Ireland U21s boost Euro qualification hopes with win over Sweden

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s secured a huge three points in their bid to qualify for the 2023 UEFA Under-21 European Championships as they defeated qualification rivals Sweden 2-0 at the Borås Arena in Borås, Sweden on Tuesday evening.

Goals in each half from Ross Tierney and substitute Tyreik Wright were enough to earn Ireland the victory which sees them rise to third in Group F, but crucially they are just one point behind Sweden in second but still have a game in hand.

Sweden came into this game sitting top of the group, but it was Ireland who emerged victorious when the sides last met back in November with Ollie O’Neill grabbing a late winner at Tallaght Stadium.

The home side were the first to threaten in the 11th minute when Amin Sarr raced onto a long ball over the top of the Irish defence from Jesper Tolinsson but under pressure from the recovering Oisin McEntee, the striker’s powerful strike was saved well by goalkeeper Brian Maher.

That save proved to be decisive as less than a minute later, the young Boys in Green took the lead thanks to a smart finish by Ross Tierney.

The Motherwell midfielder was also involved in the build-up as he laid the ball off to Gavin Kilkenny on the right before continuing his run into the penalty area.

His clever movement meant he was in the right place when Kilkenny’s cross was sliced by the defender, but Tierney still had a lot to do, and he did it brilliantly to get his foot over the ball and drill it past the keeper from close range.

From that point on Ireland defended resiliently, although they did need Maher to stand tall and produce another excellent stop to deny Armin Gigovic, who was sent bearing down on goal following neat interplay between Patrik Wålemark and Sarr.

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