Ireland weren't at the races in a lacklustre 2-0 win over qualifying struggler Gibraltar tonight, but now sit top of the group with ten points from a possible twelve.
The Boys in Green took the lead within the half hour, a McGoldrick strike took a heavy deflection off Joseph Chipolina to go in.
And it wasn't until the 92nd minute before Ireland added another - with Robbie Brady heading in from close range after a nice ball in from James McClean.
Here's how the Irish players rated at the Aviva Stadium clash tonight:
Darren Randolph 6 - Saved the day in Gibraltar but could have leafed through a good book here
Seamus Coleman 6 - Assisted the fortunate opener and gave Gibraltar some headaches going forward
Shane Duffy 6 - Close with early header before trying his luck from 40-yards. Pretty clear which he’s better at.
Richard Keogh 6 - Quiet day at the office but had a headed effort stopped on the line late on.
Enda Stevens 5 - Second game running where the chemistry with McClean was non existent. Booked.
Callum Robinson 7 - Always willing to have a go and close to scoring with a fine drive before the break. MOTM
Jeff Hendrick 5 - A low-key performance in a two-man midfield with Gibraltar afforded time on the ball.
Conor Hourihane 5 - A rising star of this team but didn’t stand out here on a night when few others did.
James McClean 5 - Should have bossed this game but flew under the radar until assisting Brady’s goal
David McGoldrick 7 - Scored a fortunate opener and then smashed the woodwork in the second-half.
Scott Hogan 6 - Very little came off for him but he had a go and was a pest for visiting defenders
IRELAND SUBS:
Sean Maguire for Hogan - 66 mins
Robbie Brady for Robinson - 73 mins
GIBRALTAR: Goldwin; Sergeant, J Chipolina, R Chipolina, Olivero; Annesley; Casciaro (Bardon 10), Walker, Hernandez (Jolley 76), Pons (Britto 64); De Barr
Referee: R Petrescu (Romania)
Attendance: 36,281
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