Summary

  • Hourihane gives Ireland lead with a superb free-kick

  • Republic of Ireland second in Group D after 1-0 win over Gibraltar

  • Home fans protest hiring of John Delaney by FAI

  • England U21s go down 2-1 to Germany in friendly

  1. 'We could have put two or three past them'published at 22:11 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    FT: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, speaking to Sky Sports: "I lied on Saturday [saying he hated every minute of the win over Gibraltar]. I loved the national anthem, standing for that, I loved our goal and I loved the final whistle. I didn't hate everything. That win gave us momentum, that horrible 1-0 win, but tonight was a 1-0 win of a different ilk. We played really well tonight. We could have put two or three past them.

    "We negated their style of play. The lads worked an unbelievable shift and played really good football. We created opportunities and unfortunately didn't take them but we didn't let them in so one goal takes it."

    On the fans' protest moments before Conor Hourihane's goal: "It didn't affect us. When things like that happen you have to really concentrate. I was conscious we didn't take the free kick and get done on the break. It didn't happen. Whatever was to happen it wasn't stopping that free kick."

    On the draw between group rivals Switzerland and Denmark: "Switzerland were 3-0 up too. They are a very good side but maybe took their foot off the pedal. The top two could cut each others throats and allow us to pick up points. I think we should just concentrate on our two wins."

  2. Postpublished at 22:06 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    FT: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    Mick McCarthy's voice was going as he just spoke to Sky Sports after the game. He sounds like he'd done a fair bit of shouting tonight but was delighted with his team's performance.

    Full quotes coming up.

  3. Wins for Italy and Brazilpublished at 22:05 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    Italy and Brazil both won tonight.

    Italy thumped Liechtenstein 6-0 in Euro 2020 qualifying Group J. They are top of the group with two wins from two.

    Brazil fell a goal behind in their friendly against the Czech Republic but turned it around to win 3-1. Roberto Firmino scored once and Gabriel Jesus twice.

    Gabriel JesusImage source, EPA
  4. 'Solanke deserved his goal'published at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    England U21s 1-2 Germany U21s

    More from Aidy Boothroyd: "Germany are a good team. We have to adapt to that and be good enough to overthrow them. We were a little bit tentative in the first half. In the second half I was much more enthused by what we did.

    "This could be a real positive. I would rather lose this game than one in the Euros. As disappointed as we are, it's one we have to learn from.

    "Dominic Solanke's goal got us going. I am really pleased for him because his work off the ball was terrific tonight. He made some good runs and got what he deserves. He has been in this system for a long time. He is just getting his career going again at Bournemouth and I think he will flourish."

    On Phil Foden's performance: "We couldn't get him on the ball in the first half but when he gets it in those pockets, he isn't giving it up.

    "He has a lovely weight of pass and he has so much talent. The more he plays with us, the better he will get. No doubt about it. In an ideal world, he will get in the first team and he is good enough to do that which is why Pep Guardiola has put him in there. If he gets his games and plays like that, he will get more chances."

  5. Postpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    FT: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    Mick McCarthyImage source, PA

    Mick McCarthy has now won his first two competitive matches in charge of Republic of Ireland in both stints as manager, also claiming victory over Liechtenstein and Macedonia back in 1996.

  6. 'That's football'published at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    England U21s 1-2 Germany U21s

    England U21s captain Dominic Solanke speaking to BT Sport: "That's football. You won't win every game. We have been on a fantastic unbeaten run and we will take all the positives and negatives from the last two games and take them into the tournament [European Championships this summer]."

  7. A Norwegian thriller in Oslopublished at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    There have been some crazy games tonight.

    In the 'Scandinavia derby' Norway were 2-0 ahead after 60 minutes before Sweden scored three goals to go 3-2 up, including a 91st-minute goal which looked like a winner.

    That wasn't the end of the drama though with Ola Kamara grabbing an equaliser for Norway in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

    That's as well as the 3-3 draw between Switzerland and Denmark.

    Josh KingImage source, EPA
  8. 'Losing that goal at the end hurts'published at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    England U21s 1-2 Germany U21s

    England U21s manager Aidy Boothroyd speaking to BT Sport: "We are disappointed because we want to win every game we play. We tried different things and I saw a lot of positives. It was a good test for us. It was two good teams having a go at each other.

    "I thought Phil Foden was exceptional and it was nice to see Dominc Solanke get on the scoresheet again. They came out the traps quicker in the first half but to lose that goal at the end hurts. It's a horrible loss but we have to look at the positives.

    "There was a head injury. I'm looking and thinking you have to stop the game. We're disappointed. If it's a terrific goal then you hold your hands up but it was a scrappy goal, in a friendly and the referee should have stopped play and awarded us a free-kick."

  9. Spain maintain winning startpublished at 21:49 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    Steady if not spectacular.

    Spain have six points from six after following up a narrow win over Norway on Saturday with another victory, as expected, in Malta.

    Although the landslide expected from Spanish fans might not have materialised in Valletta, there will be plenty for Luis Enrique to dissect in his analysis of the performance by a young and experimental side.

    And that is credit to Malta. The home side, ranked 182nd in the world, battled hard and frustrated their illustrious visitors throughout, with keeper Henry Bonello producing several stunning saves.

    Spain's Alvaro MorataImage source, Getty Images
  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    #bbcfootball

    JavelBleach: Could have won this 4-NIL but instead, they did what they always do & clung to the one goal advantage. That approach will lose them points in the coming games.

  11. Postpublished at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    FT: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    The win for Republic of Ireland means they now top Group D.

    It's all over in Basel.

    Denmark scored in the 84th, 88th and 93rd minutes to come from 3-0 down to draw with Switzerland.

    The table now looks like this:

    Ireland P2 W2 D0 L0 Pts 6

    Switzerland P2 W1 D1 L0 Pts 4

    Denmark P1 W0 D1 L0 Pts 1

    Gibraltar P1 W0 D0 L0 Pts 0

    Georgia P2 W0 D0 L0 Pts 0

  12. Postpublished at 21:42 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    European Championship Group D qualifier resultImage source, BBC Sport
  13. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    All over!

    1-0 to the I-re-land.

    Conor Hourihane's goal means Mick McCarthy has two wins from two at the start of this qualifying campaign.

  14. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    The home fans are whistling furiously. Mick McCarthy waves his arms around to direct his players. Can Ireland hold on for a crucial win?

    40 seconds left.

    David McGoldrick of IrelandImage source, Getty Images
  15. Postpublished at 90+2 mins

    Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    Denmark have come from 3-0 down to level at 3-3 in stoppage time against Switzerland! Ireland are top of the group as things stand!

  16. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:38 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2019

    England U21s 1-2 Germany U21s

    There's no time left for England U21s.

    Their unbeaten run ends at the hands of Germany.

  17. ADDED TIMEpublished at 90 mins

    Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    And there'll be four minutes of added time at the Aviva Stadium.

  18. Postpublished at 90+6 mins

    England U21s 1-2 Germany U21s

    We're into the sixth minute of added time due to Walker-Peters' injury. Can England create one last chance?

  19. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia

    It's all got frantic for Republic of Ireland. Georgia have gone three at the back for the closing stages.

    Glenn Whelan is telling Darren Randolph to slow things down.