Robbie Keane hit a hat-trick on his return for Ireland as they beat sorry Gibraltar 7-0.
The Republic of Ireland ensured that they maintained their 100% record at the start of Euro 2016 qualifying as a Robbie Keane hat-trick inside 20 minutes inspired them to an emphatic 7-0 victory over a Gibraltar side who offered little resistance and have now conceded 14 goals in two qualifying matches.
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Ireland’s first goal came when Keane latched on to a cut back by the impressive Aiden McGeady and slotted past Perez in the Gibraltarian goal, whilst the second came when a long kick by David Forde bypassed the visiting defence, allowing Keane to steal in and effectively end the game as a contest inside a quarter of an hour:
Keane’s hat-trick came soon after a foul in the area by the hapless Perez allowed the experienced striker to step up and slot home a penalty, completing his third international treble. Gibraltar were able to hold on until half-time, but after the break the floodgates opened as Gibraltar collapsed, with Wigan winger James McClean coming to the fore and eviscerating the part-time back line.
After he had slammed home the fourt, a comedy moment came courtesy of Perez, who scored an incredible own goal after some pinball in the Ireland box, an error so poor that manager Allan Bula was forced to haul him off:
McClean added a sixth goal for the Irish before the final strike came with more than half an hour remaining, as the superb Wes Hoolohan earned himself a deserved goal that he was able to walk the ball into the net, with Perez nowhere to be seen in what proved to be his final stand before Bula substituted him.