No persons under the age of 18 are permitted to gamble. South African Responsible Gambling Foundation toll free counselling line 0800 006 008
Commentary
Minute
Description
90' +2
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 1-5 DENMARK.
90' +1
These two minutes of stoppage-time are nothing more than a formality.
90'
Penalty goal scored by N. Bendtner for Denmark!
NO MISTAKE FROM BENDTNER! An incredible, almost unbelievable scoreline as Denmark's night to remember keeps getting better. Bendtner hammers his penalty into the top corner and that's five for the Danes.
88'
PENALTY TO DENMARK! Bendtner is hacked down in the area by McLean as he leads the charge on a counter. Insult to injury for Ireland as Denmark look to make it five...
86'
STAT: Denmark have scored four goals for the third time in their last six matches (4-0 over Poland and 4-1 over Armenia). Christian Eriksen scored five and assisted three of those 12 goals.
84'
N. Bendtner enters the game and replaces N. Jørgensen.
Nicklas Bendtner replaces Jorgensen for the final minutes.
83'
If not for the Denmark supporters who made the trip, you would be able to hear a pin drop inside the stadium. Denmark continue to threaten, despite taking their foot off the gas, as this scoreline could yet still get worse for Ireland.
81'
Credit to these Ireland supporters, many of whom have stuck around despite the scoreline. They are set to miss out on yet another World Cup, but these passionate fans are sticking around to the final whistle to show their support for the Boys in Green.
79'
Chance for nothing more than a consolation marker for the hosts, but luck is not on their side as Long's cleverly chipped effort crashes down on the roof of the net. Ireland are very much playing for pride now.
77'
STAT: Christian Eriksen (11) is level with Romelu Lukaku for third in goals in the European qualifying phase, behind Robert Lewandowski (16) and Cristiano Ronaldo (15).
Minute
Description
75'
Ireland experienced playoff joy when they beat Bosnia in Dublin to reach Euro 2016, while Denmark experienced the lows that often accompany these play-offs as they were ousted by Sweden. Well the two have switched roles this time around, and these travelling supporters are savouring every second of it.
73'
C. Eriksen has scored a goal for Denmark!
RUSSIA BECKONS FOR THE DANES! Denmark are heading to Russia on a bus driven by Christian Eriksen. The attacking maestro completes his hat-trick here with another composed finish, and this one removes any shred of doubt surrounding the result.
71'
S. Long enters the game and replaces C. Clark.
Shane Long is on now for Ireland to play the final 20 minutes that appear nothing more than a formality, replacing defender Ciaran Clark.
70'
A. Cornelius enters the game and replaces Y. Poulsen.
Denmark's second change sees Poulsen, who took that nasty blow to the head 10 minutes ago, replaced by Andreas Cornelius.
68'
Another chance for Denmark to break as Eriksen leads the charge and picks out Jorgensen. The striker can't produce the first touch he needed, however, as he fails to send it over for Sisto and the chance goes begging.
66'
STAT: Christian Eriksen has been directly involved in 13 goals in the World Cup 2018 qualification process (10 goals, three assists), nice more than any other Denmark player.
64'
If there is a way back for Ireland, they haven't shown it. Coming into the second half in need of two goals, they showed little in terms of an attacking threat, and now they need three. It's all but over for them.
63'
C. Eriksen has scored a goal for Denmark! Assist by P. Sisto.
Sisto, who has been terrific tonight, provides the assist.
DENMARK ARE ON THEIR WAY TO RUSSIA! Surely that's that! Class shines through above all else, and Christian Eriksen has it in spades. He takes a pass in the centre, looks up and bends a stunning effort into the top corner from 20 yards, leaving Randolph with no chance!
60'
Well Poulsen pops up and shrugs off the training staff as it looks like he will be good to continue here - or at least by his own judgment. It's definitely one to keep an eye on going forward.
59'
Worrying moments for Poulsen who takes a knee to the head and stays down. The medical staff is tending to him, but surely he will have to give way as a measure of safety? You really don't want to be risking things when it comes to head injuries.
57'
NEARLY THE DAGGER! A quick touch from Jorgensen sprays the ball out wide for Eriksen, who sprints free on goal from the halfway line. Good hustle from the Irish defence keeps him just to the outside, and Randolph is able to beat the strike away!
56'
Straight at Schmeichel! Duffy has been Ireland's biggest attacking threat tonight, and that's a worry for O'Neill. He's at it again here, meeting a corner with his ead, but sending his effort right into the waiting arms of Schmeichel.
54'
P. Ankersen enters the game and replaces J. Stryger Larsen.
Ireland having to do a lot of chasing here as Denmark control possession and patiently work it around in the attacking half. Sisto is allowed to charge forward and let a shot fly, forcing Randolph into a save, before the ensuing corner from Eriksen comes to nothing off the head of Jorgensen.
Stryger Larsen has been struggling since his fall in the early minutes of the match, and he labours his way off the pitch here as Denmark make their first change, introducing Peter Ankersen, who started the first leg at full-back.
52'
STAT: Ireland have lost just one of their 11 competitive home matches under Martin O’Neill (W6 D4), a 0-1 defeat against Serbia in September.
50'
Two vital pieces of defending from Ireland! First it's Ward who manages to get a touch on a threatening cross at full-stretch, before Christie does well to block Sisto's effort behind for a corner. Another Denmark goal would effectively put this tie to bed.
48'
A pair of attacking players join the ranks for the hosts in the second half, with two defensive-minded players giving way. Hoolahan makes a quick impact, winning Ireland a corner, but Brady's delivery is dealt with accordingly by Denmark.
46'
W. Hoolahan enters the game and replaces D. Meyler.
A. McGeady enters the game and replaces H. Arter.
Aiden McGeady is brought on by Martin O'Neill for this second half, replacing Arter.
Meyler also gives way, with Wes Hoolahan taking his place.
Two changes for Ireland at the interval and they get this second half underway here, needing to produce a massive response.
45'
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 1-2 DENMARK.
44'
The tempo has gone a bit from the match as Ireland struggle to keep the ball in attack. Denmark have adopted a much more patient approach in possession, and understandably so. Ireland are going to need to regroup at the interval.
42'
STAT: Ireland have scored three goals in a match just once in their last 20 competitive matches, a 3-1 victory in Moldova in October 2016.
40'
Denmark relieve the pressure and some strong running from Jorgensen up top helps them to win a throw in the attacking half. These supporters in Dublin have been silenced, and now they're growing restless.
38'
Ireland have taken the onus on themselves now, but they're struggling to carve out much of a chance in attack. It's all a bit stale from them, with creativity in high demand but short supply. Where will the goals come from?
36'
In the simplest terms, Ireland need to score twice to qualify. Of course the grave reality of the situation for them is that it's not nearly that simple. This goal-shy nation has to dig deep here and do something they rarely do - score three goals in a match.
34'
You just knew, at one point, that the quality of Christian Eriksen was going to shine through in this tie - and it has done here at the vital moment for Denmark. It's quite a remarkable turnaround from the Danes in the space of three minutes, as the floodgates have opened. Ireland need two now.
32'
C. Eriksen has scored a goal for Denmark! Assist by N. Jørgensen.
Jorgensen provides the assist, but Poulsen deserves credit for his ball to find him in the build-up as well.
DENMARK HAVE TURNED THIS TIE ON ITS HEAD! Surely they have a foot in to Russia now! It's counter-attacking football at its finest as Poulsen picks out Jorgensen, who finds Eriksen, and the Spurs attacker guides a sumptuous first-time strike off the bar and in! Stunning!
31'
STAT: The Boys in Green had kept a clean sheet in their last three matches – they had not gone four competitive internationals without conceding since November 2001, which included a World Cup play-off game from the last time they qualified for the tournament (v Iran).
29'
A. Christensen has scored a goal for Denmark! Assist by P. Sisto.
DENMARK HAVE FOUGHT THEIR WAY BACK INTO THE TIE! It's the crucial away goal they so desperately craved! It was sloppy, it was scrappy, it was so very Irish of them, you could say, but they won't care in the slightest! Christiensen's effort following a low, deflected cross smacks off the post, back off Christie and somehow into the net! It just scraped past the line as Christie couldn't sort his feet!
28'
Ireland are applying good, high pressure off the ball, which has done plenty to disrupt Denmark's rhythm in possession. As much as the Dane's are looking to push the pace, they're having to implement much more negative play in their build-up than they would like.
26'
Through 25 minutes and already this second leg has provided miles more excitement than what we saw in the first in Copenhagen. Denmark are dominating possession, keen to push the tempo, while Ireland have packed a nice little punch on the counter.
24'
INCHES WIDE! Momentum swinging back into Ireland's favour again! Brady and McLean link up nicely on the left, but the latter drags a strike just wide of the far post from a tight angle. It had to be absolutely perfect to score from there.
23'
Good response from Ireland! Christie makes a tidy run forward on the flank and does well to tee up Murphy in the centre with his cross, but the deft touch from the striker sends the ball into the side netting! That's an important passage from Ireland, as confidence was really starting to build in the Denmark side.
21'
STAT: Ireland have failed to win either of their last two competitive home fixtures against Denmark, losing 1-4 in a 1986 World Cup qualifier, and drawing 1-1 in a 1994 World Cup qualifier.
19'
Randolph at it again! Ireland being carved open here as Denmark push the pace. Jorgensen does well to fend off a challenge and pick out Sisto in all sorts of space in the penalty area, but the Celta Vigo man sends his strike straight at Randolph who parries behind smartly!
17'
STUNNING FROM RANDOLPH! It's the first meaningful involvement for Randolph, and it's a decisive one as he dives across valiantly at full-stretch to get his fingertips to a blistering low strike from Kvist that just may have taken a deflection on the way through.
15'
Dropping deep in defence are Ireland now, which is doing nothing to relieve the anxiety inside the Aviva Stadium. They are just inviting a bit of pressure on their goal here, something they will not want to do for another 75 minutes.
13'
Denmark have been in the ascendency since falling behind, taking on the responsibility of the circumstance they have created for themselves. They couldn't break down this Ireland defence over 90 minutes in Copenhagen, but they will have to do so now in Dublin.
11'
Decent chance! Stryger Larsen runs through on the back of Christie to get on the end of a long ball over the top, but he gets the finish all wrong at the far post - and he's in a lot of pain here after an awkward landing. Denmark will play a man down for a moment here.
9'
It's not the end of the world for Denmark yet, of course. If you're going to concede, it may as well be early. This gives them plenty of time now, knowing exactly what they need, to start taking their fate into their own hands. One goal is still enough to send them through.
7'
It's a dream start for Ireland, one that has these home supporters rocking louder than ever! This noise is going to prove a nightmare for Denmark now, as they have it all to do in such a hostile atmosphere.
6'
S. Duffy has scored a goal for Republic of Ireland!
IRELAND OFF AND RUNNING IN A FLASH! Barely five minutes on the clock and the hosts have lift-off in Dublin! A free-kick right at the halfway line is lofted into the area, and a poor touch from Jorgensen leaves Schmeichel grasping at thin air as Duffy heads Ireland closer to a berth in Russia 2018!
3'
It's an intimidating atmosphere for Denmark to walk into tonight, but they will be buoyed by the fact that should they score first tonight, Ireland would need to score twice - a feat they have accomplished just twice in their last 11 matches.
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! Denmark in white as they get the match underway, attacking left to right, with Ireland in their famous green.
Hello and welcome to the Aviva Stadium for this massive night in Dublin as Republic of Ireland host Denmark in the second leg of their World Cup qualifying play-off, with one of these nations set to punch their ticket to Russia 2018 tonight!
A hard-fought goalless draw in Copenhagen leaves the tie perfectly poised heading into tonight’s return leg in Dublin, which is sure to be met by a raucous and tense atmosphere, with these Ireland supporters hoping to celebrate long into the night.
This is far from unfamiliar territory for Martin O’Neill’s men, who faced this same predicament in their Euro 2016 qualifying play-off against Bosnia. After drawing the first leg in Zenica, Jon Walters took centre-stage in Dublin, his brace sending them to France.
What goal-starved Ireland lack in star-power, they more than make up for with grit, tenacity and unity. Ireland have proven they don’t need a star, but what they do need is a hero – someone to step up tonight and provide that magical moment that could send them to their first World Cup since 2002.
That’s an area Denmark need not worry about. Christian Eriksen will be the best player on the pitch tonight, and the Dane’s will be relying on his brilliance – already playing a huge role in getting them here – to send them to the World Cup for the fifth time in their history.
Just one change made by Martin O’Neill from the first leg as David Meyler marks his return to the side at the expense of Bristol City youngster Callum O’Dowda. Meyler slots into the centre of midfield, pushing Jeff Hendrick into O’Dowda’s vacated place on the right flank.
Age Hareide has tinkered with his team from the first leg, switching formations and making two changes in personnel. Chelsea's Andreas Christensen is brought into the XI to accommodate the switch to a back three, with full-back Peter Ankersen dropping to the bench. Pione Sisto switches out to the flank, with Yussuf Poulsen coming in to join Nicolai Jorgensen up top, replacing Andreas Cornelius.
As far as international support is concerned, these Ireland supporters are hard to compete with. A stunning atmosphere in Dublin tonight greets the national anthems and it's getting awfully loud as kick-off rapidly approaches.
Shane Duffy had Ireland off and running inside of six minutes, sending the Aviva Stadium into hysteria, but Martin O'Neill and his troops have it all to do in the second half after a Cyrus Christie own-goal and a second from Christian Eriksen completed a remarkable turnaround from Denmark, and has Age Hareide's side 45 minutes away from punching their ticket to the 2018 World Cup.
Denmark are heading to the World Cup in Russia next summer on the back of a five-star performance from hat-trick hero Christian Eriksen. It was Shane Duffy and Ireland who drew first blood, but that was all the joy they would have on the night as a devastatingly clinical showing from Eriksen sends the Danes to the World Cup at the expense of toothless Ireland.
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Commentary
More…