All to play for as Ireland earn draw against Denmark

Republic of Ireland's bid to reach the World Cup Finals remains on course after they earned a superb scoreless draw against Denmark in Copenhagen on Saturday night.

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph was in superb form in this first leg play-off, making three crucial first half saves to keep his team in it when the home side were on top.

He then saved the day in the final minutes tipping over a goalbound header by Poulsen.

The result sets up a big night in Dublin on Tuesday with both teams just 90 minutes way from booking their ticket to Russia.

It will all go down to a final game showdown, manager Martin O'Neill will be happy with that after his team battled hard for their clean sheet.

The home nation made a dominant start as Ireland sat deep and there was an early scare when Denmark broke with a promising attack on six minutes but Cyrus Christie made a superb tackle on Eriksen just when the Spurs striker was about to go for goal.

A superb double save by Randolph prevented Denmark from taking the lead on 11 minutes.

A great diagonal ball by Kjear found Larsen, his volley was parried by the Ireland keeper, Cornelius latched onto the loose ball but Randolph was on hand to make a crucial save on the line.

The next ten minutes was relatively tame but the Denmark threat came again by way of Eriksen who collected the ball some 20 yards and turned onto his left foot to drill a shot straight at Randolph.

If Ireland were going to break the ice it was most likely going to come from a set-piece.

That opportunity arrived on 25 minutes after a trip on James McClean, but the delivery from the free kick was poor and Denmark cleared their lines.

Denmark missed a glorious chance on 32 minutes.

Eriksen pounced on a mistake by Ciaran Clark, carried the ball a few yards before going for goal, Randolph fisted the ball out but only to Sisto who flashed a shot inches wide of the gaping goal.

Ireland’s first real attack of note almost brought a goal. With just a minute left in the first half a brilliant run by Christie took him into the box, his attempt for goal was pushed away by Schmeichel with Jeff Hendrick following up but his shot was blocked.

The second half began similar to the first with Denmark pressing and Ireland sitting and holding their shape hoping to hit their opponents on the counter attack.

Past the hour mark and it remained scoreless, Ireland not looking like finding the net, but importantly the chances had dried up for Denmark.

A rare half chance fell to Clark on 67 minutes, the ball hitting off his knee instead of his left boot. Then at the other end Poulsen had space on the edge of the box but drilled his effort inches wide of the left post.

It was tense right to the end as Randolph denied Poulsen from grabbing a last minute winner and then in added time Larsen's drive took a deflection off Christie and finally it was all over.