Nathan Collins scored the only goal as the Republic of Ireland overcame Jack Moylan's first-half red card to beat Qatar 1-0 in an international friendly at Aviva Stadium. 

Qatar's Almoez Ali was also sent off in the 78th minute, with the Republic of Ireland able to hold on ahead of facing World Cup co-hosts Canada next Saturday. 

It took Heimir Hallgrimsson's side just five minutes to take the lead through captain Collins, who rose highest to brilliantly flick Moylan's teasing free-kick past Homam El Amin. 

The hosts continued to dominate proceedings as Jason Molumby's shot from distance forced the Qatar goalkeeper into a comfortable stop, though they found themselves a man down on the stroke of half-time. 

After scoring a hat-trick on his debut for his country and getting an assist here, Moylan was handed a straight red card following a clumsy challenge on Jassem Gaber in midfield. 

Despite having an extra man, Qatar struggled to test Caoimhin Kelleher, though the Brentford goalkeeper had to be alert to deny Yusuf Abdurisag's 71st-minute shot, which deflected off Collins before being pushed behind. 

Qatar's hopes of a comeback were dented when Ali raised his hands and pushed Molumby to the floor, and the Republic of Ireland could have added a second late on, but Collins' header across goal just evaded the heads of James Abankwah and Troy Parrott.

Data Debrief: Mixed match for Moylan

After the euphoria of scoring a treble on his international debut against Grenada last time out, Moylan looked visibly distraught after being sent off, becoming the first player to receive a red card for the Republic of Ireland in a home match since James McClean against Wales in October 2020. 

But Moylan (three goals, one assist) did become the first player since Robbie Brady in 2012 to score or assist in both of his first two caps for the Republic of Ireland, who earned their first victory when receiving a red card since October 2011, when they beat Armenia 2-1 despite having Kevin Doyle sent off.

And it was an unlikely hero in Collins who got the decisive goal. He is only the second Brentford player to score for the Republic of Ireland after Alan Judge against the United States back in June 2018. 

The Republic of Ireland have now gone seven matches without defeat (W5 D2) for the first time since an eight-game run between September 2021 and March 2022, and they were deserving of their win, too. They finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.79 from their 11 attempts to Qatar's 0.33 from their eight shots.