Greece 0-4 Ireland
A nervy first half gave way to a ruthless second, as Carla Ward's Ireland got their Nations League campaign back on track with a 4-0 win in Greece on Friday afternoon.
The disastrous 4-0 defeat in Slovenia in February meant that Ireland needed to bounce back but, for large portions of the first half, their performance was lacking in energy and impetus.
That would change after the break, with half-time substitutes Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva influential in turning the game around.
It was Sheva who put Ireland in front on 47 minutes, with a shot that took two deflections on its way to the Greek net.
Greece 0-1 Rep of Ireland
Super sub Marissa Sheva breaks the deadlock in Crete #COYGIG #GREIRL
📱 Updates - https://t.co/GyKXm91yDy
📺 Watch - https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/P9brUUj5bE
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 4, 2025
McCabe would then produce a sublime ball for Leanne Kiernan, whose saved effort was followed in by Kyra Carusa.
Greece 0-2 Rep of Ireland
Kyra Carusa in the right place at the right time to double the lead #COYGIG #GREIRL
📱 Updates - https://t.co/GyKXm91yDy
📺 Watch - https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/ZSiW0jmOKp
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 4, 2025
Jessie Stapleton would score her second international goal and Ireland's third with a clever header as the game began to wind down.
Greece 0-3 Rep of Ireland
Jessie Stapleton's near post header extends the Irish lead #COYGIG #GREIRL
📱 Updates - https://t.co/GyKXm91yDy
📺 Watch - https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/3SemftUXru
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 4, 2025
A fourth from Amber Barrett in injury-time on her 50th appearance for Ireland was the icing on the cake as Carla Ward's side undid the goal difference damage from Slovenia.
READ HERE: Katie McCabe Admits Frustration With "Patronising" Treatment From Referees
READ HERE: Three Ireland Stars Among Top Ten Championship Performers In Impressive Stats List
Greece v Ireland: WNT player ratings from Nations League clash
Courtney Brosnan - 6
One nervy moment after 22 minutes led to a Greek corner but for the most part, she dealt well with what came her way in the first half.
She was nearly caught on the ball by a sliding Greek forward just after the hour mark in a slightly shaky moment.
Megan Campbell - 5
A quiet presence in the first half, Greece drove down her side of the Ireland defence with some success. Her usually reliable set-piece delivery was a touch off.
Withdrawn at half-time.
Jessie Stapleton - 8
Her passing in the first half tried to cut through the lines, and she was one of the more positive Irish players on the ball during a lacklustre opening period.
She did not put a foot wrong all game, and her header to make it 3-0 was superb.
Anna Patten - 6.5
4 April 2025; Anna Patten of Republic of Ireland in action against Ioanna Papatheodorou of Greece during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Strong in defence and confident on the ball, though she was not as forward-thinking with the ball as her centre-half partner in the first half.
Had less to do defensively in the second half but continued to move the ball well.
Aoife Mannion - 6
Looked for incisive passing and drove forward but was wasteful with the ball at her feet.
Like many of her teammates, intensity improved in the second half.
Tyler Toland - 5
Greece enjoyed a good bit of space in the space in front of Ireland's back four in the space Toland was monitoring. She looked a bit lost when Ireland were in possession during the first half.
Withdrawn at the break.
Ruesha Littlejohn - 6
4 April 2025; Republic of Ireland players, from left, Anna Patten, Ruesha Littlejohn and Tyler Toland during the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann before the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Saw plenty of the ball and was clearly feeling confident with it. She took on several shots and audacious passes but the execution was lacking.
Improved in the second half, helping Ireland to gain control of proceedings and stifle the Greek attack.
Denise O'Sullivan - 7
Pivot point of the Ireland attack and one of the few who was always looking to open up space. Her technical quality shone above the rest as she captained Ireland in McCabe's absence but Greece's packed low block nullified her influence during the first half.
Controlled the ball well and laid it off for Sheva's opener.
Lucy Quinn - 5
Strggled to find space and time on the ball in the first half, though she grew into the game as Ireland's control grew in the second.
Leanne Kiernan - 7
4 April 2025; Leanne Kiernan of Republic of Ireland is tackled by Maria Mitkou of Greece during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The most driving presence in the Ireland attack, did the best work in moving the ball with pace but struggled when she got to the box. Still, looked the most likely Irish player to score in the first half.
Unlucky not to score with her final touch on the hour mark, with Carusa knocking home the rebound to put Ireland 2-0 up.
Kyra Carusa - 7
Good pressing game as always but was stifled well by the Greek centre-backs in the box in the first half.
Took her goal well on the rebound on the hour.
Substitutes
Marissa Sheeva (for Tyler Toland, h/t) - 7
Instant impact with the deflected opener for Ireland just after half-time.
Pressed high and caught Greece on the ball on several occasions, though her passing let her down more than once. Overall, though, a very positive showing.
Katie McCabe (for Megan Campbell, h/t) - 7.5
4 April 2025; Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Set piece delivery instantly improved after McCabe was introduced. Booked less than 10 minutes after being introduced.
Injected quality and pace into the Ireland attack. Her superb cross to Kiernan led to Carusa's 2nd for Ireland, and it was her who set up the third. A splendid performance off the bench.
Abbie Larkin (for Leanne Kiernan, 60') - 5
Had a close-range goal ruled out for offside with just over ten minutes to go.
Amber Barrett (for Kyra Carusa, 79') - 6.5
Showed superb speed to break away and finished ruthlessly for Ireland's fourth in injury-time.
Emily Murphy (for Lucy Quinn, 85') - n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
SEE ALSO: Roy Keane Flew Into Cork And Made Hospital Visit To Ailing Superfan
