Ireland have taken a 1-0 lead against the Ukraine thanks to a wonder goal from centre back Nathan Collins.
The Burnley man intercepted a wayward pass near the halfway line before beating three Ukrainian defenders and finishing past the keeper with the outside of his foot.
Ukraine 0-1 Ireland - Nathan Collins puts the visitors in front with a sensational individual goal having delivered a 'masterclass' of defending in the first half hour #rtesoccer #UKRvIRL
💻 https://t.co/w5JRG3O0hS
📺 https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE
📻 https://t.co/QHSJNYlfx8 pic.twitter.com/y0ulAtOn6J— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 14, 2022
Prior to the goal Collins had produced what was described in commentary as a 'masterclass' in defending, but with his finish he showed that he might just have the best all-round game in the entire squad.
Overall it was a very encouraging first-half performance from Ireland who had also created golden opportunities for Troy Parrot and Jason Knight.
Troy Parrott can't find the target after a lovely back post cross from Jason Knight #ukrirl #rtesoccer
📱 https://t.co/w5JRG3O0hS
📺 https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE
📻 https://t.co/QHSJNYlfx8 pic.twitter.com/EiMGxzEMY8— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 14, 2022
Collins has now secured his place in the starting XI, following his recent excellent showings, and just two months ago Stephen Kenny predicted that the former Collins would indeed work his way into his first-choice team.
“Nathan is very mature for his age, lives and breathes the game and comes from a football family.
“He played a lot of games for Stoke for one so young and played in different positions. He played at right-back, had a spell on the right of a back three and also as a centre-back in a back four.
“Every time he has come in — he has had to play Manchester City twice — he is getting used to playing high-level games.
“But it’s been a frustrating year at Burnley because James Tarkowski and Ben Mee are such a seasoned pairing and are very effective. They have been established at the club for a number of years so he had to wait for his chance for one or the other to be out of the team.”
A win tonight would put Ireland level on points with Ukraine in their Nations League group, although the eastern Europeans have a game in hand.
In the group's other game, Scotland defeated defeated Armenia 4-1 earlier this evening.
SEE ALSO: Stephen Kenny Has Named His Ireland Team For Ukraine Clash
