Oisin Gallagher scored the winner on his first start for Republic of Ireland U21 against Kazakhstan on Tuesday night.
Gallagher was named as a starter for the first time and made his mark on his U21 debut powering home an 89th minute header. His goal keeps Ireland’s qualification hopes alive and moves them within five points of second-placed Slovakia with three games to go. They travel to face the Slovaks away from home in a pivotal clash in late September.
Kamil Conteh started for Sierra Leone as they lost on penalties to Azerbaijan away from home on Monday afternoon.
Sierra Leone took the lead in the 28th minute thanks to a Daniel Kanu strike but they were pegged back in the 72nd minute, moments after Conteh left the pitch, before going on to lose on penalties.
Ryan Oné was introduced as a second-half substitute during Scotland U21’s defeat to Portugal.
Ivan Varfolomeev played 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory for Ukraine U21 away from home against Hungary to move within three points of second-placed Turkey in Group H.