The opening game of the Republic of Ireland's qualification campaign in Serbia drew the usual coterie of balanced views on Twitter.
There were finally goals, but unfortunately another loss for Stephen Kenny. Here's how it unfolded on Twitter.
With just a single goal score in his Ireland tenure prior to this game and an injury crisis that could stretch a saint's patience, there was an obvious focus on who was picked.
A few people had a stab at guessing the XI beforehand, with varying success.
Always do probable team for Ireland games but found tonight's one hard - esp. with doubts around sharpness of Connolly/McClean
Took stab at Travers; Coleman, O'Shea, Clark, Stevens; Cullen, Hendrick; Doherty, Browne, Robinson; Collins
Would be impressed if anyone gets the XI— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) March 24, 2021
Picking a team for tonight. Going with my heart over my head.
Breen
Breen Breen Breen Breen
Breen Breen Breen
Breen Breen Breen— Stephen with a v (@steveohrourke) March 24, 2021
Pre-match optimism was high, even the most cynical souls felt the pride of a youthful Irish team, possibly playing some nice 'ball, getting to the World Cup. Serbia seemed to be a little understrength. An opportunity?
Sergej Milinković-Savić not in starting XI and is worth 63 million European banknotes so that, you would have to say, is a setback https://t.co/hehX0o3Stg
— Eoin Sheahan (@EoinSheahan) March 24, 2021
We’ll score one for yiz today pic.twitter.com/99vd5A5TiW
— Gavan Casey (@GavanCasey) March 24, 2021
The header from Alan Browne was exactly what Ireland needed and more importantly what Irish Football Twitter needed.
Yes Brownie 🔥☘️
— John Egan (@JohnEgan92) March 24, 2021
BROWNEEEEEE🍀🍀🍀 Get in🇮🇪 #COYBIG
— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) March 24, 2021
🎵Sing Hallelujah🎶#SRBIRL #COYBIG 🇮🇪🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/tlh3UWLC2Z
— Eamo (@eamod78) March 24, 2021
Not everything is Ger's fault but, he is having a time of it in 2021.
Half an hour gone and we are top of the group. #justsayin #COYBIG
— Ger Gilroy (@gergilroy) March 24, 2021
Serbia equalised as soon as this tweet was distributed to the entire Serbia bench, clearly.
HALF-TIME! Serbia 1-1 Ireland.
Ireland’s first goal in over 11 hours. pic.twitter.com/HvC49pPf3r— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 24, 2021
A couple of penalty shouts for and against Ireland in the second half, do we want VAR or not? Make up your mind Team OTBAM.
feel like pure shit just want VAR back
— Eoin Sheahan (@EoinSheahan) March 24, 2021
😬 VAR might have feckin given Vlahovic a penalty there too so maybe that’s even. #SRBIRL
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) March 24, 2021
Inevitable heartbreak... Mitrovic's moment of magic, a glorious finish, we're behind in Belgrade... ugh and again. Ireland now all hope Fulham get relegated.
SHUT UP SKY! Can you not see we are hurting here?
ALEXANDER MITROVIC!! THIS IS WORLD-CLASS!
Follow #SRB vs #IRL in the #FIFAWorldCupQualifiers here: https://t.co/5lXJ3SNmLK pic.twitter.com/528164u0JY— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 24, 2021
Then more hope. 3-2... the bloody hope, it really is killing us or at least forcing us to make dangerous decisions.
If they get a third I’ll throw myself out of my wheelchair with the excitement!
— Joanne O’ Riordan (@JoanneOR_Ox) March 24, 2021
And it is another loss, but there were goals. Undone by a bit of quality.
Ah shite anyway. It wasn't for a lack of effort but their quality came through in the end and they punished us
— Phil Egan (@philegansport) March 24, 2021
Onwards and upwards, roll on Saturday.
Disappointing. But I'd rather come away from that thinking Ireland played decent than the usual 5 min flurry at the end. Beaten by quality that we knew Serbia had going into it.
— Enda Coll (@enda_coll) March 24, 2021
Serbia have some quality. Tadic a tidy player. Some really nice play from us tonight! Looking forward to Saturday to turn it around🍀🇮🇪
— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) March 24, 2021
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