Watch: Christian Eriksen nets sublime first-time strike in 5-1 Republic of Ireland rout

Christian Eriksen

Denmark thrashed the Republic of Ireland 5-1 on Tuesday night to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Shane Duffy had given Martin O'Neill's side a sixth-minute lead, but Andreas Christensen's scuffed effort brought Denmark level on the half-hour mark.

Eriksen stamped his authority on the second leg just three minutes later to put the visitors into a commanding lead.

On a Danish counter-attack, Nicolai Jorgensen laid the ball off to 25-year-old Eriksen just outside the penalty area, who unleashed his unstoppable drive first time in off the crossbar.

The Republic couldn't find a response, as Eriksen scored a further two to complete an emphatic hat-trick.

Just to rub salt into the wounds, Nicklas Bendtner netted the Danes' fifth in added time from the penalty spot.

See also...

USA goalkeeper Ethan Horvath concedes absolute howler against Portugal

In Other News...