After an unimpressive opening which culminated in a well-executed goal from Miroslav Stoch, Ireland turned the scoreline on its head in a three-minute spell thanks to two penalties, one dodgy and deserved.
Both involved Shane Long.
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Long converted the first penalty himself, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Perhaps reflecting the status of the tie, they decided to give McClean a go for the second one. He converted it, albeit only after the keeper had gotten a hand to it.
In the last couple of minutes, the Slovakians have equalised through a Paul McShane own goal. They enter at the break with the score at 2-2.
