Slick Ireland U21 performance overcomes Sweden in European qualifier

A depleted Irish Under 21 side came back after conceding an early goal to defeat Sweden 4-1 at home in their Euro 2021 qualifier.

Ireland were without seven of their main players and lost a further two through injury during a first half that also saw them go one goal down after an early strike from Viktor Gyökeres.

However Ireland came out of the dressing room a different team at half time and levelled after just five minutes from Celtic defender Lee O’Connor. It’s been a good few days for O’Connor who made his full international debut for Ireland in last week’s friendly against New Zealand despite not yet playing a match at professional club level after joining Celtic in September from youth football.

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

Idah put the Irish ahead just after the hour mark and you could see Sweden, the second seeds in the group, starting to panic as the game became wide open with gaps all over the pitch.

That resulted in space at the back as Troy Parrott raced in front the left wing to find himself one on one with the Swedish keeper. The outcome was inevitable and Ireland went 3-1 up.

Zack Elbouzedi put the shine on it right at the end with great inter play between him and Connor Ronan with the Waterford FC winger tapping it in on the far post to make it 4-1.

The victory leaves Ireland top of their qualification group, three points ahead of Italy having played two more games. Next up for Ireland is another home match in March next year against Iceland, who currently lie third in the table.