Man City keeper Bazunu impresses on debut as Luxembourg defeat Ireland | OneFootball

The Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying hopes were dealt a massive blow as they slumped to a disastrous 1-0 home defeat by Luxembourg.

Gerson Rodrigues struck a brilliant 85th-minute winner from distance for the visitors.

James Collins missed the Republic's clearest chance after 18 minutes with Alan Browne heading wide on 54.

The result leaves the Republic bottom of Group A and already on the back foot without a point from two games.

The Irish cause was not helped by Serbia, who recovered from going 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw against group favourites Portugal.

Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made his international debut for Ireland.

Manager Stephen Kenny praised the Rochdale stopper's distribution skills in his pre-match comments and Bazunu lived up to the billing with the former Shamrock Rovers man spraying passes left and right - his chip out to Matt Doherty launched the move that culminated in Collins' chance - while displaying the confidence to belt out instructions to his defenders.