Callum Robinson spares Republic of Ireland blushes in narrow win over Malta

Callum Robinson scored his first international goal in a year as Republic of Ireland ended 2022 with a narrow friendly victory in Malta.

Robinson’s 55th-minute strike secured a 1-0 win on a night when Ireland were once again frustrated for long periods, this time by a side sitting 119 places below them in the FIFA rankings, to leave manager Stephen Kenny with more questions than answers ahead of Euro 2024 qualification.

That the opportunity was gifted to the frontman by an error rather than creative brilliance – even if his finish was adept – was perhaps fitting as Kenny’s men for the second time in four days laboured to break down a team intent on sitting deep and denying them space in the final third.

A 1-0 win was the very least they needed to take into their opening qualifier against current world champions France in March, but while that was something Group B rivals Greece could not manage in Malta three days earlier, it will do little to inspire confidence for that campaign.

Having endured a frustrating first 45 minutes against Norway on Thursday evening, Ireland set out with greater intent at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium as Alan Browne unlocked the home defence with a through-ball to Chiedozie Ogbene, whose cross was blocked, before Robinson saw a fifth-minute attempt deflected wide.

However, Ireland were fortunate to escape when the hosts got in behind Seamus Coleman and Oxford striker Jodi Jones found himself in space, but he could not beat Caoimhin Kelleher with his 12th-minute drive.

Malta, who have been drawn into the same Euro 2024 group as England and Italy, were working hard to frustrate the visitors, but Nathan Collins picked out Robinson’s 23rd-minute run, and it took Enrico Pepe’s intervention to deny