Rep of Ireland 0 Iceland 1: Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson fires home a superb free-kick to see off Martin O’Neill’s second-string side

HORDUR BJORGVIN MAGNUSSON’S stunning free-kick sunk a second-string Irish side as England’s Euro 2016 conquerors struck again.

Robbie Brady captained Martin O’Neill’s much-changed team for this friendly following the double-leg break suffered by usual skipper Seamus Coleman in the weekend 0-0 draw against Wales.

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But Brentford defender John Egan brought down striker Alfred Finnbogason, giving Bristol City centre-back Magnusson the chance to curl home a bottom-corner left-footer on 21 minutes.

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Ireland improved dramatically after the break, with Burnley wideman Brady initially prominent from left-back, but his crossing was often below-par, and well-organised Iceland held on.

Preston’s Daryl Horgan outshone Ireland’s other three new boys.

Conor Hourihane and Egan started, while Horgan’s club-mate Andy Boyle came on.

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Jeff Hendrick and James McClean were the only players to retain their place following the Wales game.

Ireland’s midfield mostly struggled, though, while Kevin Doyle and James McClean rarely linked up well as a strike duo.

Nonetheless, Ireland woke up after their sterile first-half, notably through a string of teasing centres from Horgan and Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes.

Doyle and another substitute Callum O’Dowda were thwarted in front of goal as Ireland rallied in vain.

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