Let's be honest, the Republic were leading but they hadn't exactly been dominating.

In fact, before that goal they'd made 64 passes in total, with only 39 of those finding their intended target. Not great.

Georgia, on the other hand, had completed 242 of 267 passes.

Otar Kakabadze has a deflected shot, but Darren Randolph is able to hold on to it as it bobbles towards the post. This is really poor by the Republic.

Georgia can sense the game is there for them now and only a bad touch denies them another chance, Stephen Ward clearing.

We have a first yellow as Nika Kvekveskiri dives in two-footed on James McClean. Some referees would have sent him off.

Image source, Reuters

James McClean does well to draw the foul from Saba Kverkvelia by touching the ball ahead of him. The Georgian is lucky to avoid a yellow card. The free-kick is terrible though and the first man cuts it out.

James McClean does well to keep the ball in play down the left, he hooks it back to Shane Long, whose ambitious half-volley from the edge of the box is well over the bar.

Anyone who watches the Republic of Ireland often will know this is a familiar sight. Score an early goal and then just sit in. They usually have a bit more than 18% of the ball mind.

Serbia are now 2-0 up against Moldova, Aleksandar Kolarov on the scoresheet.

In what's becoming an increasingly rare attack, James McClean just lumps a cross straight out of play. Not sure anybody was up there for the cross had it been better anyway.

Ciaran Clark pumps a long ball up and Shane Long - a lonely man up front - chests it down into his own half and then eventually commits a foul as he tried to get proper control.

Harry Arter has only had two touches by the way, I'd forgotten he was playing.

John McEnerney: As an Irishman I'm delighted we're leading but I know only too well we are prone to being caught off guard and let in sloppy goals

Image source, Reuters

Otar Kakabadze's excellent cross from the right is punched away by Republic keeper Darren Randolph. The visitors are up to 20% possession now. I'd like to see Georgia's crossing stats, they've had a lot of them. David Moyes style. Stephen Ward clears the latest one.

Serbia lead Moldova in the other game in this group. Bad news for the Republic of Ireland and Wales, although the Serbs - who are above the Irish on goal difference - would be expected to win that one. Mijat Gacinovic has scored their goal.

A moment of worry for the Irish defence as a cross is flicked on but Giorgi Kvilitaia can't turn it home. Goal-kick.

Just as I see that the Republic have only had 18% possession, they should make it 2-0. Jon Walters whips in an excellent cross, which an unmarked James McClean heads wide.

The Republic have the chance to counter but Shane Long's pass out to James McClean on the left wing is poor. McClean harries the defender in his usual style but he can't keep the ball in play.

Corner to Georgia as Shane Duffy hooks Nika Kvekveskiri's cross/shot over the bar. The home fans make plenty of noise as the corner comes in - but it's headed wide by Giorgi Kvilitaia.

Georgia are spending quite a bit of time dallying on the ball in defence, Shane Long almost takes advantage but Guram Kashia just manages to get the ball back to his keeper in time.

Image source, Reuters

We'll have full team news for the Wales v Austria game at about 18:45 BST, but here is what we know already...

Wales are without Stoke midfielder Joe Allen and Aston Villa left-back Neil Taylor because of suspensions.

Midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley might struggle to play the full 90 minutes. Arsenal man Ramsey has just recently returned following a calf injury, while Ledley is lacking game time as he is currently unattached.

As for Austria, they will be without ex-Cardiff forward Guido Burgstaller is out with a bruised foot.

The Republic have a free-kick from wide right, which Robbie Brady curls past everyone and beyond the back post. It's been a good start from the boys in green.

Juliette Ferrington
BBC Radio 5 live in Cardiff

This has definitely got the feel of a big game - a proper cup final vibe.

There will be a full house in Cardiff tonight and the Football Association of Wales have unleashed the mighty dragon on every seat - 33,000 of them.

They've never done the flags here before inside the ground so that tells you all you need to know in terms the magnitude of this evening and the atmosphere the players and staff want to create.

The #TogetherStronger campaign was in force last night at the team hotel, with the senior squad watching the U21s get their European Championship qualifying campaign off to a winning start.

Chris Coleman now switches attention to tonight and says Wales "definitely want to give you a performance and a result that will make you proud".

That Shane Duffy goal is bad news for Wales too, who will be seven points below the Irish going into tonight's game with Austria. Speaking of that game...