The Republic of Ireland made it 10 points from a possible 12 in Group D at a sun-splashed Aviva Stadium.
Here’s how we rated the Boys in Green.
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Darren Randolph 7
Redundant for most of proceedings. He made an outstanding stop in the away fixture to spare Ireland’s blushes but Randolph rarely warmed his gloves tonight. The handiest clean sheet he’ll earn in his international career.
Seamus Coleman 8
It’s unlikely this will be the last time we see him form a right-sided partnership with Callum Robinson; the pair showed more than enough to suggest a fruitful double act could flourish. Pulled it back for McGoldrick to break the deadlock and then teed up Robinson’s clever backheel that trickled past the post. An ever-willing out-ball going forward, unruffled at the back and composed in possession.
Shane Duffy 7
Threatened in the first minute after a couple of corners gave him an early chance to unsettle the visiting defence – which he did, nodding over with keeper Kyle Goldwin all at sea. Then he ballooned one into the stands from 35 yards. Had little to do thereafter though he got a little frustrated a couple of times after some sloppy distribution.
Richard Keogh 7
A pretty handy night at the office for the big centre-half who went on one 56th-minute charge that got the crowd going then found himself sprinting back towards his goal as Gibraltar broke in numbers on the counter. That was as eventful as it got for Keogh before it looked like he was fouled by Ethan Jolley in the box late on for what should have been a penalty.
Enda Stevens 7
While Coleman and Robinson gelled instantly on the right, Stevens and James McClean found the going tougher on the other flank. They didn’t quite seem to be on the same wavelength, with one misplaced Stevens pass to the Stoke winger just before the hour mark summing up an occasional lack of understanding.
Conor Hourihane 8.5
A tidy, efficient performance from the Aston Villa man. His passing was crisp, he read things well and was generally sharp as a tack. Peeled out left a few times of deliver some decent crosses, which he's more than capable of. Looked confident.
Jeff Hendrick 7
He continues to look low on confidence in a green shirt. After a slow first 20 minutes, Hendrick grew in stature when his cute pass freed Hogan (the flag went up). He at least tried to crack the stubborn visiting defence with a few intricate passes but this was a night where things mostly failed to come off for the Dubliner.
Callum Robinson 9
Ireland’s shining light. Stationed on the right wing but often drifting in centrally, Robinson was easily his side’s biggest attacking threat. So unlucky with a 33rd-minute flick and then almost bent in a beauty from outside the box just before the break, he continued to combine with Coleman on the turnaround. The Everton defender looked like he relished playing behind the Preston man.
James McClean 7
Found himself double marked on the left and often boxed in as Gibraltar starved the Derryman of the space he loves to gallop into. With Ireland having so much joy down the right, he was a bit isolated in the second half, though he did dig out one peach of a cross that shaved the crossbar and then put it on a plate for Robbie Brady at the death.
David McGoldrick 8.5
Had a big dollop of luck for the opening goal which cannoned off Joe Chipolina en route to the net but he’d offered a bit of composure at least in a first half in which Ireland toiled. Kept dropping into midfield to try and disrupt the visitors’ rearguard and picked out Hogan’s runs with a couple of lovely disguised passes. Very unfortunate to see a 71st-minute snap-shot crack off the post.
Scott Hogan 7
Full of beans in the first 15 minutes, working the channels and showing a deft touch to complement his good movement. Was just offside after Hendrick slid a cute ball into him on 20 minutes and he flashed a header wide soon after that. Guilty of poor decision making a couple of times but the intelligence of his runs caught the eye.
Substitutes
Sean Maguire 7 (for Hogan 66)
Came on and got clattered by Duffy when they were both looking to get on the end of a corner. It didn't take the wind out of his sails all the same. Stretched Gibraltar with his energy and running.
Robbie Brady 7.5 (for Robinson 73)
Showed good anticipation and purpose to take his goal in injury-time, a good header that finished off a nice move.
