Scotland took a small but significant half-step on the road to qualification for France 2016 as a second-half own goal deflected in off John O’Shea secured a combative, entertainingly messy 1-1 draw with the Republic Ireland in Dublin. With Poland winning 4-0 at home to Georgia and Germany flexing their muscles against Gibraltar later in the evening this result brings the first hint of a three-team breakaway from the peloton in Group D, leaving Ireland two points back in fourth and facing a tricky autumn run-in.
There was no shortage of Irish effort in a full-throated, bruising qualifier, interrupted now and then by unexpected outbreaks of neat passing football. Scotland’s greater control in possession, helped by the decisive introduction of Ikechi Anya at half-time, is probably a fair reflection of the balance of power between the two teams. Towards the end, despite a spattering of half-chances, Ireland were a bludgeon when what was required was a razor edge.
In the buildup to this match Martin O’Neill had suggested his team would be cautious in pursuit of the victory they needed to cancel out last November’s defeat in Glasgow. The presence of Wes Hoolahan in the starting team suggested an eye on attack, although Daryl Murphy’s selection as a lone striker raised an eyebrow or two before kick-off. Murphy is still to break his international duck after 16 caps, but he was top scorer in the Championship this season. This was a match that was as close as international football is likely to get to a Championship fixture. Murphy played well here, too, having six shots on target, more than Scotland’s entire team combined, and leaping brilliantly to create Ireland’s opening goal.
On a crisp, bright Dublin afternoon Ireland started brightly, pressing down their right side and drawing loud, swirling roars around the Aviva Stadium’s groovily cantilevered sides. Scotland had plenty of guile in their starting side, with Steven Naismith on the left and Shaun Maloney a scuttling menace between the lines. Maloney created the first real opening for Steven Fletcher after 10 minutes, Shay Given tipping his fierce shot over the bar.
Mainly, though, this was tight, unforgiving and physical stuff from two muscular teams, with Glenn Whelan leading a robust Irish midfield effort. Alan Hutton and Jon Walters were involved in assorted ongoing skirmishes and James McCarthy was booked for a raised elbow in a challenge with Russell Martin. Ireland’s goal on 38 minutes came more or less out of the blue, although it was no surprise it should come from a set piece.
Robbie Brady whipped in a fine corner from the right, Murphy timed his run perfectly to head towards goal and Walters found himself unmarked six yards out as Marshall palmed the ball out at his feet. Walters, all alone in the crowd, nudged home after a slight pause. Perhaps he was waiting for a flag. It might have come too, depending on your view of first and second phases of play. Either way Walters was clearly offside when the first header came in.
Ireland were energised. Just before the break Brady again pinged a corner across the six yard box, the ball bounced in front of goal before being hacked clear. But Scotland, to their credit, responded immediately at the start of the second half. Gordon Strachan had sent on Anya for Matt Ritchie at the break and it was Anya who played a nice one two with Maloney on the edge of Ireland’s box, finding space for Maloney to poke a shot past Given and into the corner of the net. A significant deflection off O’Shea made all the difference. But the equaliser was fair reward for the best move of the game and for Strachan’s own boldness in putting a player on to push back Séamus Coleman on Ireland’s right.
Moments later Marshall made a fine double save at the other end from Murphy and Walters as the match threatened to rev up through the gears. Anya, who has had an excellent qualifying campaign, continued to find space on the left, crossing beautifully with 64 minutes gone only to see Given punch the ball down into the ground and away. In patches Scotland’s ball-players looked capable of taking the game away from Ireland, but the home side continued to press with great energy and aerial menace.
With 18 minutes to go O’Neill played his key hand, sending on Robbie Keane, whose buildup to this match had been so troubled. There were chants of “Keano” all round the stadium for the world’s current top scoring international player, and Keane’s movement immediately suggested a more dynamic threat that never quite seemed to materialise in a fraught last few minutes.
Brady produced some excellent crosses. Keane shot powerfully but straight at Marshall. And in the end Ireland lacked the guile and patience to craft the one clear chance their energy might have deserved. At the final whistle there were huge cheers from Scotland’s fans behind the goal for a result that leaves only one of these teams with any real hope of splitting Group D’s top two.
