Greece 2-0 Ireland
Despite a determined performance Ireland could not manage to find a result to match Thursday's dramatic victory in Helsinki, as Greece held on for victory in Piraeus on Sunday evening.
It was a hugely emotional night for the hosts. All those in attendance in the Karaiskakis Stadium came together pre-match to pay tribute to the late George Baldock, who played in this fixture just last year.
Against such an emotional backdrop, it was the hosts who flew out of the blocks. It was all Greece in the first half, and Ireland had their defensive troop to thank for going in goalless at the break - especially Caoimhín Kelleher. Greece would get their reward just after the break, with Anastosias Bakasetas putting them 1-0 up from range in the 48th minute.
The second half was dramatically improved from Ireland, however, and they were the better side in the game's closing stages.
How the hosts secured victory was all the more painful as a result, as Caoimhín Kelleher passed the ball straight to Petros Mantalos to double Greece's lead and halt some of the feel-good energy and momentum of Thursday's win.
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Greece 2-0 Ireland: Player ratings
Caoimhín Kelleher - 6.5
Made a superb point-blank save to deny Matsouras early on. He followed that up with an even better double save ten minutes later.
🇬🇷 0-0 🇮🇪
Good reactions from Caoimhin Kelleher to keep it scoreless #NationsLeague #COYBIG #rtesoccer
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📻 Listen: @GameOn2FM pic.twitter.com/LytIBTsH8u— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 13, 2024
Kelleher was outstanding in the first half, responsible in no small part for keeping Greece scoreless despite the immense pressure being piled on the Irish goal.
He was reliable throughout, which made his late error all the more baffling. His rating takes a significant hit purely for gifting Greece their second on the night but he was outstanding for the majority of the game.
RES: 🇬🇷 2-0 🇮🇪
Loose pass from Caoimhin Kelleher allows Mantalos to make it 2-0 #COYBIG #GREIRL #NationsLeague
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📻 Listen: @GameOn2FM pic.twitter.com/Vq2wb7Wg1i— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 13, 2024
Robbie Brady - 6
He constantly looked forward and tried to find bright, incisive passes. However, the execution of those passes left something to be desired early on. His first half set pieces were also overhit.
Pushed significantly higher up the pitch in the second half and immediately looked like more of a threat, as Ireland looked to up the ante and go more direct into the box.
Liam Scales - 7.5
13 October 2024; Liam Scales of Republic of Ireland has a header on goal despite the attention of Konstantinos Mavropanos, left, and Dimitris Kourbelis of Greece, centre, during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at Georgios Karaiskakis Football Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Robust early on, getting in several big blocks in the opening 10 minutes as Ireland weathered the storm from Greece. He was calm as the Greek pressure persisted during the first half, and was generally reliable at finding a solid outball.
He was unfortunate to play a role in Bakasetas' opener for Greece, which spun in off Scales' foot. However, Scales was - along with Kelleher - a major reason Ireland went in level at the break to begin with.
Nathan Collins - 6.5
There were a few ropey moments for Collins but none as bad as his mishap on Thursday, and his recovery was consistently excellent. Put in a massive block after getting caught out in the 25th minute and, through the chaos, marshalled the box decently alongside Scales.
Did brilliantly when Greece threatened to double their lead 15 minutes from time.
Dara O'Shea - 6
Much more assured in the opening stages than he was three days ago, controlling his man well in the chaos of the Irish box. He does look somewhat lost in possession out on the right but his positioning was more reliable than against Finland.
Greece did, however, use O'Shea's flank as a path to the Irish box on several occasions.
Sammie Szmodics - 5
13 October 2024; Sammie Szmodics of Republic of Ireland in action against Lazaros Rota of Greece during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at Georgios Karaiskakis Football Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Brought a lot of energy and fulfilled his defensive duties well during a first half in which there was little in terms of attack from Ireland. For fear of repeating oneself, questions were once again raised about just how effective Szmodics can be for Ireland in this deeper role.
Withdrawn with 20 minutes to go having had a forgettable night.
Jason Knight - 5
In the first half, Greece attacked through the middle and almost bypassed the Irish midfield duo. Knight's pressing was also frustrating as, on the rare occasion that he did win the ball, it generally went straight back to the opposition.
A little aimless in possession but he seemed to settle somewhat after Jack Taylor was introduced in the second half. Began to look for crosses into the box and Ireland began to utilise this as a tactic.
Josh Cullen - 5
Cullen was guilty of many of the same issues as Knight in the opening period and was also caught for two fouls in the first half. Played Ogbene through well for Ireland's best break before half-time.
Sat well off Bakasetas as he set himself to put Greece 1-0 up early in the second half.
Delivered a brilliant ball to set up Taylor's second-half header.
Chiedozie Ogbene - 5
Good forceful play from Chiedozie Ogbene sees Ireland win a corner and a chance to keep the ball in the Greek half #NationsLeague #COYBIG #rtesoccer
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A mixed bag early on but Ogbene became more confident in possession as the game progressed, and produced Ireland's best moment of the first half with his excellent break in behind just before half-time.
More often than not, however, Ogbene looked isolated and indecisive in possession. Withdrawn shortly after the break for Festy Ebosele.
Evan Ferguson - 4.5
13 October 2024; Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland in action against Lazaros Rota of Greece during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at Georgios Karaiskakis Football Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Extremely isolated for large portions of the first half. Had Ireland's best chance before the break when Greece sloppily gave up the ball in front of their own box. Half-hearted cries for a penalty fell on deaf ears as he was felled by Rota.
Most of the failings of Ferguson's performance were not his fault, with the Greek onslaught preventing the ball getting to him with any kind of regularity.
Withdrawn shortly after half-time as part of a system change.
Troy Parrott - 5.5
The sole change in the starting lineup from Thursday's game, with Finn Azaz dropping to the bench.
Indecisive and occasionally erratic with his pass selection in the first half. However, his pressing was relentless and he forced three Greek errors early on as Ireland desperately tried to get a foothold in the game. He was also utilised well when Ireland went long.
Could have done better when played in by Brady in the box just after the hour mark. Frustratingly ran himself into trouble with some regularity.
Substitutes
Festy Ebosele (for Ogbene, 57') - 5
Saw plenty of the ball after coming on but a lack of options saw him regrettably looking backwards more often than not.
Jack Taylor (for Ferguson, 57') - 5.5
Brought a welcome injection of energy in midfield. Nearly drew Ireland level with a powerful header with just over 20 minutes to go.
Jayson Molumby (for Knight, 72') - 5.5
A really bright cameo, Molumby saw plenty of the ball and did well to spread the ball out wide.
Mikey Johnston (for Szmodics, 72') - 5
Did well to take on his man and force Greece back.
Kasey McAteer (for O'Shea, 82') - n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
