When Evan Ferguson burst onto the Premier League scene with Brighton, Irish hopes immediately sky-rocketed that a successor to Robbie Keane as a true goal poacher had been unearthed.
However, through a combination of injuries and failing to get a regular run of first-team games, the Meathman has endured a difficult 12 months.
A loan move to Roma, where he has featured regularly leading the line for the Serie A club this season, has rejuvenated the frontman, and with it, Irish hopes once again.
The scrappy 1-0 win over Armenia, keeping Irish World Cup hopes on life support at least, was decided by his headed finish to meet a Will Smallbone cross midway through the second half. It came immediately after spurning a superb chance to open the scoring after being played through by Finn Azaz.
It marked the fourth consecutive home game that Ferguson has found the net to bring his tally to eight in 26 games in a green jersey. A 31% scoring ratio measures favourably to the other out-and-out strikers at Heimir Hallgrimsson's disposal - Adam Idah (17%) and Troy Parrott (17%) - as comparisons with Keane continue to grow.
Ireland 1-0 Armenia: The breakthrough against the 10 men of Armenia comes through the head of Evan Ferguson, who nods home from Will Smallbone's cross.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 14, 2025
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Yet the 20-year-old often has to plough a lone furrow in attack in a side that has endured some sobering displays since he made his bow against Norway in November 2022.
This campaign alone has seen Ferguson live off scraps in away defeats in Yerevan and Lisbon, while the opening 45 minutes at home to Armenia was equally frustrating as a passive Irish display failed to yield a single shot on target.
Ferguson admits it can be a test of patience in the current Irish set-up.
"The way we play, as you can see, it’s a bit more defensive, so for us attackers, it’s rare to get our chances, but when we do, we have to take them," he told RTÉ Sport’s Tony O’Donoghue.
"Luckily we got the clean sheet and the goal.
"The lads say, 'listen Evan, I know it’s not what you want to do, but it will come. If you keep working hard, you’ll get your chance’."
Evan Ferguson's fourth consecutive goal for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium was enough for a 1-0 win over Armenia and he still holds out belief that the Boys in Green can get a result against Portugal next month. pic.twitter.com/271Uit9762
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 14, 2025
A composed finish from a pinpoint Smallbone delivery secured the three points, with games against Portugal (home) and Hungary (away) to conclude the group.
Hungary’s late equaliser in Lisbon means it is likely the Boys in Green will need a positive result against a Portugal side looking to confirm their place as group winners to ensure a showdown in Budapest on 16 November.
Asked about Irish chances against Portugal, he said: "It will be difficult, but we showed in the last game that we brought hope back to the fans and hopefully we can get a result."
