Sam Curtis scored the only goal as Republic of Ireland Under-21s defeated Turkey 1-0 in Istanbul on Friday to move into second place in their European Championship 2025 qualifying group.
Joe Hodge provided the pass to release Curtis who raced down the right and had time and space to confidently pick his space with a composed finish in the 85th minute.
It was a deserved victory for Jim Crawford’s side who sit two points behind group leaders Italy with three more games to play as they pursue a first-ever Euro U21 finals appearance in Slovakia next year.
The group winners and three second-place finishers will progress to next summer’s finals, with play-offs awaiting the others.
The victory completes a double over Turkey for the Republic, who won 3-2 when the sides met at Turner’s Cross, and the Irish have now won five of their last seven fixtures.
The Republic of Ireland host Latvia at Tallaght Stadium in their next qualifying game on Tuesday.
