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Man-of-the-match Robbie Brady is congratulated by David Meyler and Anthony Pilkington

First meeting between the countries for 12 years

Christie and McGoldrick handed Republic debuts

Pilkington scores first international goal

United States suffer second successive friendly defeat

Two goals from Robbie Brady and one each from Anthony Pilkington and James McClean helped the Republic of Ireland to victory over the United States.

Pilkington deftly chipped the ball over Bill Hamid for the opener, but Max Diskerud poked home the equaliser from close range.

Brady's tidy left-foot finish nudged the Republic ahead and James McClean's deflected effort made it 3-1.

A left-foot free-kick over the wall by Brady sealed the Republic win.

Republic manager Martin O'Neill made wholesale changes from the side which lost 1-0 to Scotland in Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier, including handing debuts to Derby County defender Cyrus Christie and Ipswich Town striker David McGoldrick.

The US, who were defeated 2-1 by Colombia at Craven Cottage at the weekend, made a bright start, but were rocked by Pilkington's fine finish for the opener.

McGoldrick provided a glorious through ball for the Cardiff City player, who deftly touched the ball right-footed over advancing goalkeeper Hamid for his first goal for his country.

Jurgen Klinsmann's side, currently 23rd in the Fifa rankings, responded well and Fabian Johnson shaved Shay Given's post with a well-struck left-foot shot.

Cardiff City player Anthony Pilkington gave the Republic an early lead in the friendly at the Aviva Stadium

Daryl Murphy had a left-foot shot blocked by Hamid and Alex Pearce headed over from Brady's resulting corner.

The visitors, who reached the last 16 at the World Cup in Brazil, replied when Diskerud toe-poked home his fifth international goal after Chris Wondolowski headed down Jozy Altidore's cross.

With two minutes of the first half remaining, Altidore rattled the woodwork with a left-foot drive after some neat United States build-up play.

The hosts restored their advantage through Brady after McGoldrick's exquisite inside pass sent him racing through on goal.

The US almost levelled when substitute Bobby Wood burst through on goal, but Given's slight touch was enough to deflect the ball round the post.

Shane Long struck the woodwork with a curling shot and, soon after, McClean's deflected effort from the edge of the area flew into the net.

Brady earned his side the fourth goal their performance merited by finding the top left-hand corner of the net with his free-kick from outside the area.

The Irish are next in action in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Group D leaders Poland in Dublin on 29 March.

The Republic lie three points behind the Poles after four rounds of qualifying fixtures, level on points with Germany and Scotland.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill: "It was very nice to score some goals and play well, particularly in the second half. We had some fine individual performances and it was a useful exercise, although it is the competitive matches that really matter."