Republic of Ireland 1 Denmark 5 as it happened: Christian Eriksen knocks Ireland out of World Cup

Relive the action from the Aviva Stadium

Denmark thrashed the Republic on their own patch (Getty)

Denmark's Christian Eriksen got a hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing of Ireland in their playoff second leg on Tuesday to help secure the final European berth at next year's World Cup.

The Danes, who were frustrated by the well organised Irish in a scrappy goalless first leg in Copenhagen, fell behind to a Shane Duffy header after seven minutes but soon struck back.

The visitors scored twice in three minutes when Andreas Christensen's stabbed effort on the half-hour hit the post and went in off Ireland's Cyrus Christie and that was quickly followed by a superb strike from Eriksen.

Ireland tried to regroup but were easily picked off on the counter attack as Eriksen curled in his second, this time with his left foot, after 64 minutes, and completed his treble 10 minutes later before Nicklas Bendtner added a late penalty.

Relive the match below.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

[14 November 2017 18:39 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Republic of Ireland vs Denmark.

 

Join us from 7.00pm for build-up and minute-by-minute coverage.

[14 November 2017 19:03 · Mark Critchley]

Teams

Republic of Ireland: Randolph, Christie, Duffy, Clark, Ward, Hendrick, Arter, Meyler, Brady, McClean, Murphy.

Substitutes: Westwood, O’Shea, McShane, Whelan, McGeady, Shane Long, O’Dowda, Hoolahan, Hourihane, Hogan, Kevin Long, Doyle. 

Denmark: Schmeichel, Kjaer, Christensen, Bjelland, Poulsen, Delaney, Kvist, Larsen, Nicolai Jorgensen, Eriksen, Sisto.

Substitutes: Lossl, Jensen, Vestergaard, Ankersen, Bendtner, Mathias Zanka Jorgensen, Knudsen, Braithwaite, Lerager, Schone, Cornelius, Ronnow. 

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)

[14 November 2017 19:23 · Mark Critchley]

A few technical glitches in the system but we seem to be up and running again, so without further ado...

One change for Martin O'Neill's side tonight with Callum O'Dowda replaced by David Meyler, who captains Ireland on his return from suspension.

One change for the Danes too. Yussuf Poulsen replaces Andreas Cornelius.

[14 November 2017 19:24 · Mark Critchley]

[14 November 2017 19:29 · Mark Critchley]

Ireland need a goal tonight and Lord knows, they've been hard to come by throughout the qualifying process.

Just 12 came in the group phase, less than any other second-placed side, and obviously none to boast of in Copenhagen on Saturday.

Then again, it was arguably more important to keep a clean sheet in the first leg and if Ireland can do the same tonight, one goal will be enough. 

[14 November 2017 19:30 · Mark Critchley]

[14 November 2017 19:33 · Mark Critchley]

Feel free to e-mail in, of course. Judging by the first leg, we might be in need of something to fill the forthcoming 90, or indeed 120, minutes.

It's mark.critchley@independent.co.uk. Hit me up.

[14 November 2017 19:36 · Mark Critchley]

What time is kick-off?

The match will start at 7.45pm GMT.

[14 November 2017 19:41 · Mark Critchley]

Martin O'Neill's been speaking to Sky Sports, on whether his side are prepared. Unsurprisingly, he says yes.

"I think they’re right, of course," says O'Neill. "You always think they’re right but only time will tell.

"The crowd will play a big part tonight, so we need to make good use of that."

[14 November 2017 19:42 · Mark Critchley]

The teams are out, the Danish anthem's blasting, there's a flag in the away section that simply reads: 'LORD'.

We'll assume that's for you know who.