Mason Melia brace sees U-21s start Euro campaign with a hard-fought win over Moldova

Moldova U-21s 1 Republic of Ireland U-21s 2

Mason Melia after scoring twice in his side's victory in the Uefa European U-21 Championship qualifier at Nisporeni Central Stadium in Nisporeni, Moldova. Photo by Alex Nicodim/Sportsfile

He’ll soon make his big move to Spurs, but in Moldova, Mason Melia showed exactly why the Premier League club paid £1.5m for his services as the striker’s brace ensured the Ireland U-21s kicked off their Euro 2027 qualifying campaign with a win.

It wasn’t straightforward, though, as Jim Crawford’s side were made to work in the Moldovan heat, having gone behind early on when a fine finish from Mihai Lupan put the hosts in front. But Ireland responded well as Melia, the team’s

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