UEFA 2025 Under-21 European Championship qualifier: Republic of Ireland 1 (Roughan 75), Norway 1 (Schjelderup 90+3)
Republic of Ireland experienced a late disappointment when Andreas Schjelderup’s debatable goal during the final minute of stoppage time prevented them from securing a place in the European U21 Championship playoff.
Seán Roughan’s goal in the 75th minute had appeared to confirm a top-two finish for the Irish team who still have the chance to automatically qualify with a Tuesday victory against Italy. Regrettably, a blatant jersey tug on Anselmo Garcia MacNulty by Sindre Walle Egeli went unnoticed, and despite Tiernan Brooks saving the first attempt by Thelo Aasgaard, the Benfica winger managed to score before 5,754 supporters at Turner’s Cross.
Key absentees included suspended forward Sinclair Armstrong and injured skipper Joe Hodge. Also, Coach Jim Crawford surprised many by switching goalkeepers.
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Josh Keeley, a regular during this campaign, was replaced by Gateshead’s Brooks following his blunder against Latvia, marking Brooks’ competitive debut. Emmanuel Adegboyega, Norwich City’s defender loaned to Dundee United, was also given his first cap.
A dull, cautious game was observed with both sides maintaining five defence lines. Appreciative applause from the audience was elicited by firm challenges rather than scoring opportunities.
Ireland had their first chance to score when a long cross went Roughan’s way, but there was no forward to take advantage of it.
The crowd was rejuvenated after 33 minutes when the first shot came via Killian Phillips who, upon winning possession, swiftly passed to Johnny Kenny. The Shamrock Rovers forward proceeded to launch a low drive that forced Sander Tangvk into a stretching right-footed save.
Ireland defended strongly in the first half, not conceding a single shot. The closest attempt was a stoppage-time header from Tobias Guddal. Despite a perilous pass from Brooks and a blocked attempt by Adegboyega following a thrust from Norway, Ireland started to gain momentum. Taking advantage of opportunities on the left, Moran often moved to the flank, enabling an efficient combination with Roughan.
Moran, Roughan, and Kenny worked together to regain control of the ball, leading to some promising shots on goal following a through pass from Moran. However, Kenny missed the second shot after the ball spilled from Tangvk’s first block. A powerful but high shot followed soon after from Moran, initiated by a smartly executed move involving Roughan and Emakhu.
As the game proceeded to the last quarter without any goals, Schjelderup tried to break the deadlock, participating in several Norwegian drives, but was effectively tackled by Abankwah. Having missed another chance when he was unmarked and the ball went high and wide, all seemed to rest on Moran’s ambitious shot.
It took the best move of the day to breach the Norwegian defence. Kenny expertly met Healy’s skillful pass, followed with a purposeful pullback across the goal to Roughan who sent the ball into the back of the net. Ireland had a triple substitution ready, and local favourite Mark O’Mahony entered the fray with Baba Adeeko and Rocco Vata.
Brooks was unchallenged until the closing minutes, when he successfully thwarted shots from Mvuka and Aasgaard. However, an unfortunate last shot put paid to Ireland’s hopes.
The Irish team consisted of T Brooks; S Curtis, E Adegboyega, J Abankwah, A Garcia MacNulty, S Roughan; K Phillips (B Adeeko 77 mins), M Healy, A Moran; J Kenny (R Vata 77), A Emakhu (M O’Mahony 77).
In Norway, S Tangvk was on the field supported by O Braude, who was later replaced by S Egeli after 81 minutes. Other players include E Helland, T Guddal, R Østrøm switched out for S Npan in the 90th minute, and M Løvik. Midfielders K Arnstad and I Hansen-Aarøen who was substituted by T Aasgaard at the 81-minute mark complemented the team. The forwards were J Mvuka, L Nordås brought off the bench for E Melkersen after 81 minutes, and A Schjelderup who was exchanged for B Skaret in the 94th minute. The game was overseen by the referee J Alberola Rojas from Spain.