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Republic of Ireland 1 Denmark 5: Sensational Christian Eriksen hat-trick ends Irish World Cup dream
The Republic of Ireland have put their heart and soul into this World Cup qualification campaign, they have much to be proud of, but when it mattered most they were short of the one thing that really matters - quality.
That was provided for Denmark by Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen, who scored a quite magnificent hat-trick, stroking two shots into the net like he was knocking balls into an empty goal at the end of a training session, before smashing in a third as Ireland wilted in the presence of his brilliance.
Denmark had one world class player in their team, Ireland have none. Small margins, perhaps, but they tend to make a huge difference in the outcome of international games.
Ireland took a gamble and lost. Having smothered Denmark in the first leg in Copenhagen, they tried something different in the second and left the space for Eriksen to lead his country to a World Cup. He – and they – deserved it.
By the time Ireland play in one, it will have been at least 20 years since their last. A whole generation will have grown up and without seeing their country play in the biggest tournament of them all.
World Cups tend to take place without Ireland in attendance; they are a party the Irish get an invite to, but rarely turn up for.
They have only played in three – 1990, 94 and 2002. Opportunities like this are rare, they are chances that need to be seized. It was not the weight of Irish football’s World Cup history that weighed heavily on Irish minds, it was the lack of it. Not since 2009, when Ireland lost in play-off to France – and a controversial handball by Thierry Henry in the build up to their winning goal – have Ireland got so close.
On that occasion it was pulled from the grasp, their dreams shattered on the floor by a cheat prospering. It is a wound that has never properly healed. Those that cut so deep rarely do, but this was the moment to fade that bitter memory to the brink of deletion. This was the moment to write a new chapter.
It had the perfect opening paragraph. The contest had barely begun when Ireland won a free-kick on the halfway line. Shane Duffy exchanged a few words with the taker, Robbie Brady, and trotted forward.
It was fairly obvious where the set-piece was heading and Nicolai Jorgensen read it, but instead of heading clear he went with a high foot and only managed to send it on to its intended target. Duffy leapt superbly and got his head to it a split second before goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to nod Ireland in front.
It was a predictable sort of Ireland goal, but O’Neill had sprung one surprise, playing James McClean alongside Daryl Murphy up front.
It made Ireland more of a threat going forward, but they did not look secure at the back. This is what O’Neill has always feared. He knew the risks but he felt this was the time to gamble, to throw away the shackles.
Ireland had other chances, a flick with the outside of his boot from Murphy almost turned in Cyrus Christie’s cross before McClean had an even better one. It came at the end of a lovely move, Brady eventually played the ball in behind the Danish defence for McClean to run on to. The angle was tight, but he has scored goals from that sort of position before. This time, the finish lacked precision and he dragged it wide of the far post.
It was a huge miss. Minutes later, Denmark were level after Harry Arter was beaten too easily from a short corner routine by Pione Sisto. He got to the byline and although Andreas Christensen’s sliced his shot against the post, it rebounded in off Christie who had wandered off the upright.
Ireland were stunned and a setback turned into a disaster when Stephen Ward was robbed by Yussuf Poulsen, the ball was moved on by Jorgensen to Christian Eriksen and Denmark’s star player and stroked a first time shot into in off the underside of the crossbar. A beautiful goal at the end of an ugly five minutes for Ireland.
The World Cup in Russia suddenly looked well beyond their reach. The away goals rule meant they would have score twice in the second half.
O’Neill was not going to let the dream die wondering. Off went Arter and David Meyler – on came Aiden McGeady and Wes Hoolahan. Caution was no longer a viable policy.
Denmark managed the game superbly, winding down the clock. Duffy had a header saved from a corner, Christie jinked his way through the defence but shot rather than try to pick out a teammate. Ireland took risks, Eriksen running clear but under pressure from Duffy, shot too close to Randolph.
He would not be denied for long, curling a shot beyond Randolph from 20 yards as Ireland backed off before capitalising on a mistake by Ward – his second of the night – to smash in his third and Denmark’s fourth.
Nicklas Bendtner added a fifth from the penalty spot late on as Ireland unravelled.
Full time - Republic of Ireland 1-5 Denmark
And that's it! Denmark go to Russia 2018, the Irish will be left at home.
90 mins
Two minutes to be added on.
GOOOOOAAL!! Bendtner makes it five from the spot
Bendtner steps up, sends Randolph the wrong way, and makes it 5-1.
Penalty to Ireland!
Denmark break with Bendnter, and McClean is charging back after him, head down - he really doesn't want another Denmark goal going in. He does well to catch play up, but then, in the most predictable thing ever to happen EVER, he throws himself at the ball and cuts Bentdner down to concede a penalty. What an utterly stupid decision.
85 mins
McClean comes in off the right flank and fires at goal from 30 yards and it flies - unsurprisingly - miles over the bar.
84 mins
Nicklas Bendtner is on. Denmark's very own Zlatan Ibrahimovic replaces Jorgensen for the final 6 minutes.
80 mins
Eriksen wants more - he's released down the right and charges after it but he can only win a corner.
78 mins
A decent chance for Long after a straight ball forward from Hoolahan sets him free, but under pressure from Kjaer and Bjelland he can only scoop his shot over the bar.
GOOOOOOAAALL! Eriksen hat-trick! It's 3-1 to Denmark
It's a horror show for Ward, but it's yet more sheer class from Christian Eriksen, who has his treble.
Cornelius lobs a hopeful ball into the Ireland box, Ward leans back and only succeeds in stopping the ball inside his own box - and Eriksen is quickest to react.
The Spurs man comes steaming in and slams into the top corner for his hat-trick.
71 mins
O'Neill responds: it's all or nothing now. Forward Shane Long comes on for centre-back Ciaran Clark. This could get ugly.
70 mins
Another change for Denmark. Former Cardiff man Cornelius replaces Poulsen, who got that knock a short while ago.
66 mins
Ward gets forward well and drinks a decent cross onto McClean's head but he fires his effort just over. More than half a chance, that. Ireland need a goal soon.
Eriksen or Coutinho? I know who I'd choose
If Christian Eriksen was Brazilian someone would be bidding £115m.
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) November 14, 2017
GOOOOOOAAAAAALL!!!! Ireland 1-3 Denmark (Eriksen)
That's it. Christian Eriksen is a class apart from every other player on the pitch, and he has shown it for a second time with another wonderful goal.
He has been helped by Martin O'Neill's to play this second half without a defensive midfielder, picking up positions between the lines and he does so again he to extraordinary effect. Listo finds him on the edge of the box after a patient build-up from the Danes, and Eriksen shifts onto his left foot and just brushes a lovely left-footed effort into the corner with Randolph again helpless. Tie over?
60 mins
Christie dances past three challenges in an attacking position on the right, but his drilled ball across goal is cleared. Then a combination of McClean and Ward absolutely clatter Poulsen, who needs medical attention.
Shortly after the Denmark fans start greeting each pass with an 'Ole!'. Too early for that, lads. Too early.
57 mins
A decent break from Ireland with McClean fouled but a good advantage played, and they have numbers piling forwards, but twice in succession - first Christie, then McGeady - poor crosses let them down. And the second launches a Denmark attack.
Duffy flies into a challenge and misses completely, and suddenly Eriksen is away down the left. Pace isn't his greatest asset, and he is caught by Clark, but not before getting a decent shot off that Randolph palms away. Ireland got away with that.
McGeady's feather-weak cross there somehow sets up a Danish attack.
Have to say that was a baffling substitution.— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) November 14, 2017
55 mins
Hoolahan does well to win a corner, which Duffy heads at goal but it's a simple save for Schmeichel.
53 mins
Denmark have started this half really well, and are completely dominating possession. The Irish changes have yet to make any difference so far. Sisto stings the fingers of Randolph with a well struck effort from the edge of the box.
A change for Denmark: Peter Ankersen replaces Styger Larsen - a defensive move - could that be five at the back now?
51 mins
A decent effort from Sisto, who darts in off the left and fires at goal but it is blazed just high and just wide.
50 mins
Poulsen wins a high ball forward and flicks it on to Jorgensen. He finds Eriksen, who floats a cross into the centre but Ward does really well to toe-end it away for a corner - which comes to nothing.
47 mins
Hoolahan slots in behind Murphy, McGeady goes out to the right. Hendrick and Brady in the middle of the park for the Irish.
Double sub for Ireland!
O'Neill going for it here! Arter and Meyler are replaced by McGeady and Hoolahan - a really attacking move. Huge 45 minutes coming up. And we're off.
Half time
Well, what a half that was, and I doubt many expected that kind of entertainment after the goalless first leg. After going in front, the Republic of Ireland weren't really sure how to approach the rest of the game. Denmark took advantage, swarming forward in numbers as they went after an equaliser, and Ireland crumbled in three minutes that may decide their World Cup fate. It's all to play for but Ireland have an awful lot to do in the second half. Here's the half in graphical form:
Shots
Possession
Average position
44 mins
The ball breaks for Brady in a central position with space to move into. The crowd sense an opportunity. Ward goes charging outside Brady down the left and Brady slides a pass into his team-mates path, but Christensen does really well to get back first and get a toe in, meaning Ward clatters into him and he wins a free-kick.
This could stick
Irish Proverb: "That Goal Was Too Early"
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) November 14, 2017
41 mins
McClean goes down far, far too easily in the box under the faintest of nudges from Christensen, and he's desperate for a penalty but the referee right waves play away.
40 mins
People say his club, Tottenham, are a one-man team. His country might be even more reliant on one man...
12 – Christian Eriksen has been directly involved in 12 goals in the World Cup 2018 qualification process (nine goals, three assists), eight more than any other Denmark player. Leader.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 14, 2017
36 mins
Ireland need to get a foothold back in this game. Denmark are looking confident and in full control, knowing Ireland now need two goals with away goals counting double. There will be no extra time, by the way.
GOOOOOOAAAALLL!!! Ireland 1-2 Denmark (Erisken)
Oh dear, Ireland - the game's been turned around in two minutes and Denmark are in front. Robbie Brady tries to take on Poulsen and has possession nicked from him. Poulsen finds Jorgensen, who returns the ball back out to the right where Poulsen has caught up.
He reverses back to Jorgensen, who sweeps it out left to Christian Eriksen, and he thunders the ball off the underside of the bar past a helpless Randolph.
GOOOOOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Ireland 1-1 Denmark (Christie own goal)
Sisto had a shot from distance deflected over, Eriksen takes the corner short to Sisto, who looks like he's let the chance go by opting not to return the ball to Eriksen. But Sisto stands Arter up, slips the ball through his legs and crosses low and hard.
Christensen swings a leg at it and it bounces towards goal - Christie is on the back post but he can't sort his legs out quickly enough, and the ball cannons off the upright, onto the right-back and into the net. So unlucky for him - but Denmark are level.
28 mins
Ireland seeing much less of the ball, and playing a much more direct game - but so far, it's working. Here are the passes from the two teams:
24 mins
What a match this is - James McClean runs onto Brady's through ball after good work with his back to goal by Daryl Murphy. The West Brom winger is clean through but the angle is getting tighter and tighter. He eventually fires off and hits it well enough but just drags it wide.
22 mins
So nearly 2-0 to Ireland! And half the ground thought it was in, too! Murphy gets across his man to flick Christie's whipped cross from the right towards goal with the outside of his left boot, but it whistles JUST past Schmeichel's left post.
20 mins
Ireland fire a warning on the break, McClean getting clear down the left and squaring for Murphy, but he tries to squirm away from the defender rather than set it back for his arriving team-mate and the move falls apart.
18 mins
And another big save! This time Eriksen finds Sisto on the left and his volleyed effort is well hit but straight at the keeper. Ireland retain their lead but pressure is building.
17 mins
What an unbelievable save from Randolph! Denmark get Eriksen on the ball for the first time tonight and they construct a move nicely for the first time, too. The ball is worked left and then right, eventually pulled back by Christensen to the edge of the box for Kvist to slam low and hard towards the bottom left corner - but Randolph palms it away.
15 mins
Ireland will be as surprised as anyone that they got an early goal, and their whole gameplan will have to change now - how do they approach the final 75 minutes? You can't invite too much pressure but equally there's no need to go too gung ho for another goal. Decisions, decisions.
11 mins
What a ball that is and that is a decent chance for Denmark. Kjaer launches an angled ball from the right-back position towards Larsen who has caught Christie unawares on the opposite flank. The ball comes down out of the sky and it is a really difficult chance but he still should do better. He gets it all wrong and bundles the ball harmlessly wide.
7 mins
Denmark go straight up the other end with a set-piece of their own, but Ireland hold firm and clear.
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLL!!!!! Ireland 1-0 Denmark (Duffy)
The Republic win a free-kick for a push just next to the centre circle and they take an age over it, sending their centre-backs up and loading the box. The set-piece is eventually launched forward by Brady, long and straight and direct. Jorgensen gets a toe to it but can only spoon it up in the air. It isn't anyhinh like properly cleared, and Duffy out-jumps Schmeichel to nod the ball home! Ireland are in front!
3 mins
Two heavy challenges, first from Brady on Eriksen and then from Meyler on Sisto, are penalised, much to the annoyance of the home fans. The ref isn't going to let those slide.
1 min
Positive start from Larsen down the left but Christie stops him in his tracks, and concedes a throw-in. Kvist picks up where Denmark left off by launching the throw into the box. Ireland clear.
10 Irish players were in danger of missing this game if they were booked in the first leg
All 10 escaped a yellow, and there is a clean slate tonight. This could be fiery.
We're under way in Dublin.
The Aviva is rocking for the national anthems
Ireland's competitive home record under O'Neill
Pretty impressive reading, right? Can Denmark trouble the Irish?
Martin O'Neill talks
"We are here to win this match. Of course, there are risks that come with being more expansive.
"Are we preparing for 120 minutes? First and foremost in the players' minds is: we have to win the game
"The players are ready."
A closer look at those teams
David Meyler is back after missing the first leg through suspension, and he captains the Republic tonight. Meanwhile, Bristol City's Callum O'Dowda drops to the bench, replaced on the right by James McClean who switches from the left flank. Robbie Brady will move out to the left after playing centrally in midweek.
Denmark bring RB Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen in on the flank, with Andreas Cornelius dropping to the bench, while Chelsea's Andreas Christensen also comes back in.
The teams are in
Ireland: Randolph; Christie, Clark, Duffy, Ward; Arter, Meyler, Hendrick, Brady, McClean; Murphy
Denmark: Schmeichel; Christensen, Kjaer, Bjelland, Larsen; Eriksen, Kvist, Delaney; Poulsen, Jorgensen, Sisto
Martin O'Neill sends out a word of warning
Martin O'Neill has warned Denmark not to be taken in by the Republic of Ireland's paltry World Cup goals tally.
The pair meet in a decisive play-off second leg encounter at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening with Ireland having managed to find the back of the net on only four occasions in their Group D qualifiers in Dublin.
Indeed, they managed only 12 goals in total during the entire campaign and could not add to it in Saturday evening's 0-0 draw in Copenhagen.
O'Neill is acutely aware of the chasm 68-goal Robbie Keane left on his retirement from international football, but remains confident his team can find a way to beat the Danes.
He said: "You have to treat the game on its own merits. You can't look at the past now and say: 'Well, we didn't do this and we didn't do that'.
"Some of the games we might have scored more goals in, but we're not prolific. Really top quality Republic of Ireland sides have not been able to score goals.
"You have Robbie Keane out on his own and the next person to him is someone who might have forced a corner or something like that. Seriously, that is the case.
"There have been great players who have played for the Republic of Ireland in their history and they have never been prolific.
"We have to find the net and we think we're capable of doing it. We find everything tough, it's the nature of us. We don't have all the skills that maybe other nations have.
"We have to find it in different manners. I've said that umpteen times, we have to find it. So far, the lads have come up big in matches and tomorrow is a massive game and we're hoping to do it again."
