Moldova 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Mason Melia was on the double to ensure that the Republic of Ireland's Euro Under-21 qualifying campaign began with a win as they were pushed hard in a 2-1 victory over Moldova in Nisperoni.
The hosts, who kicked off their own qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Andorra back in June, took the lead in the first half, but the St Pat’s man fired home from close range either side of the break to ensure the perfect start in the side's quest to reach the tournament in Albania and Serbia.
For manager Jim Crawford, this was a performance littered with many faults with the defence in particular looking hesitant at different stages of the game, but they kept at it with Melia ultimately settling the contest in the 74th minute.
The 'little tricolours’ made a bright start on a warm night in Nisperoni and it was clear that Serghei Cebotari's side were able to keep the ball on the deck and pass it about.
They were also adept at varying the play too, as a long ball over the top in the first minute demonstrated with Irish keeper Noah Jauny having to be alert to drill clear at the second attempt.
Ireland are level!
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 4, 2025
Mason Melia with the goal, but a lot of the credit has to go to Jad Hakiki.
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Much of Ireland’s early play revolved around trying to set Sligo Rovers’ Jad Hakiki away down the right and although Moldova were able to repel him in the first quarter, his influence would grow and grow.
Ireland’s first sight of goal came 14 minutes in and they’d have another seconds later as a pair of Jamie Mullins corners – an in-swinger and an out-swinger – were met by the head of defender Sean Grehan, but the Doncaster Rovers’ man saw his first hooked clear while he badly misjudged the second when he really should have tested Roman Dumenco.
Dumenco would have a part to play as Moldova took the lead 23 minutes in. His quick free-kick released Cristian Pascaluta in midfield and he played a ball over the top to Mihai Lupan. Jauny hesitated, giving the striker – who also opened the scoring against Andorra – the space to fire into the top corner.
Moldova nearly doubled their advantage soon after via another long ball over the top, but Nicolae Rotaru fired wide under pressure from the recovering Adam Murphy.
That was the jolt Ireland needed and from there until the break, they played their best football and were rewarded when Melia drew them level 37 minutes in.
It was a simple finish for Melia – who became Ireland’s youngest-ever scorer at this age group against Hungary back in March – after brilliant work for Hakiki who nipped in to steal possession before haring down the right and delivering a low inviting pass for Melia to bundle home.
Ireland nearly went ahead just before the break, but Mark O’Mahony headed wide following a teasing cross from Rocco Vata.
While Moldovan started the sharper in the first half, Ireland owned possession at the start of the second as the temperatures dipped – Vata coming closest after robbing possession, but he was unable to hit the target.
Moldova remained dangerous though, and they should have retaken the lead 53 minutes in.
Lively play-maker Stefan Bitca played a number of one-twos with teammates around the edge of the area to unlock the Irish defence, with the final pass playing in Dan-Angelo Boțan who lashed over with the goal at his mercy.
Three minutes later, Grehan tried to clear a delivery into the Irish area and sliced wildly, the ball looping up and hitting the crossbar with Jauny rooted to the spot.
Melia looked certain to add a second in the 58th minute as he rose to nod home Hakiki’s inviting cross, but Moldova captain Artiom Djinari flicked the ball away and won a free-kick for his country in the process, much to the delight of the home fans.
Mason Melia does have his second!
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 4, 2025
Brilliant work by Harry Vaughan and it's another close-range finish from the St Pat’s man.
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Ireland weren’t exactly kicking the door down, but there were positive signs there – none more so than when Vata picked up the ball just inside the Moldova half and went on a brilliant mazy run that took him into the box only for the Watford man to fire over.
The winner did finally arrive in the 74th minute though and it was almost a carbon copy of the first.
This time it was substitute Harry Vaughan doing the stealing and haring down the right, Mihail Gherasimencov coughing up cheap possession, and his low cross was again bundled home by Melia from close range.
Moldova failed to create anything from there – an optimistic penalty shout at the death aside – with Ireland comfortably seeing out the final 15 minutes.
It was a night for Crawford to enjoy the result more than the performance, but three points have been tucked away before Tuesday’s first home game of qualifying.
Moldova: Roman Dumenco, Danila Forov, Mihail Gherasimencov, Artiom Djinari , Vladislav Costin, Stefan Bitca (Veaceslav Cozma, 72), Cristian Pascaluța, Nicolae Rotaru (Eduard Creciun, 85), Mihai Lupan (Vlad Lupascu, 85), Petar Gospodinov (Matteo Obleac, HT), Dan-Angelo Boțan (Vasile Luchita, 72).
Republic of Ireland: Noel Jauny, Jacob Slater, James Abankwah, Sean Grehan, Jad Hakiki, Rocco Vata (Michael Noonan, 83), Adam Murphy (Darius Lipsiuc, 83), Mark O'Mahony (Harry Vaughan, 66), Jamie Mullins, Mason Melia, Jacob Devaney.
Referee: Klym Zabroda (Ukriane).
Watch Republic of Ireland v Hungary in World Cup qualifying on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
