The Guardian reported that Republic of Ireland produced an impressive win over Israel in Debrecen after a week in which the fixture was dominated by political and internal team tension. The match had even been in doubt on Saturday before the players took the field.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side started sharply, with their forwards scoring in the first half to settle the contest, according to the report. The game also carried unusual pre-match symbolism: Ireland’s staff turned away during the Israeli anthem, the players wore black armbands and there were no handshakes or pennant exchanges.
The report also said goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for selection, prompting Hallgrimsson to pick Jimmy Dunne as a third goalkeeper and to leave Finn Azaz on the bench. Hallgrimsson described the week as one of the hardest of his coaching career, but said the players had shown what playing for Ireland meant to them.
What remains unconfirmed
- The exact scoreline is not stated in the supplied excerpt.