A historic hat trick from Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane inside the opening 20 minutes took any drama there might have been out of this match straight away. The Dubliner scored his 19th, 20th and 21st goals in European Championship Qualifying, breaking the previous record of 19. It was a very, very good performance from the Republic, and should fill them with confidence heading into their matchup with Germany in Gelsenkirchen next week.
The Republic got off to a flowing start, creating two chances and the opening goal in the first six minutes. Aidan McGeady created the first chance of the match with a fantastic run down the left wing before clipping a ball back to Stephen Ward at the back post, but the pass was just too high for the Burnley man. The goal came just moments later, with captain Robbie Keane rounding off a fantastic move. Wesley Hoolahan made a penetrating run straight through the midfield before slipping in a pass to Aidan McGeady. The hero last month in Georgia was in one, the goalkeeper, but squared the ball back to his captain, who calmly slotted the ball home. The goal was Keane's 19th in a European Championship Qualifying match, equalling the all-time record.
Just four minutes later, the Republic nearly had a second. A deflected cross found its way to the feet of James McClean on the edge of the six yard box who rifled a shot straight into the midsection of Gibraltar keeper Jordan Perez. In the 14th minute, Keane would make history. Hoolahan again played the creator, lofting a little ball over the Gibraltar defence to send Keane away. There was no stopping the Dubliner on his way to history, and he made it 2-0 while setting the record.
The Republic had a penalty just three minutes later. Keane was played in again, and rounded the keeper. His angled shot was saved by a defender on the line, but the rebound fell to Hoolahan. Perez made a clumsy challenge, and Hoolahan went down. The referee pointed straight to the spot, and Keane again stepped up. He cooly slotted his penalty into the side netting on the keeper's left, sending Perez the wrong way. Keane has been in fantastic form domestically for LA Galaxy, and he just continues to write his legend in the green shirt.
Another awkward moment came for UEFA's newest members in the 24th minute as McClean sent in two dangerous crosses. The first was bundled out by Perez, and the second nearly found Keane. It is truly remarkable that Keane could have had four goals inside of 24 minutes.
McGeady forced a good save from Perez in the 33rd minute. Good, patient build-up play gifted the Evertonian time and space on the edge of box to the keeper's right, and disguised his shot well. It looked as though he would cross, but instead curled a snap shot right at the near post that Perez saved well. Hoolahan nearly found a fourth just a moment later, creating space for himself from 20 yards out. He went for power and not placement, and his daisy-clipping shot was just whiskers away.
Seconds later, McGeady nearly found himself a goal. Hoolahan played him in, and from a tight angle on the keeper's right, forced a terrific save. His strike seemed destined for the angle between roof and side netting, but Perez tipped it over the bar spectacularly.
In the second half, the Republic showed no signs of slowing down. Only 40 seconds from the restart, Keane had teed up McClean for a fourth. McGeady slipped in Keane who looked a shade offside, and after pulling Perez off his line slid a pass across the box to a wide open McClean who tapped the ball home into an empty net.
It appeared they had a fifth in just the 50th minute. A Darron Gibson freekick was flicked in by an offside John O'Shea. It was the correct decision, and they would have to wait only one more minute for the fifth. Keane was played in, and attempted to dink the ball in over Perez. He saved, and the rebound fell to Hoolahan. His shot was blocked on the line, but rebounded off Perez onto the bar and in.
The sixth was soon forthcoming. Keane was played in behind again, and his shot from a very tight angle was well kept out but the rebound went straight into the middle of the box. It fell straight to the feet of McClean, who made no mistake.
The seventh came just two moments later. Another great attacking move saw Hoolahan played in, and he made no mistake. Swiveling his hips, he made two defenders miss before just passing the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. As the scoreline stretched to 7-0, the early evening Dublin air was filled with chants of, "We want 10!"
Irish keeper David Forde finally had something to do on 61 minutes. A quality corner was sent in by Gibraltar, and it found the head of Chipolina. Forde had come partially off his line, and he made a very nice save to preserve his clean sheet.
Over the final 20 minutes, neither side really threatened with McGeady going closest in stoppage time. Substitute Robba did very well to keep out his header. The substitute did a nice job after relieving Perez, who really had a horrid day at the office. The result is a good one for the Republic if not an unexpected one. They should head to Gelsenkirchen full of confidence.