Luxembourg 0 Republic of Ireland 3: Ireland player ratings

Patrick Madden hands out the marks after Kenny’s side end their campaign on a high

Chiedozie Ogbene celebrates after scoring Ireland’s third goal against Luxembourg. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Chiedozie Ogbene celebrates after scoring Ireland’s third goal against Luxembourg. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

1 Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth)

Another assured performance which included one world class save, as he turned Olivier Thill's deflected effort around the post. Will go into 2022 as Ireland's undoubted number one. Rating: 7

10 Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)

Doherty is becoming an increasingly important figure in Kenny's set-up, and is effectively a playmaker down the right where Ireland found most joy throughout the evening. Rating: 7

2 Seamus Coleman (Everton)

It was a quiet night for captain Coleman, who was rarely needed in attack as Ireland dominated the right flank but completed his defensive duties with quiet aplomb. Rating: 6

Shane Duffy broke the deadlock for Ireland against Luxembourg. Photograph: John Walton/PA
Shane Duffy broke the deadlock for Ireland against Luxembourg. Photograph: John Walton/PA

4 Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Duffy can consider himself lucky after he was judged to be fouled in the build-up to the disallowed Luxembourg goal, but he then broke the deadlock himself with a trademark backpost header. Rating: 7

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5 John Egan (Sheffield United)

Gerson Rodrigues looked set to give the Irish defence a difficult night but his influence quickly waned and Egan was largely comfortable along with the rest of the back three. Rating: 6

11 James McClean (Wigan Athletic)

Robinson's willingness to move inside afforded McClean plenty of space on the left flank. His final product was mixed but a brilliant ball to Knight at the backpost set up the third goal. Rating: 6

6 Josh Cullen (Anderlecht)

Ireland struggled for control early on but he was a busy presence at the base of midfield, moving the ball quickly and his set-piece delivery for Duffy's goal was excellent. Rating: 6

13 Jeff Hendrick (Newcasle United)

It took a while for Hendrick to find his feet but his influence grew in the second-half. His link-up play with Doherty is promising while his stunning ball to Knight made Ogbene's goal. Rating: 7

Callum Robinson was on target for Ireland again. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Callum Robinson was on target for Ireland again. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

20 Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United)

A breath of fresh air. He set the tone from the off with his pace in behind and while his end product wasn't always the best he deserved his goal, an ice-cool chip over Schon. Rating: 8

7 Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion)

Drifted in and out of the game at times but he is Ireland's best attacking outlet and was in the right place to add the icing on the cake at the death and keep up his impressive goalscoring record. Rating: 7

9 Adam Idah (Norwich City)

Showed good glimpses of hold-up play and was eager to run the channels but was ultimately a passenger for much of the game and Ireland improved after his departure after the hour mark. Rating: 5

Jason Knight’s introduction off the bench proved key for Ireland in Luxembourg. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Jason Knight’s introduction off the bench proved key for Ireland in Luxembourg. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Bench

Jason Knight's introduction just after the hour mark changed the game - he offered added intensity and industry and came away with two brilliant assists for the second and third goals. Rating: 8

Manager

Kenny's willingness to change things by introducing Knight as Ireland came under pressure ultimately won Ireland the game. It was pragmatic, proactive management and he deserves plenty of credit for his side's improvement this year. Rating: 8

Patrick Madden

Patrick Madden

Patrick Madden is a former sports journalist with The Irish Times