The Republic of Ireland captain netted his first goal for Martin O’Neill’s side during Thursday’s 1-0 win over Georgia.
Everton stalwart Seamus Coleman finally broke his international duct on Thursday night, as the Republic of Ireland skipper’s fortuitous solo goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win over Georgia in a drab World Cup qualifying clash.
The game certainly wasn’t one for the purists, with Martin O’Neill’s side struggling to get out of first-gear during a nervy encounter with their Georgian rivals at the Aviva Stadium.
However, with tensions rising and Ireland failing to forge any meaningful attacks, Coleman, who was made permanent captain of his country last month following Robbie Keane’s retirement, took it upon himself to grab the match by the scruff of the neck in the 56th minute.
Making the type of lung-bursting right wing drive that has become synonymous with the former Sligo Rovers full back’s seven-year spell with Everton, Coleman received possession out wide and burst past a flurry of Georgian defenders before arriving on the angle of the six-yard area with a host of bodies in front of him.
Somehow, the Toffees’ right back pin-balled a series of one-two passes off the Georgian defenders and goalkeeper before miraculously ending up with the ball at his feet on the goal line to tap away a bizarre match-winning goal.
In many ways the strike was a result of Coleman’s incredible tenacity and desire and, though there was a large slice of luck involved, the Ireland skipper deserved his goal.
Following the 27-year-old’s freak goal, fans took to Twitter to react to the popular Everton man’s maiden international strike.
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