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Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Republic of Ireland vs Latvia. International Match.

Aviva StadiumAttendance41,211.

Republic of Ireland 3

  • C O'Dowda (6th minute)
  • E Ferguson (17th minute)
  • C Ogbene (64th minute)

Latvia 2

  • R Uldrikis (33rd minute)
  • S Salihovic (46th minute)

Republic of Ireland 3-2 Latvia: Evan Ferguson strikes on first international start as hosts edge to home win

Match report as Callum O'Dowda gives Republic of Ireland XI with average age of 23.6 the lead before Evan Ferguson doubles advantage but long-range strikes from Roberts Uldrikis and Arturs Zjuzins level matters for Latvia; substitute Chiedozie Ogbene's 64th-minute goal wins it for hosts

Republic of Ireland's Evan Ferguson celebrates scoring his sides second goal against Latvia
Image: Evan Ferguson celebrates scoring the Republic of Ireland's second goal

Evan Ferguson marked his first senior international start with his first goal as the Republic of Ireland warmed up for their Euro 2024 qualifier against France with a 3-2 friendly victory over Latvia.

The 18 year-old frontman, who has scored six goals in his last 13 games for Brighton, needed just 17 minutes to open his account on an incident-packed night in Dublin.

It is the misfortune of every promising Ireland striker to be compared to the prodigious talent of the 17-year-old Robbie Keane, who went on to score 68 goals for his country in 146 appearances.

However, Ferguson did his chances of being involved in Monday night's clash with the World Cup runners-up little harm with an instinctive finish and an enterprising all-round display in the 73 minutes he was given.

Callum O'Dowda had already put a Republic XI with an average age of just 23.6 ahead before the teenager found the back of the net, but they were pegged back by vicious long-range strikes from Roberts Uldrikis and Arturs Zjuzins and it took substitute Chiedozie Ogbene's 64th-minute goal to win it.

How Republic of Ireland overcame Latvia

Republic of Ireland's Chiedozie Ogbene celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Latvia
Image: Chiedozie Ogbene restored the hosts' lead

Victory over the side ranked 133rd by FIFA will count for little against France, who sit third in the standings, but it perhaps provided a glimpse of what the future may hold with midfielder Will Smallbone, on loan from Southampton at Stoke, also impressing on his senior debut.

Both men played a role in the sixth-minute opener, Ferguson feeding the ball out to skipper Matt Doherty on the right to pull it back for Smallbone, who crossed instantly to the far post for O'Dowda to send a diving header past helpless 'keeper Pavels Steinbors.

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Ireland continued to dominate possession, with Smallbone and Doherty linking well, and Ferguson got in on the act with 14 minutes gone, cutting inside menacingly before shooting high and wide, although his moment would come soon enough.

It was goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher who started the 17th-minute move from which the teenager opened his international account with Nathan Collins, Jayson Molumby and Smallbone teaming up to hand Doherty the chance to cross.

Republic of Ireland's Callum O'Dowda celebrates scoring the opening goal against Latvia with Evan Ferguson
Image: Callum O'Dowda scored the opener for Ireland

His ball was recycled beyond the far post by Michael Obafemi and Ferguson gleefully stabbed it past Steinbors with the help of a deflection off defender Antonijs Cernomordijs.

But Kelleher could do nothing to prevent Uldrikis from dragging his side back into it 12 minutes before the break with a 30-yard piledriver from nowhere which flew inside his left post.

The Republic's fortunes took a further turn for the worse in first-half stoppage time when, after Collins, Andrew Omobamidele, Dara O'Shea and O'Dowda had all failed to clear a free-kick, Zjuzins blasted past Kelleher with a nick off Collins to level.

Republic of Ireland's Callum O'Dowda (left) celebrates scoring the opening goal against Latvia
Image: O'Dowda (left) celebrates scoring the opening goal

Latvia visibly grew in confidence as the second half unfolded with Ireland rather having lost their way, prompting manager Stephen Kenny to respond with a raft of substitutions, and two of the newcomers made an instant impact.

Celtic winger Mikey Johnston, making his first appearance for the Republic after switching allegiance from Scotland, broke free down the left and fired against the foot of the post, and Ogbene pounced on the rebound to restore the lead.

Johnston, currently on loan at Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal, was denied a goal of his own six minutes from time when he carved his way through the Latvia defence, but saw his shot repelled by defender Marcis Oss' brave block.

Kenny: Ferguson taking everything in his stride

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny is refusing to take anything for granted after seeing 18-year-old striker Evan Ferguson launch his senior international career in earnest.

Asked if he had seen a glimpse of the future, Kenny said: "It's never straightforward with players. Injuries can take their toll with young players. The demands are high in the leagues they are in and sometimes that happens.

"What we have now is a high number of players who have come through, unprecedented in our history the number in a short proximity. That has given us depth in our squad.

"Evan, it's his first start and he got a goal. You can't predict things in the future. He is still learning the game and he took everything in his stride.

"Will, having watched a lot of Stoke recently, I'm just so impressed with how he has kicked on. He has added other aspects to his game so he has given us something to think about.

"Mikey, that was a snapshot of what Mikey can be."

What's next?

Republic of Ireland host France in European Championship Qualifying Group B on Monday at the Aviva Stadium; kick off 7.45pm.

Latvia visit Wales on Tuesday in European Championship Qualifying Group D in Cardiff; kick off 7.45pm.

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