1 Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth)
Couldn't have done much about the goal and he spared Ireland from an embarrassing defeat with a late save from Akmedzade. Dropping a late corner didn't help Aviva Stadium nerves. Rating: 7
7 Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)
Was eager to push high and pull wide from the outset, but dropped deeper as Ireland's tempo slowed. Bar one dangerous foray into the box he offered little threat. Rating: 5
4 Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Finished the game as an auxiliary centre-forward as Ireland desperately tried to break down the visitors, and as is often the case he leaped the highest to save some serious blushes. Rating: 7
5 John Egan (Sheffield United)
The Algarve goalscorer gave his best Rio Ferdinand impression as his passing shone in the first-half. Like Duffy he was effectively a centre-forward in the frantic, desperate final minutes. Rating: 6
2 Séamus Coleman (Everton)
A game to forget for the Irish skipper. Stood off Makhmudov for an eternity, allowing the Azerbaijan midfielder to put the kettle on, write a few postcards and pick his spot before scoring the opener. Rating: 4
17 Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion)
An athletic showing from Molumby, who was often starting moves from deep before trying to finish them off in the Azerbaijan box. Lack of quality was exposed in a two-man midfield. Rating: 6
6 Josh Cullen (Anderlecht)
Picked up where he left off in the Algarve and started brightly, but faded as the game went on. Ireland's midfield failed to dictate the tempo and he too was culpable for the goal. Rating: 5
11 James McClean (Wigan Athletic)
We didn't learn anything new - McClean was typically industrious, delivered cross after cross of varying quality but ultimately couldn't provide a game-changing contribution. Rating: 5
21 Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Showed flashes of pace early on and was tame with a couple of half chances. Hooked at half-time as Kenny looked to bring some urgency into a turgid Irish performance. Rating: 4
10 Troy Parrott (MK Dons)
He didn't seem to have a defined role - he just floated around looking for the ball with minimal success. Showed the occasional deft touch but just looked a bit lost. Rating: 5
9 Adam Idah (Norwich City)
His hold up play and running in the channels were sharp again but he's yet to develop the killer instinct in front of goal needed on a day like this - as a late headed miss showed. Rating: 6
Bench
Daryl Horgan provided an instant injection of pace on his introduction at half-time while Callum Robinson tried desperately to create some late magic on his return from Covid-19. Rating: 7
Manager
Lives to fight another day. Ultimately one point earned from home fixtures against Luxembourg and Azerbaijan isn't good enough - even if his side did stick it to Portugal for 89 minutes. Rating: 4
