Shane Duffy rescued the Republic of Ireland by heading an equaliser three minutes from time against Azerbaijan. One point from four qualifiers makes reaching the World Cup an outlandish notion but at least Emin Mahmudov gave Azerbaijan a lead in Dublin, APA reports.

Azerbaijan composed themselves and began to deflate the hosts with slow, confident passing. Midway through the first half Murtuz Alasgarov forced Gavin Bazunu into his first serious save, the goalkeeper diving to his right to push away a drilled shot from 20 yards. Jayson Molumby and Idah both went close as Ireland responded, but there was a shock in store. Maybe they should have been expecting it given how Kenny’s luck has gone so far. Certainly Irish players should have closed down Mahmudov as he decided what to do more than 25 yards from goal. Instead the Neftchi Baku midfielder was allowed to shoot and he walloped the ball into the top corner, to an audible gasp from the crowd.

Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev had looked shaky under crosses all game, and Ireland at least tested his shot-stopping when Parrott shot from 20 yards. The keeper batted it away. He should have been beaten a minute later when Horgan delivered another cross, but John Egan nodded wide from six yards. Duffy did likewise five minutes later. At least Egan found the target in the 72nd minute, but his gentle header was easily saved.

Duffy broke through at last, butting an unstoppable header into the net from a cross by Cullen.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency