The ratings after Ireland again failed to register a competitive win under Stephen Kenny, needing a late equaliser to prevent a home defeat against Azerbaijan.
Gavin Bazunu 6
Heart-stopping moment at the end when he dropped a simple cross and almost handed the win back to Azerbaijan.
No Hollywood saves to speak of in the first half. Would be hard to claim the Azerbaijani goal had anything to do with substandard goalkeeping. A phenomenal strike, albeit one that the Irish players gave Emin Mahmudov ample time to unfurl.
Regrettably, was forced to make another important save late in the game to prevent the visitors from taking a two-goal lead.
Seamus Coleman 6
Coleman must be counted among those at fault for the Azerbaijan goal. Both he and Cullen waited and waited for Mahmudov to ping his shot away rather than close down the shot.
Made strenuous efforts to drive the team forward in the second half and his frustration at the state of the scoreboard in the second half was palpable.
One is inclined to wonder whether he should have retained the wing-back berth in which he excelled on Wednesday?
John Egan 6
A couple of wobbles in the first half. Got badly turned by Emreli in the early stages and needed Molumby to rush across to cut out the danger.
Struggled to do any damage at the opposite end of the pitch. Not one of his more assured performances.
Shane Duffy 6
Happily, his form has improved from the awful nadir of 2020-21 season in Glasgow - but passing remains a blatant weakness in his game. Tossed in a few jarringly ragged passes in both halves.
As ever, for all the talk of an evolving style, his powerful forehead remains the most potent weapon in Ireland's attacking arsenal.
He was furious with himself for missing a great headed opportunity in the second half but made amends late on.
Matt Doherty 6
A so-so first half display - one dreadful piece of poor control late in the opening 45 allowed the visiting side the platform to launch an attack.
Gave off a curiously listless vibe in the second half, as he appeared to be struggling with the pace of the game. Despite this, was one of the slicker and more creative Irish players in possession, occasionally opening up space with some nice feints and cuts inside. Needless to say, the team were invariably to properly exploit these half-openings.
James McClean 5
A standard performance from McClean. Tried his utmost but needs vast swathes of open country to make anything happen and lacks the flair and creativity to operate in tight spaces. Often resembles a tractor trying to rev its engines to escape a muddy field.
Once again, intent on leaving the first man with a prize collection of bruises on his thigh.
Josh Cullen 7
Gets marked down for his failure to press in on Mahmudov, allowing him to space to bend a vicious shot into the far corner.
Otherwise, one of the brighter and more impressive performers for Ireland. Helped rescue Ireland in the finish, curling in a cross for Duffy to power home the equaliser.
Jayson Molumby 6
A willing and energetic runner. Almost scored on the half-hour, curling a low shot wide of the far post. Succeeded in breaking up a couple of Azeri attacks in the first half, notably when Emreli turned Egan in a dangerous position and the Waterford midfielder scampered back to snuff out the danger.
However, there were evident flaws in his game, most especially passing (one fairly straightforward crossfield pass to McClean was mis-cued horribly). Dived in a number of occasions when shepherding his man might have been more prudent.
Was flirting with a red card when replaced early in the second half, having needlessly picked up a yellow when charging to contest an aerial ball with the visiting keeper.
Aaron Connolly 5
Gives off a jumpy air of a striker trying too hard. Things didn't quite happen for him again. Did dink in a clever cross for Idah at the near post half an hour in. Clearly, there's potential there but he's evidently testing the patience of some fans with his inability to full seize chances or, in some cases, see killer passes.
Was withdrawn at half-time for fellow Galwayman Horgan, though Parrott could count himself lucky it wasn't him.
Troy Parrott 5
Failed to impose himself on the game. Appeared unsure of his movement and offered relatively little in terms of link-up play. Dropped very deep at one stage in the first half, losing the ball in a congested area only to bailed out by Coleman who snuffed out an alarming situation on the edge of the box.
Did force a save with a shot from the edge of the box shortly before being hooked on the hour mark. Disappointing afternoon. Hopefully, he continues to develop with MK Dons.
Adam Idah 7
Was awarded Man of the Match in the absence of any other properly compelling contenders. Dutifully performed the time-honoured role of running the channels with admirable selflessness. Helped up the ball gamely, nudging it off to the full-backs.
Possibly didn't put himself on the end of enough chances though did have a couple of headed efforts, in the first half from Connolly, in the second when Horgan curled in a beauty which was begging to be nodded home.
Substitutions:
Daryl Horgan 7
For a time, Ireland's cleverest and most incisive attacking player, displaying a lovely ability to switch the play and a good range of intelligent passing. Dinked in a lovely cross for Molumby that the midfielder failed to execute early in the second half. Possibly, made another rod for the back of his manager by (initially) playing so well. People were inclined to wonder why he hadn't started.
Alas, the precision of his passing began to fray as the game wore on. He spurned a promising situation with 10 minutes left, pushing a poor pass out of Seamus Coleman's reach, much to the captain's annoyance.
A mixed bag, all told. Excellent in the third quarter, sloppy in the final quarter.
Callum Robinson 7
Brightened things up with his footwork and trickery wide on the right. Of the Irish attackers available to Stephen Kenny, he looks like the most reliable source of goals - or at least the most reliable source of gilt-edged chances.
Got a sniff of a couple of chances late in the game but couldn't manage to horse them home amid the scramble defence.
Conor Hourihane 5
Didn't contribute a whole pile to Ireland's attacking push. Dismally gave away possession in a promising position, setting in chain Azerbaijan's most menacing attack of the second half. Was introduced to offer some creativity and incisiveness in midfield and didn't do so.
James Collins 6
Worked hard on his introduction and attempted to inject a bit of aggression into Ireland in the attacking third.
Alan Browne 5
Probably not on long enough to be rated and should be offered some leeway having spent a days in self-isolation. Lost the ball in midfield in the final half-minute, meaning the closing seconds would see Azerbaijan - and not Ireland - pushing for the winner.
