Ireland continue their trend of conceding gallingly ugly goals

When the clock in Linz stuck 60 minutes, Austria manager Ralf Rangnick turned to Sasa Kalajdzic, his long-limbed, 6’7” striker. The game was locked in a sinewy stalemate to that point, as Ireland had settled comfortably into the contest after a skittish start.

The visitors found their footing primarily thanks to their trio of centre-backs. Dara O’Shea looked regally comfortable dealing with whatever aerial threat came his way, while Liam Scales won most of the scrappy duels into which he was drawn.