San Marino U21 0-7 Republic of Ireland U21 - Rocco Vata scores hat-trick
- Published
Sinclair Armstrong opened the scoring in the 26th minute
Celtic's Rocco Vata scored a hat-trick to help the Republic of Ireland Under-21s secure a dominant 7-0 win away to San Marino on Friday.
Vata was one of four visiting players on target to help the Republic remain on track to qualify for the 2025 European Under-21 Championship.
Sinclair Armstrong, Andrew Moran and Armstrong Oko-Flex also found the net.
Giacomo Benvenuti scored an own goal to help Jim Crawford's team keep pace with leaders Italy after six Group A games.
QPR forward Armstrong opened the scoring in San Marino after 26 minutes and while it remained 1-0 until half-time, the floodgates soon opened.
Moran doubled the visitors' advantage in the 53rd minute and it sparked a spell of five goals in 19 minutes.
Vata hit a quickfire double after San Marino's Benvenuti had put through his own net, before Oko-Flex made it 6-0.
There was still time for Celtic attacker Vata to complete his hat-trick in stoppage time to cap a satisfactory night for the Republic, who stay second and occupy a play-off berth.
Crawford's men are a point behind leaders Italy with four fixtures left to play, including September group matches with Turkey and Latvia.