Republic of Ireland suffered their first home defeat in three years as Iceland reinforced their status as a growing European __football force with a 1-0 victory in Dublin on Tuesday.
This friendly encounter was a chance for some of Martin O'Neill's fringe players to make a statement but they lacked imagination and creativity in forward areas, registering just one shot on target as Hodor Magnusson's free-kick (21) proved the difference between the teams.
Iceland, who famously knocked out England at Euro 2016, are well positioned to make a charge for World Cup qualification from Group I and defended their box heroically at times to deny an in-form Irish side, who were unbeaten since the Euros.
O'Neill wanted to use this game to experiment with certain members of his squad, and John Egan and Conor Hourihane were handed senior debuts.
Robbie Brady returned from suspension to captain a team in which only Jeff Hendrick and James McClean survived from Friday's night's 0-0 World Cup Qualifier draw with Wales.
Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson also used the depth of his squad, making seven changes from Friday night's 2-1 win in Kosovo with Swansea's Gylfi Sigurdsson one of those to make way.
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Magnusson must have been taking tips from dead-ball king Sigurdsson in the week as he gave his team the lead on 21 minutes with the first real effort on goal in what was a slow burner of an international friendly.
Egan fouled Jon Dadi Bodvarsson from 22 yards out, which presented Magnusson with a chance to test Ashley Westwood. The Bristol City full-back didn't get much height on his effort but he found a gap between Hourihane and Hendrick in the Irish wall and curled a well-judged effort into the bottom corner.
O'Neill's side failed to find any rhythm in their approach play with the lone striker Kevin Doyle starved of any real service.
Their intensity improved after the break with Brady pushing higher up the pitch from left-back and Iceland were thankful to some brave headed clearances to deny the hosts a clear-cut chance from a couple of Brady crosses.
Daryl Horgan was handed his international debut on 65 minutes and did provide a little bit of spark. His cross on 73 minutes looked to have goalkeeper Ogmundur Kristinsson in trouble but the ball sailed to safety.
Ireland pressed for a late equaliser and although Alex Pearce did flick a late effort straight at Kristinsson - their only shot on target - the European Championship quarter-finalists saw the game out comfortably.
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