Republic of Ireland 3-2 Armenia
Crisis averted, for now.
But not until Armenia suffered their own meltdown at the death, after a spectacular Irish implosion just before it.
Robbie Brady bagged a last gasp penalty to bail the Boys in Green out of the slammer, after a VAR review for an Armenian handball.
And Scott Hogan should have added another in the seventh minute of injury-time but finished poorly.
READ MORE: Republic of Ireland 3-2 Armenia recap and result: Robbie Brady penalty wins it at the death
But by the 90th minute, it looked like Damien Delaney was onto something with his claim that Stephen Kenny’s Ireland are knee deep in quicksand.
2-0 up and comfortable - but never cruising - Ireland were doing enough in a game where they consistently failed to hammer home their superiority.
The performance did little to set pulses racing. The penalty drama and two Armenian red cards in the ensuing fallout saw to that.
And then, inexplicably, they handed their dismal hosts the mother of all gifts with two goals in the space of two minutes.
Not only that, Ireland were hanging on as resurgent Armenia pushed for a third.
There and then, debate on Kenny’s future was being wheeled back into the spotlight and grim post mortems were being prepared.
Questions still remain in that regard, but it’s the players who ought to take the rap for this one.
The dramatic conclusion and good time vibes from Brady’s goal shouldn’t mask how concerning Ireland’s ability to underwhelm is becoming.
Conor Hourihane’s error for the second goal was just calamitous stuff and disjointed Ireland are really struggling to find any sort of rhythm.
Especially so in a midfield that looked stale and devoid of creativity and which is a major cause for concern going into the Euros.
The win keeps the wolves from the door, but this emerging team is facing big questions going into the new campaign.
Kenny spoke about tempo in the build up and his team started brightly, taking the game to Armenia in a half in which they were camped deep behind enemy lines.
Michael Obafemi teased with an early glancing header while Egan almost got a final and telling touch on a powerful Dara O’Shea header.
O’Shea was particularly strong throughout. Ireland’s defenders had it easy because they had so much time on the ball but O’Shea’s physicality was always an asset.
And from a Matt Doherty cut inside off the right, Jason Knight was well placed to shoot at close range only for his effort to deflect for a corner - but a decisive one at that.
John Egan, the stand-in captain, timed his run to perfection and despite the attention of three defenders, met Brady’s ball to power an unstoppable header to the net.
That 18th minute goal was coming and the fans wanted more, but Armenia refused to come out to chase the game and were as defensive as they had been from the outset.
They may have caught Ireland off guard in Yerevan three months ago, but the visitors capitulated after that 1-0 win and lost their next four, conceding 14 and scoring one.
And they showed no desire whatsoever to even try to enhance their goals scored column, with breaks over the halfway line a rarity.
When they did show even a hint of ambition, Ireland’s defence stood united and snuffed out danger with the minimum of fuss.
Rather, the challenge for Ireland was trying to break down that stubborn rearguard and they repeatedly found pockets of space even if the chances were not clear cut.
Knight, full of energy and determination to get forward, stabbed an effort at goal only for it to deflect for a corner in what was Ireland’s next best opportunity of that half.
But Kenny’s men only had to wait for seven minutes of the second half before putting even more daylight between themselves and their abysmal opponents.
O’Shea chested down a clearance and returned the ball with interest, low and hard into Obafemi’s feet and he turned Varazdat Haroyan to finish from 25-yards.
Comfortable without being flash, Ireland should have been home and hosed at that point …. but decided to implode instead, in the space of two mindless minutes.
It all happened in such a blur, too.
First, Gavin Bazunu - who had nothing to do up to that point - pushed a Vahan Bichakhchyan shot onto the post but Artak Dashyan followed up to score.
But then Conor Hourihane, who had replaced Molumby, played a woeful square ball in the hope of finding Nathan Collins only for Eduard Bayramyan to intercept to score.
A complete and utter shambles.
Hourihane did try to make amends soon after but, when David Yurchenko saved Collins’ close range header, he steered the follow-up over the bar.
But Ireland got away with it when Brady tucked away the spot kick after VAR determined Hambartsumyan handled O’Shea’ shot.
READ NEXT:
Five in hospital after 100 hooded German fans 'in disguise' storm Wembley pub
Rare Michael Schumacher health update offered by close pal who visits F1 legend three times a week
Stuart Lancaster summer move to Racing 92 confirmed by Leinster Rugby
GAA has reached "crisis point" over referee assaults says Wexford chief
Threat of further IABA funding cuts on pause as Sport Ireland talks progress well
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
