The Republic of Ireland endured a third loss in four matches under manager Heimir Hallgrimsson as Greece secured a 2-0 victory in their UEFA Nations League Group B2 encounter on Sunday. Playing in Athens, the Irish were outclassed by the Greek side, who maintained control for much of the game. Greece captain Tasos Bakasetas broke the deadlock early in the second half, putting the hosts ahead, and a late goal from Petros Mantalos, capitalizing on a crucial mistake by Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, sealed the win.
Despite the defeat, Kelleher had an impressive performance, especially during the first half, where he made a series of crucial saves that kept the game level. However, his late error marred what had been a solid showing, allowing Mantalos to pounce and confirm Greece’s dominance. The loss leaves Ireland in a precarious position, with two games left in the group stages.
Ireland Face Relegation Threat as Greece Maintain Lead
Greece’s victory further solidified their position at the top of Group B2, keeping them three points clear of England, who also secured a win against Finland earlier in the day. For Ireland, the defeat has serious implications, as it leaves them in third place with only two matches remaining. The Irish now face the prospect of a relegation play-off, a challenge that looms large with games against Finland and England still ahead.
Ireland’s next fixture will see them welcome Finland to Dublin, a must-win match if they hope to avoid dropping into a lower league. They will then travel to Wembley to face England, a daunting task that will require a significant turnaround in form. Greece, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for matches against England and Finland next month.
In-form Greece Dominate the First Half
Buoyed by the emotional charge of their first home game since the passing of defender George Baldock, Greece put on a commanding display in the first half against the Republic of Ireland. The visitors, fresh off a much-needed win in Helsinki, started brightly and had an early chance to take the lead. Evan Ferguson, in a moment of opportunity, fired wide from the edge of the box after a defensive mix-up by the Greek backline. Lazaros Rota’s timely challenge, however, ensured Greece were not punished for their early defensive lapse.
From that moment on, Greece assumed control of the game, pinning Ireland back with sustained pressure. Playing with great courage and resilience, the Greek side created several clear chances but were repeatedly denied by Ireland’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. First, Kelleher blocked a powerful volley from Giorgos Masouras at his near post, and shortly afterward, he thwarted Bakasetas after the Greek captain waltzed past Liam Scales. Despite Greece’s dominance, they couldn’t find the back of the net before the interval, largely due to Kelleher’s stellar performance.
Greece Break Through After the Interval
After a first half of frustration, Greece found the breakthrough just three minutes into the second half. The Republic of Ireland, who had managed to stay level thanks to Kelleher, finally conceded when Bakasetas struck a deflected shot that spun off Liam Scales and past Kelleher, igniting the home crowd. The goal, though fortuitous, was well-deserved for a Greece side that had relentlessly pressured their Irish counterparts.
Following their emotionally and physically draining victory against England at Wembley just days earlier, Greece’s intensity naturally waned as the second half progressed. This dip in energy opened the door for the Republic of Ireland, especially after the introductions of Festy Ebosele and Jack Taylor, who injected fresh momentum into the Irish attack. Taylor came close to marking his debut with a goal, but Odisseas Vlachodimos tipped his header over the bar to preserve Greece’s lead. Despite a late surge, Ireland couldn’t capitalize on their chances, and the Greek defense held firm.
Late Lapse Seals Ireland’s Fate
As the Republic of Ireland pressed for an equalizer, their hopes were dashed by a late and costly mistake from their goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher. In a moment of poor judgment, Kelleher passed the ball straight to Greece substitute Petros Mantalos, who calmly rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into an open net, sealing a 2-0 victory for the home side. This error was reminiscent of Ireland’s defensive lapses in their recent fixtures, including a similar mistake by captain Nathan Collins against Finland.
For Ireland, this defeat marked their fourth consecutive loss to Greece in the last 16 months, leaving them with much to ponder. Meanwhile, Greece’s victory further solidified their campaign for promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. The emotional victory was dedicated to their late defender George Baldock, as the players held up a shirt bearing his name in a touching tribute after the final whistle. It was another night of resilience for Greece, who navigated both emotional and physical hurdles to secure an important three points.
