Republic of Ireland 0-2 Greece: Dismal home defeat ends Irish hopes of Euro 2024 qualification

Ireland’s hopes of reaching for UEFA Euro 2024 are over after a 2-0 home defeat to Greece at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

First-half goals from Giorgos Giakoumakis and Giorgos Masouras did the damage for Gustavo Poyet’s side, who move about the Netherlands and into Group B’s top two.

Greece play the Netherlands next in what will be a huge clash for an automatic spot, while Ireland travel to Gibraltar.

Ireland started the first half on top and had four shots in the opening 10 minutes but their early pressure wouldn’t amount to anything.

As Greece grew into the game, Konstantinos Tsimikas gained the early advantage in an intriguing battle with Luton Town’s Chiedozie Ogbene taking the winger on and providing an inch-perfect cross for Giakoumakis.

Gavin Bazunu could get nowhere near the striker’s thumping header, destined for the top left corner, as he put Greece into the lead.

As Ireland pushed for an equaliser, they were caught on the counter-attack and Greece doubled their lead deep into added-time at the end of the first half, putting the hosts on the brink of elimination.

The visitors broke forward in a lightning move through Giakoumakis, who switched the ball to Dimitrios Pelkas at the back post. He fluffed his shot, but it unintentionally trickled into the path of Masouras who made no mistake from six yards out.

Ireland gave a good account of themselves in the second half with some promising forward play, but the damage was already done as Greece cruised their way to victory.

Poyet’s side move above the Netherlands and into Group B’s automatic qualification places, with the two teams facing off on Monday.

The chances of Ireland progressing from Group B and securing a ticket to Euro 2024 next year were slim, but defeat against Greece ended all hope of a European tour to Germany.

Irish fans will be disappointed with how they went out, too. Just one win in six group games so far, the victory coming against winless Gibraltar, while Greece – just four places ahead of Ireland in the FIFA rankings – made it 12 points from 18 and have given themselves a fantastic chance of qualification.

The Liverpool defender produced the performance you’d expect from a player at a top Premier League club, controlling the game from full-back and dealt with a bright Ogbene very well.

He was a constant threat down the left flank where he completed the most dribbles of anyone else on the pitch (4), and in defence won the most duals (8).

Tsimikas also produced a world-class cross following a tricky run for Giakoumakis to thump home and give Greece the lead – and from there they never looked back.

IRELAND: Bazunu 6, Collins 6, Duffy 7, Scales 6, Doherty 6, Browne 6, Cullen 7, Ogbene 7, Smallbone 7, Knight 7, Ferguson 6

Subs: Manning 6, Robinson 6, Johnston 6

GREECE: Vlachodimos 8, Rota 7, Mavropanos 7, Retsos 7, Tsimikas 8, Bakasetas 7, Kourbelis 7, Mantalos 7, Masouras 8, Giakoumakis 8, Pelkas 8

Subs: Koulierakis 6, Bouchalakis 6, Siopis 6, Ioannidis 6, Chatzigiovanis 6

3’ – SMALLBONE DENIED EARLY ON! Ogbene makes a tricky run down the right and finds William Smallbone in the box but his shot on target is saved.

17’ – BAKASETAS’ SHOT IS BEATEN AWAY! The Greek winger takes aim from wide right, cutting in on his left and dropping the ball just in front of Gavin Bazunu as it skims across the wet surface, but the Southampton goalkeeper does enough to steer the ball away.

20’ – GOAL!! IRELAND 0-1 GREECE (GIAKOUMAKIS): Tsimikas knocks the ball one side of Ogbene before sprinting around the other, then produces a deep cross on a plate for Georgios Giakoumakis to steer powerfully beyond Bazunu. What a goal!

45’+4 – GOAL!! IRELAND 0-2 GREECE (MASOURAS): In a lightning move from one end to the other, Greece break forward and send Giakoumakis chasing the ball down the right. He switches the ball across the box for Pelkas at the back post who fluffs his shot, but it unintentionally trickles into the path of Masouras who makes no mistake from six yards out.

54’ – PELKAS’ SHOT DEFLECTS WIDE! The Greece forward opens up his body and looks for the far post with his right boot but his effort takes a nick off Doherty and sends the ball wide of the post.

62’ – IRELAND PENALTY SHOUT! Knight goes down in the box after clashing with Masouras but the referee isn’t interested.

• Republic of Ireland have lost five group stage matches in a European Championship group stage campaign for the first time since Euro 1972 qualifying.
• Republic of Ireland have never beaten Greece in five previous meetings (D1 L4).
• Greece have won both of their previous three away matches at the Republic of Ireland, two 1-0 wins in friendlies in April 2000 and November 2012, as well as Friday’s 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win.