Republic of Ireland 3-0 Scotland: Michael Obafemi stars as Irish finally claim first Nations League win

The Republic of Ireland won for the first time in the Nations League when they beat Scotland in Dublin.

The Republic took a 20th-minute lead through Alan Browne with Troy Parrott doubling the advantage after being teed up brilliantly by the impressive Michael Obafemi as they desperately needed points.

Obafemi then capped an outstanding individual display by thundering home the Republic's third from distance five minutes later, but was forced to leave due to an injury.

The Irish thought they had scored a fourth just after the hour when Grant Hanley hooked Scott Hogan's goal off the line.

Scotland's disappointing result in this competition is due to how they bounced back from their World Cup disappointment by beating Armenia.

The Republic moved up to second place in Group B1, behind the Scots but having played more games.

Obafemi shines for rejuvenated Republic

The Republic looked much sharper and hungrier from the beginning of the game than Scotland did after they lost their first two Nations League games.

One of the five players drafted in by Stephen Kenny was Dubliner Obafemi, who made his international debut.

It was Obafemi who robbed Scotland centre-back Grant Hanley of the ball before finding James McClean, and theSwansea forward would have connected with McClean's cross had it not been for Scott McKenna's headed corner.

Thankfully for the hosts, McClean's corner was headed back into the danger area where Browne was able to bundle the ball past Craig Gordon from point blank range.

The corner for the Republic's opener was brought about by Obafemi but he was the architect for the second.

After picking up a loose ball in the middle of the park, Obafemi took a step-over and lifted the ball in for the 20-year-old to head past Gordon.

Scotland struggle to respond to Irish goals

It was an even first half and the Republic were fortunate not to have been punished for a couple of sloppy passes out of defence, both of which resulted in John McGinn shots from the edge of the area.

Obafemi put the game beyond Scotland when he lashed a fierce right-footed shot past Gordon after Billy Gilmour had lost the ball in a dangerous position.

The Republic dropped off after Hogan was denied by Hanley and the home side's third goal effectively killed the game as a contest with Scotland failing to muster a response.

The Irish will hope to maintain their good fortune when they travel to Poland to take on Ukraine on the same day as the Armenia game.

Scotland's first defeat in Ireland since 1963 - match stats

• Republic of Ireland have won their first ever game in the Nations League at the 13th attempt of trying (W1 D5 L7), scoring more goals (3) than they managed in their first 12 matches in the competition combined (2).
• Scotland suffered just their second away defeat to Republic of Ireland (P7 W2 D3 L2) and first since June 1963 (1-0).
• This was Republic of Ireland's biggest competitive win on home soil since October 2014, when they beat Gibraltar 7-0 in a European Championship qualifier.
• Republic of Ireland had two players aged 21 or under (Michael Obafemi & Troy Parrott) score in a competitive game for the first time since September 1997 (David Connolly & Mark Kennedy vs Iceland).
• Parrott (20y 127d) became the youngest player to score a competitive goal for Republic of Ireland since Stephen Ireland in October 2006 (20y 46d vs Cyprus in a European Championship qualifier).
• Obafemi and Parrott became the first players to both score and assist in a competitive game for Republic of Ireland since both Robbie Keane and Wes Hoolahan did so against Gibraltar in October 2014.

• R. of IrelandRepublic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland
• ScotlandScotlandScotland