Ireland close in with Liechtenstein win

First-half goals from Robert Brady and Aidan White earned a dominant Republic of Ireland side victory against Liechtenstein in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 7.

Though Noel King's charges opened the scoring after 13 minutes, they would have been ahead inside 60 seconds were it not for Dario Caluori, who thwarted Adam Barton in a one-on-one situation following a mistake in the visitors' defence.

He was beaten soon after, though, when Brady converted a penalty, awarded for Olcay Gür's foul on Barton. Goalscorer then turned provider eight minutes before half-time as Brady dribbled through the Liechtenstein rearguard and teed up White.

Ireland remain in third place but are now just three points behind leaders Italy and second-placed Turkey, the latter of whom they have two games in hand over.