1 v 1 
AzerbaijanVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 September 2021 | 5:00 pm | World Cup Qualification | 2021/22 |
Match Report
Duffy delivers late draw for Ireland
Shane Duffy’s late header earned the Republic of Ireland their first point of their World Cup Qualifying campaign after a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan at the Aviva Stadium.
The hosts began the game brightly but allowed the visitors to come into the game as the half wore on and Emin Mahmudov’s injury time goal saw the home side go into the break a goal down.
Ireland were relentless in attack in the second and the pressure proved late on when Duffy’s header equalised for the Boys in Green.
Stephen Kenny's charges started well with runners attacking and opening up the Azerbaijan defence. It looked as if an early goal would surely come as Ireland came close to scoring on several occasions.
Matt Doherty headed wide from an excellently angled Josh Cullen ball, while strong running from Adam Idah posed a huge threat to the visitors. Idah muscled his way into the visitors box at one stage but his cross was defended and went out for a corner as the pressure built on Azerbaijan. Soon after the defence opened up for Seamus Coleman but his attempt to bend the ball into the Azeri net went wide.
Ireland faded gradually though and allowed the visitors into the game however. Azerbaijan fired a number of timid shots at Ireland keeper Gavin Bazunu as they gained confidence and enjoyed possession after the 20 minute mark while Ireland continued to try and get forward but could not break down an improving Azeri defence.
A minute was added on at the end of the half and as the Azeris roamed forward again Ireland appeared complacent. When Emin Mahmudov received the ball outside the Ireland box he found himself in plenty of space and fired a long range shot which beat Bazunu for the game's opener and Ireland went into the break a sickening goal down.
The Republic increased their intensity in the second 45 in search of an equaliser and barely allowed the Azeris into the game at all. Substitute Daryl Horgan was energetic from the off and Jayson Molumby's header from his cross went just wide. Troy Parrott also had a shot as Ireland continued to apply the pressure on the visitors but the Azerbaijan defence stood strong, helped in particular by some great goalkeeping by Sahruddin Mehemmedeliyev.
Ireland continued to attack but just couldn't find that cutting edge and looked as if they would fall to another defeat as the game entered its final stages.
Enter Shane Duffy. The Derry-man had hit a header over earlier in the half but up stepped the big center-back again in the 86th minute onto a great cross to hit a powerful headed ball past the Azeri keeper beaten at last.
Both sides had chances as the game opened up in the final minutes but neither could get a winner and the Republic of Ireland and Azerbaijan's first ever fixture ended in a 1-1 draw.
Along with the visitors, Ireland earned their first points of the World Cup Qualifying campaign, but the side are still without a competitive win under Stephen Kenny's management.
Timeline
Ground
| Aviva Stadium |
|---|
| Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Pembroke West A ED, Dublin, Dublin 4, Leinster, D04 FP65, Ireland |
Full-Time at the Aviva. Shane Duffy's late header gives Ireland a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan.
Horgan's cross caught by the visiting keeper
Robinson's toe poke rolls to the Azeri keeper
5 minutes added at the Aviva
Duffy Equalises!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ireland just can't create that golden chance as the Azeris remain solid
Robinson's attempt goes wide from close range
Collins replaces Matt Doherty
Two final changes for the Azeris
Ireland pressure continues
Third consecutive corner for Ireland
Hourihane's timid header easily grasped by the Azerbaijan keeper
Doherty wins a free in Azeri territory
Three substitutes for Azerbaijan on
Duffy's powerful header goes over!
Kryvotstuyk is booked for the visitors
Ireland still threatening but no luck chance wise
Hourihan's shot brings to an end some threatening play for Ireland
Callum Robinson and Conor Hourihan replace Parrott and Molumby
Idah's glancing header goes wide. Could well have scored there.
Parrott's shot is batted away by the Azeri keeper. Ireland ratcheting up the pressure now
Dangerous cross from Mclean is missed by the keeper but comes to no Irish player. Ireland probing but no clear chance
Molumby bundles the Azeri keeper into his goal as he challenges for a James Mclean ball. Booked by the referee
Horgan's shot comes off a defender. The winger has been full of energy since coming on
Ireland posing a great threat since the half begun
Azeri keeper was booked for time wasting at the start of the half
Daryl Horgan replaces Aaron Connolly for the second half
Ireland starting this half well, similar to the first
Second half is underway!
Half-Time at the Aviva. Ireland 0 - 1 Azerbaijan. Good start from the Boys in Green but allowed the visitors into it as the game wore on. Mahmudov's late strike gives the visitors the lead as Ireland have it all to do in the second-half.
Emin Mahmudov with the goal for the visitors on half-time. Ireland defenders failed to close him down and the Azeri struck into goal from distance
Azerbaijan score a stunning goal in additional time!
One minutes additional time at the Aviva
Bazunu comes out to collect a shot from the Azeris. Ireland back on the attack
Ireland having most success down the left side with Connolly and Mclean often beating the defender
Play back on after Azeri keeper went down injured
Connolly's shot is saved by the Azeri keeper
Azerbaijan solid defensively as Ireland probing for an opportunity
Ireland with most of the possession still trying for that breakthrough
Ireland working it forward well now
Molumby comes close to goal as Ireland play it around the Azeri box
Medvedev causing Ireland trouble down the right flank
Ireland have died out of the game as the Azeris have begun to look confident going forward
Good spell for Azerbaijan, applying pressure to the Irish defense
Good shot by the Azeris saved by Bazunu at the right post
Good pressure from Ireland winning back possession, ireland pressing high on the the Azeri kick-outs
Ireland trying to move it fast to beat the Azeri block
Doherty's ball to Troy Parrott is overhit and goes wide
Ireland win a free in the Azeri half
Bazunu saves a timid shot from an Azeri attacker
Azerbaijan now enjoying some possession
Bazunu collects from Azerbaijan's first real attack
Space opens up for Coleman and he has a shot but bends it wide
Ireland relentless in coming forward so far - some great link up play in Azeri territory
Great run by Idah into the Azeri box, wins a corner but defended by the visitors
Ireland starting well
Doherty heads wide from Cullen's cutting ball into the Azerbaijan box
Coleman plays a long ball to Idah but the Azeri keeper comes out bravely to collect
Ireland looking to start with a 3-4-3 formation, Coleman slotting in as a CB
And we're off at the Aviva!
A few Azeri fans also in attendance as the Anthems play
Close to 20,000 Irish fans making themselves heard as kick-off approaches in Dublin
Can Ireland get their first three points of the World Cup Qualifier campaign tonight? - ten minutes 'til Kick-Off at the Aviva!
Looks like Ireland will revert to a back 4 for tonight's game with a midfield of 5, Troy Parrott in an attacking midfield role slotting in behind Idah up front.
James Mclean, Jayson Molumby, and Troy Parrott come into an attacking Republic of Ireland lineup for this evening\'s game.
Like Ireland, Azerbaijan have yet to register a point in this World Cup Qualifier group and were beaten 2-1 by Luxembourg on Wednesday night.
Ireland will be looking for their first competitive win under manager Stephen Kenny this evening. Two late Cristiano Ronaldo goals saw Ireland cruelly beaten by Portugal on Wednesday night but it was perhaps the team's best performance so far under Kenny's reign.
Welcome along to the Republic of Ireland's first ever international fixture versus Azerbaijan. My name is Jack Joy and I'll be taking you through this evening's World Cup Qualifier action at the Aviva Stadium. Kick-Off is at 5pm!