Idah was handed the opportunity to lead the line by Stephen Kenny in light of Brighton hotshot Evan Ferguson, who is missing with an injury.
Norwich City’s striker scored just his second international goal on his 18th cap for his country after Virgil van Dijk was penalised for a handball after a corner was cleared. Idah stepped up confidently, sending Brentford keeper Mark Flekken the wrong way from the spot.
The 22-year-old has struggled for form both domestically and internationally but caused problems for Liverpool’s van Dijk, Nathan Ake and Matthijs de Ligt throughout the evening at the Aviva Stadium.
Idah has started the season brightly, netting three goals in seven matches for club and country.
Cody Gakpo equalised from the spot soon after Ireland’s defensive line was caught too high. City defender Shane Duffy played Denzel Dumfries through before he was taken out by goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in the area.
The Liverpool attacker kept his cool from 12 yards. Wout Weghorst added a second on 66 minutes after finishing from close range from Dumfries’ cross to secure a victory for Ronald Koeman’s side.
IRELAND LEAD!!! 😱🇮🇪@NorwichCityFC‘s Adam Idah scores from the spot against the Netherlands 👏#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/pZXhQgbExb
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) September 10, 2023
Duffy, who was playing at home for his country for the first time in over a year, captained Ireland but was unable to prevent his side from falling to defeat. They sit in fourth in Group B, six points behind the Netherlands in second – leaving their hopes of qualification all but over.
Speaking post-match, Idah said to Virgin Media Sport: “It’s very disappointing. Today we performed very good, especially in that first half. It’s quite tough coming into the second half. They changed formation and we struggled to cop onto that.
“Everyone is disappointed in the dressing room and we’re gutted that we didn’t get even a point or all three.
“We performed really well and that is why we’re so disappointed. It’s hard to take. As a team and as staff, we need to take that in consideration. There’s been a lot of games where we’ve conceded quickly in the second half. That’s something we need to work on.”
Elsewhere, Dimi Giannoulis played a key role in Greece’s comprehensive 5-0 victory over Gibraltar in Lithuania.
The left back recorded an assist for the opening goal of the night, teeing up ex-Hull winger Dimitrios Pelkas to convert. Greece are now level on points with the Netherlands as they hope to qualify for next year’s tournament in Germany.
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