Shane Duffy’s late equaliser gets the Republic of Ireland out of jail

Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan – FIFA World Cup 2022 – European Qualifying – Group A – Aviva Stadium
(Image credit: Niall Carson)

Shane Duffy got the Republic of Ireland out of jail as they left it late to rescue their first point of the World Cup qualifying campaign with a face-saving 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan.

Duffy’s 87th-minute header, his fifth international goal, cancelled out Emin Makhmudov’s stunning first-half strike and belatedly opened Ireland’s Group A account at the fourth attempt on an evening when they stared further embarrassment full in the face.

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