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Republic of Ireland 1-2 Switzerland

The Republic of Ireland suffered a huge Euro 2004 setback and lost their proud home record as Switzerland pulled off victory in Dublin.

Mick McCarthy's men had not lost at Lansdowne Road for 18 competitive matches but substitute Fabio Celestini's 86th winner ended that impressive sequence.

The result is a massive blow to the Republic's chances of getting to the finals in Portugal.

Key moments

45 mins: Yakin lobs Given to give the Swiss the lead
78 mins: Magnin concedes an own goal under pressure from Breen
87 mins: Celestini fires home to hand the visitors the win

The Irish had lost their opening Group 10 fixture 4-2 away to Russia.

And this fresh setback is bound to put some pressure on manager McCarthy who must have been hoping for a much happier World Cup homecoming than this.

Some sections of the Irish media have critical of McCarthy following the pre-World Cup row which led to skipper Roy Keane leaving the Irish set-up.

The Swiss grew in confidence and McCarthy's men found themselves a goal down in the final minute of the first half.

Switzerland Hakin Yakin challenges Ireland's Colin Healy
Colin Healy competes with Hakan Yakin

Kenny Cunningham conceded a free-kick midway inside his own half and Murat Yakin chipped the ball into the box where his brother Hakan lobbed the ball over Given and into the net.

Ireland piled forward in the second half and eventually got their reward on 77 minutes when defender Ludovic Magnin put the ball into his own net.

That looked like saving McCarthy's unbeaten record in competitive home games.

But Celestini's well-taken goal gave Switzerland victory and led to boos from the home fans on the final whistle.

Rep of Ireland: Given, Kelly, Cunningham, Breen, Harte (Doherty 87), Healy, Holland, Kinsella, Kilbane (Morrison 62), Duff (Butler 82), Keane.

Switzerland: Stiel, Haas, Magnin, Muller, Hakan Yakin (Celestini 84), Vogel, Cabanas, Wicky (Cantaluppi 84), Frei, Murat Yakin, Chapuisat.

Referee: Rune Pedersen (Norway).


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