© Val Wagner
Luxembourg held Ireland to a goalless draw in a tense friendly on Tuesday, delivering a solid on-field performance amid off-pitch protests over the controversial inclusion of Gerson Rodrigues.
Luxembourg earned a 0-0 draw against Ireland on Tuesday evening in a friendly match overshadowed by the ongoing controversy surrounding Gerson Rodrigues, selected to represent the Red Lions despite a recent domestic abuse conviction. While the encounter on the pitch was encouraging for the team, the mood in the stands reflected the off-field tensions.
Played at the Stade de Luxembourg, the match was goalless but far from dull. The home side, under coach Luc Holtz, delivered a disciplined and energetic performance, especially in the first half. Luxembourg pressed well and disrupted Ireland's rhythm, limiting the visitors' attacking options.
Danel Sinani came closest to scoring for Luxembourg in the 28th minute with a well-struck left-footed shot from 20 metres, parried by Irish goalkeeper Max O'Leary. Rodrigues, selected despite his recent suspended prison sentence, was involved in several attacking plays but failed to trouble the keeper.
Ireland nearly took the lead just before the break when Collins' header hit the post.
After halftime, Ireland grew into the match, with McAteer testing the Luxembourg defence early on.
But it was the home side who created the better chances in the opening minutes of the second half. Dardari narrowly missed a right-wing cross, Jans had a shot deflected, and Vincent Thill forced a strong save from O'Leary in the 63rd minute.
The Irish came closest to breaking the deadlock late on, when Taylor's shot struck the crossbar following a poor clearance by Luxembourg's Barreiro. Fatigue seemed to set in for the home team, who looked less sharp in the final stretch.
Off-field tensions
The match was played in a tense atmosphere due to ongoing criticism of Rodrigues' inclusion in the squad. Fans in the stands again held up red cards and protest banners aimed at the Luxembourg Football Federation, similar to the game against Slovenia days earlier. Though Rodrigues was booed during the match, the atmosphere remained calmer than in Friday's game.
Despite the off-field controversy, the result is a positive one for Luxembourg against a traditionally strong opponent. In six meetings, Luxembourg has defeated Ireland only once – a historic 1-0 away win in 2021. This draw offers a solid foundation ahead of September's World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Slovakia.
