Michael Obafemi scored from distance in his full debut for the Republic of Ireland as Stephen Kenny’s side breezed past Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
The 21-year-old’s 30-yard wonder goal cemented a comfortable win for the hosts at the Aviva Stadium.
It came after back-to-back defeats by Armenia and Ukraine raised fresh questions over Kenny’s future.
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The Republic of Ireland’s first competitive win in Dublin since they beat Gibraltar in a Euro 2020 qualifier in June 2019 was set up by first-half goals from Alan Browne and Troy Parrott, who doubled Ireland’s entire Nations League tally inside eight minutes, and was thoroughly deserved as the Scots wilted in Dublin.
John McGinn passed up two first-half chances for Steve Clarke’s men, but they rarely threatened to get themselves back into the game once they were behind on a dismal afternoon for the 2,500 travelling fans among a crowd of 46,947.
FT | Ireland 3-0 Scotland
What a result 💚
Goals from Michael Obafemi, Troy Parrott and Alan Browne secure the win for Ireland 👏#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #IRLSCO pic.twitter.com/VsoBXApaWP
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) June 11, 2022
As expected, Kenny shuffled his pack, handing Obafemi a first senior start for his country in one of five changes to the side which lost to Ukraine in midweek, while Grant Hanley and Scott McTominay were drafted into the Scotland line-up in place of John Souttar and Stuart Armstrong.
Ireland, stung by the criticism they had received after a poor start to the campaign, started with real tempo as Jason Knight snapped into tackles and wing-backs Browne and James McClean worked their way into advanced positions.
The visitors quickly settled, however, and, with McTominay orchestrating from the middle of the field, pushed the home side back towards their own goal.
Obafemi was unable to make the most of Hanley’s early slip which looked to have put him in behind the Scottish defence, but Browne had to block Andy Robertson’s goal-bound 12th-minute strike and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher had to get down well to field McGinn’s skidding attempt seconds later.
The Republic lacked penetration as Scotland sat back and denied space when they were in possession, in the process preventing midfielder duo Josh Cullen and Jayson Molumby from doing any meaningful damage.
But it was they who took the lead with 20 minutes gone when Shane…
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