The Republic of Ireland survived a major scare as they recovered from squandering a two-goal lead to beat nine-man Armenia in a chaotic Nations League game in Dublin.

John Egan and Michael Obafemi had put the Republic two up before Armenia fought back from nowhere through Artak Dashyan and Eduard Spertsyan.

However, when the referee adjudged Dashyan to have handled Dara O’Shea’s goal-bound shot after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, Brady was given the chance to win the game on his first international start in 18 months.

Dashyan and Hovhannes Hambartsumyan were both dismissed as Armenia reacted furiously to the penalty being awarded.

The Republic of Ireland would have been relegated to League C had they lost, but Armenia drop down instead while Stephen Kenny’s side will remain in Pot Three in next month’s Euro 2024 qualifying draw.

With the momentum gained from a thrilling win over Scotland and creditable draw against Ukraine in June having been halted by Saturday’s defeat by the Scots, the Republic needed to avoid a shock loss to Armenia.

And while Armenia stunned the Republic with a 1-0 win in Yerevan in June, they failed to lay a glove on the hosts for much of Tuesday’s contest, allowing their hosts to build early momentum with Obafemi and Egan both missing headed chances in the opening quarter of an hour.

However, just three minutes later, Egan – once again captaining the Republic in Seamus Coleman’s absence – powered the home side into the lead, heading Brady’s corner past Armenia goalkeeper David Yurchenko.

And when Obafemi added a brilliant second, spinning away from his marker before sending a low shot into the corner, it seemed as though the Republic were heading for a straightforward win.

Armenia had other ideas, however. Having failed to register an attempt in the first 70 minutes, the visitors somehow managed to drag themselves back into the game as the Republic were punished for falling asleep at the back.

After Gavin Bazunu turned Styopa Mkrtchyan’s shot onto the post, Dashyan was afforded time to fire home from outside the box and pull one back.

The stadium was left stunned less than two minutes later when Spertsyan – who scored the winner when the sides met in June – beat Bazunu from distance.

Armenia’s quickfire double created uncertainty in the Irish ranks and Kenny’s side were fortunate not to go behind when Khoren Bayramyan’s effort from the edge of the box flew narrowly wide.

Then came the penalty drama. While referee Rade Obrenovic initially waved away Irish appeals, the VAR subsequently advised him to review the incident on the monitor.

When he pointed to the spot, Hambartsumyan’s furious remonstrations earned the full-back two yellow cards in quick succession, while Dashyan was also dismissed after he received a second caution for arguing with the referee’s decision having earlier been booked.

As Armenia lost their heads, Brady kept his, coolly slotting his penalty into the corner to ensure a topsy-turvy night for the Republic ended on a high.

Sourced From BBC