Irish efforts come to nought as Greece double up

The Republic of Ireland were were brought back down to earth as they were soundly beaten 2-0 by Greece at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side were unable to match their Helsinki heroics and were truthfully second best against the group leaders who scored at either end of the second half to complete the Irish double in this Nations League campaign.

Somehow scoreless at the break, Greece took just three minutes of the second half to take the lead as Anastasios Bakasetas crashed home the opener from the edge of the box.

Ireland pushed for an equaliser late in the game but Greece wrapped up the points in injury-time as Caoimhin Kelleher gifted Petros Mantalos a goal to secure the victory on an emotional night for the home side.

There was a moving tribute ahead of kick-off as the team stood for a moment’s appreciation for George Baldock who tragically died last week.

The Ireland head coach feared a fast start from the host side, however, it was his own charges who were first to threaten.

With just five minutes on the clock, Greece were caught casually playing the ball out of defence, allowing Evan Ferguson to race into the box, however, he could not make clean contact and pushed it wide.