Scotland was given most of the ball in the second half the Republic just tried to see out the game. Kenny Miller could have had a penalty when he was brought down by Stephen Hunt, but the referee thought nothing of it.

Both sides started the game brightly, with neither shying away from showcasing an early attacking display. The hosts could have found the net if it weren’t for Scotland’s organized defense stopping Simon Cox’s run inside the box from being fruitful.

The visitors followed the chance up with one of their own, as Charlie Adam let loose with a powerful effort with his left foot that just went over Shay Given’s bar.

A majestic save from the Republic’s ‘keeper kept out an audacious attempt from Scotland’s Bardsley a quarter of an hour into the game. The long-range effort swerved and twisted through the air, but Given managed to get to full stretch to finger-tip it onto the bar.

The home side opened the scoring just after 20 minutes, with Keane getting his 49^th goal for the Republic and leveling Bobby Charlton’s record for England in the process. A breakthrough down the middle by Paul McShane started the move, the defender slipping the ball to the striker for the striker to power forward to the edge of the box and smash the ball home, going under McGregor’s casual dive on the way through.

Steven Naismith had a confident try at goal as the first half reached its concluding moments, Barry Robson pulling the ball back to the edge of the area for the striker to hit, but Given was allowed enough time to get down and make the save.

Scotland had a chance to equalize after Robson got the by-line on the right side of the Republic’s goal and placed a cross to the back post for Forrest, but the 19-year-old had to watch his slightly mishit touch go agonizingly wide of the net from six yards.

A big penalty shout for the visitors came after Kenny Miller was certain that Hunt had brought him down deep inside the Republic’s area and replays deemed the Scotsman’s argument fully justifiable, with the referee letting the Wolves midfielder off and leaving the Bursaspor striker livid.

The Republic dropped off towards the end of the game, allowing Scotland to take the reins and create the chances needed to win the game and the competition. Miller spurned the final full opportunity of the match after hitting a free shot wide of the post in the last moments.

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