Match ends, Republic of Ireland 2, Moldova 0.
The Republic of Ireland will face Wales on Monday with automatic World Cup qualification still possible after two Daryl Murphy goals sealed victory over Moldova.
Serbia, who suffered a last-gasp 3-2 defeat by Austria, lead Wales by only a point, with the Irish a further point adrift and only Monday's Group D fixtures remaining.
After Wales's victory in Georgia earlier on Friday, the Republic had to win and were always in control after Murphy volleyed the opener after two minutes in Dublin.
His magnificent header doubled the lead after 19 minutes.
The eight best second-placed teams from the nine groups enter the play-offs, and victory in Cardiff will guarantee Martin O'Neill's side second spot.
However, if Serbia lose at home to Georgia, the Republic - ranked 34th in the world - would top the group with victory over Wales.
Republic boss Martin O'Neill announced on Thursday that he had agreed a new two-year contract, and Friday's result keeps alive his hopes of a second successful qualifying campaign.
Murphy and O'Dowda vindicate O'Neill's selection
O'Neill caused something of a surprise by handing a first competitive start to Callum O'Dowda but the Bristol City winger vindicated his selection with an energetic and skilful display.
With James McClean suspended, O'Dowda, 22, was preferred to the more experienced Aiden McGeady and his calmness in possession and strong running gave the Republic an alternative creative outlet to Wes Hoolahan.
In between Murphy's goals, a brilliant O'Dowda run and pass set up a glorious chance squandered by Shane Long.
O'Dowda's display means he must be in contention to retain his place in Cardiff despite McClean and Brady returning from suspension.
With Jonathan Walters unavailable because of injury, Murphy was picked to partner Long in attack.
The Nottingham Forest striker's second international goal - volleyed home after Moldova failed to deal with a Stephen Ward long throw - was the perfect start for the Irish.
Murphy produced a perfectly placed looping header to give the Republic breathing space after Hoolahan's magnificent diagonal ball was followed by Ward's cross to the back post.
Long's struggles continue
In contrast to his strike partner, Southampton's Long had another frustrating evening as his failure to take three clear chances extended his barren run for club and country to 24 games.
He fired badly wide in the 15th minute after being set up by O'Dowda and was denied by keeper Ilie Cebanu before the break.
Long's frustration was obvious in the 61st minute after he prodded wide with Cebanu out of position after O'Dowda's shot had been blocked.
Keeper Darren Randolph made a superb diving save to tip over a Sergiu Platica shot in the first half to preserve the Republic's 2-0 lead.
Moldova, ranked 156th in the world, dominated much of the second half but lacked punch up front and their night ended on a sour note as midfielder Alexandru Gatcan was dismissed in stoppage time after thrusting his head towards Republic substitute Harry Arter.
'Let's go for it' - What they said
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill: "We went to Lille having to win to get into the last 16 (against Italy at Euro 2016) and we did it, so let's go for this. We know what we have to do now. We have to win a game in Cardiff.
"We did fine in the first half, got an early goal and followed it up with a great goal from Murph. Second half, we probably took our foot off the pedal, but it was all about winning the game and it sets us up nicely for Monday night.
"We have some pretty decent players coming back. James McClean has been fantastic for us in this tournament and Robbie Brady is a very, very good player so it is pretty interesting for Monday now."
Republic of Ireland goalscorer Daryl Murphy: "I was confident going into the game after scoring for my club this season and I wanted to repay the manager for his faith in me.
"It's a big night for me. To score two goals, I can't ask for any more really.
"We always knew that we needed to win these two games. Monday is massive. We will be ready."
The stats you need to know
- After losing against Serbia in their previous home game, the Republic of Ireland maintained their record of having not lost back-to-back home games in competitive action since 1972.
- The Republic have kept six clean sheets in their last eight competitive home games
- Martin O'Neill's team have scored four goals in the opening five minutes of games in 2018 World Cup qualifying; the most of any European team.
Line-ups
Republic of Ireland
Formation 4-4-2
- 23Randolph
- 2Christie
- 20Duffy
- 3Clark
- 17Ward
- 14HoolahanSubstituted forMcGeadyat 79'minutes
- 18Meyler
- 13Hendrick
- 12O'Dowda
- 9LongSubstituted forMaguireat 83'minutes
- 8MurphySubstituted forArterat 79'minutesBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 1Doyle
- 4O'Shea
- 5Keogh
- 6Whelan
- 7McGeady
- 10O'Kane
- 11Maguire
- 15Hourihane
- 16Elliot
- 19Hogan
- 21Long
- 22Arter
Moldova
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Cebanu
- 14Bordian
- 4Racu
- 6Epureanu
- 22RazgoniucBooked at 41mins
- 16PlaticaSubstituted forAmbrosat 79'minutes
- 8GatcanBooked at 90mins
- 17Anton
- 7Ionita
- 10DedovSubstituted forCociucat 55'minutes
- 11Ginsari
Substitutes
- 3Graur
- 9Antoniuc
- 12Pascenco
- 13Cojocari
- 15Cociuc
- 19Ambros
- 20Pascenco
- 21Ojog
- 23Koselev
- Referee:
- Bas Nijhuis
- Attendance:
- 50,560
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home43%
- Away57%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Republic of Ireland 2, Moldova 0.
Dismissal
Alexandru Gatcan (Moldova) is shown the red card for violent conduct.
Post update
Foul by Alexandru Gatcan (Moldova).
Post update
Harry Arter (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Booking
Harry Arter (Republic of Ireland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Artiom Razgoniuc (Moldova) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Harry Arter (Republic of Ireland).
Post update
Foul by Artiom Razgoniuc (Moldova).
Post update
Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Alexandru Epureanu (Moldova) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Sean Maguire (Republic of Ireland).
Post update
Attempt missed. Gheorghe Anton (Moldova) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Artur Ionita.
Post update
Foul by Eugeniu Cociuc (Moldova).
Post update
Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Sean Maguire replaces Shane Long.
Substitution
Substitution, Moldova. Vladimir Ambros replaces Sergiu Platica.
Substitution
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Harry Arter replaces Daryl Murphy.
Substitution
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Aiden McGeady replaces Wes Hoolahan.
Post update
Sergiu Platica (Moldova) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Comments
Join the conversation
That wasn't racial abuse towards Keane you wally.
People like you use the racial abuse card way too easily.
Pathetic!
Ok if that were true maybe we wouldn't be such a poor team for the last 18 years, but still, we will take some credit. Great performance Daryl Murphy and well done ireland. As an Englishman I'm really looking forward to the Wales v Ireland game, should be like a big premier league derby!
As #2.Sir Marmalade pointed out, that wasn't racial abuse. I've seen many athletes, for whatever reason, refuse to sign autographs (sometimes their just tired/not in the mood, etc). You're looking to score some cheap political correctness points and smearing the reputation of another person. You're beneath contempt.
~VI
Your ignorance is astonishing.
If your brains were made of dynamite, you wouldn't have enough to blow your nose!
did you comment first on the wales HYS number one i belive
i belive you did saying "i dont like the clubs in the world cup "
your class pal
Ha ha ha, 1988 Euro finals England 0-1 Republic of Ireland, you know nothing lad, better to say nothing than to be ignorant. 😂
The Irish football team are one of the most gutsy, hardworking and passionate international teams and they have actually been in 6 major tournaments. They made the world cup quarter finals in 1990 narrowly loosing 1-0 to the home nation Italy in the quarters and took Spain to Penalties in the 2002 world cup. Please leave you're racist bigoted beliefs about Ireland to your self.