
Early passage of play and Sweden looking sharp in possession of the ball
Sweden kick things off
Kick-off at Tallaght Stadium is just 15 minutes away
Tonight's game will be difficult for Jim Crawford's men. Sweden are Group F leaders and remain unbeaten in this qualifying campaign.
Sweden starting XI is live
Ireland starting XI is up
Hello and welcome to FinalWhistle.ie's coverage of tonight's 2023 U21 European Championship qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Sweden. I'm Sean Crosbie and I will be keeping you updated on tonight's fixture