W/Cup Qualifier: Duffy scores late as Ireland grab draw with Azerbaijan
Ireland needed a late goal from defender Shane Duffy to snatch a 1-1 draw at home to Azerbaijan in their World Cup Group A qualifier on Saturday which did little to help either side.
The Irish, who played superbly but lost 2-1 to Portugal in midweek after two last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo goals, were dismal in the first half and went in a goal down after Emin Makhmudov fired a long-range bullet past Gavin Bazuna in stoppage time.
That sparked the hosts into action and they came out all guns blazing in the second half, firing a succession of crosses into the box and finally getting their reward when Duffy scored in the 87th minute.
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After opening with three straight defeats, the result leaves Ireland fourth in the five-team group on one point, ahead of Azerbaijan on goals scored. Serbia are top on 10 points ahead of Portugal on goal difference. Luxembourg are third on six.