Almost time for the second half you'd hope.

Irish striker Scott Hogan only had seven touches in that first half - the only player for either side with less than 10.

For anyone scoffing at the Nations League... winning this group would give the Republic of Ireland a Euro 2024 play-off place.

And promotion to the top tier of the tournament next time.

As things stand it's a three-way tie at the top with the Irish, Ukraine and Scotland - although Stephen Kenny's team have played an extra game.

None of Ukraine’s 11 Nations League games have finished level (W7 L4).

They have only failed to score once.

Ukraine put the Irish under some late pressure just at the end there with a few crosses but the away defence held firm.

Image source, BBC Sport

The half-time whistle goes and the Republic of Ireland lead thanks to that fantastic solo goal from Lionel Messi. Sorry I mean Burnley centre-back Nathan Collins.

Scott Hogan can't flick on Darragh Lenihan's long free-kick and it rolls through to the home keeper.

Three minutes added on.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is free near the penalty spot but hooks a volley so far away from goal I'm not even sure if it was a shot or flick-on.

Ukraine captain Andrii Yarmolenko feels some contact from Dara O'Shea and throws himself to the ground. The referee waves for the Ukraine man to get up. No penalty.

Nathan Collins' goal was the fifth of his career for club and country. Two for Stoke, two for Burnley and one for the Irish.

Image source, BBC Sport

Another Irish chance now as Jason Knight hammers one in from 25 yards and Dmytro Riznyk parries it away. Nobody can tuck in the rebound.

This game has opened up. James McClean hammers in a low ball into the box but it's behind the Irish strikers.

Chance for Ukraine now as Oleksandr Karavaev runs onto Mykhailo Mudryk's cross but blazes over.

The Republic of Ireland could win consecutive competitive internationals for the first time since March 2019 (1-0 against Gibraltar and Georgia in Euro 2020 qualifiers).

Mick McCarthy was in charge then.

Ireland are banging in a wonder goal a game at the moment. Well if you ignore all the games before the last one...

I'm not joking, that was a fantastic goal than any Premier League striker would be delighted with.

Dara O'Shea shoots wide for Ireland. Barely half a chance.

Ukraine's Ruslan Malinovskyi is replaced through injury. He looks in some discomfort holding his side.

Mykhailo Mudryk is on. He actually came on about a minute after Malinovskyi went off.