Republic of Ireland 0 - 2 Greece | 2024 - UEFA European Qualifiers | 2036431

European Qualifiers Qualifying - Group B | Aviva Stadium, Dublin
13 October 2023 - 19:45

Republic of Ireland 0 - 2 Greece

full-time Giakoumakis(20) Masouras(45+4)
Republic of Ireland Greece

Report | Ireland 0-2 Greece - Defeat at Aviva

The Republic of Ireland were defeated by Greece in their last home qualification at the Aviva Stadium as first-half goals from Giakoumakis and Masouras compounded Ireland to a 2-0 defeat.
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13th Oct 2023

Stephen Kenny handed a senior debut to Liam Scales for the contest to play on the left side of the Irish defence. Ireland had the first shot on target in the opening minutes when a clever pass from Ogbene to Smallbone forced Vlachodimos into a clever save with Scales sending the second ball over the bar.

In the next phase of attack, Evan Ferguson’s left-footed effort from the edge of the area saw the ball strike the butt of the post and wide as Vlachodimos was beaten. Mantalos had the first chance of note for the Greek side with his effort blocked down by Nathan Collins in the area.

Bazunu was forced into a low save following Bakasetas cutting in on his left then his low effort being saved excellently by the Irish keeper en route to goal. Greece were to open the scoring as a cross from the left by Tsimikas to the Irish area was met by Giakoumakis with a bullet header that struck the top corner of the net.

Ireland searched for a quick response as Ogbene saw his shot blocked by Rota in the Greek area from a freekick with Smallbone’s shot just going over following his shot from the edge of the area.

Bazunu again was forced to make another fine save following some link-up play between Giakoumakis and Pelkas saw the winger take a shot from an angle that saw his shot tipped over by the Irish keeper. Josh Cullen had a shot that went over just before halftime after the initial effort from Smallbone was blocked down.

Shane Duffy forced a clever save from Vlachodimos following a Smallbone free kick that saw the Irish defenders header on target only to be denied by the Greek shot-stopper. Greece added a second goal following a break from the Greek defence with Giakoumakis sending the ball to the back post with Masouras slotting it past Bazunu.

Pelkas had the first sight on goal in the second half for the away side as Matt Doherty’s slightest touch deflected it wide for a corner. Jason Knight had Ireland’s first chance of note as he collected the ball in midfield with his effort going wide of the post. Liam Scales did excellently to block down Chatzigiovanis’ shot en route to goal with the resulting corner being well caught by Bazunu.

Greece went close to adding a third as a cross from the right into the Irish goal area was met by Ioannidis as his header went just over. Shane Duffy once again had a sight on goal but Vlachodimos was equal to his effort.

Matt Doherty forced a great save from Vlachodimos after a quick corner that saw Robinsons' short pass to Doherty see his effort blocked on the line. Robinson would then have a sight on goal moments later with his shot just going wide of the post.

Adam Idah had the last opportunity of the game latching onto a cross from right at the back post with his header going wide. The Republic of Ireland next face Gibraltar in Faro on Monday. 

Republic of Ireland: Bazunu (GK), N. Collins (Manning 46), Doherty, Duffy, Cullen, Browne (Johnston 70), Ferguson, Smallbone (Robinson 70), Scales, Knight, Ogbene (Idah 85).
Subs not used: Travers (GK), O'Leary (GK), O'Shea, Omobamidele, Sykes, Molumby, McGrath, Ebosele
Greece: Vlachodimos (GK), Retsos, Mavropanos, Kourbelis (Bouchalakis 63), Masouras (Koulierakis 87), Pelkas (Chatzigiovanis 63), Bakasetas (Siopis 87), Rota, Giakoumakis (Ioannidis 70), Mantalos, Tsimikas.
Subs not used: Paschalakis (GK), Dioudis (GK), Pavlidis, Fountas, Alexandropoulos, Saliakas, Giannoulis.

Booked: Smallbone, Pelkas

Player of the Match: Chiedozie Ogbene
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)
Attendance: 41,239

Match Preview | Republic of Ireland v Greece

Republic of Ireland welcome Greece to the Aviva Stadium for their final home qualifying match of the campaign on Friday night.
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12th Oct 2023

Ireland will be looking to take maximum points in this window against Greece and Gibraltar to have any hope of remaining in the automatic qualification race for UEFA EURO 2024.

Greece travel to Dublin having secured a 2-1 win over Ireland in Athens in June and Stephen Kenny's side will be looking to avenge that result tomorrow night.

Match Details

Fixture: Republic of Ireland v Greece
Competition: UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying
Date: Friday, October 13
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Aviva Stadium
TV: RTE

Match Officials

Referee: Gleen Nyberg (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderqvist (SWE)
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck (SWE)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)

Team News

Forward Sammie Szmodics has withdrawn from the squad due to family reasons. Otherwise, Stephen Kenny has a fully fit 23-man squad to choose from with Alan Browne recovering from illness earlier in the week.

MD-1 Press Conference v Greece | Manager Stephen Kenny

“It's going to be a real epic battle, Greece have been consistent over the last couple of seasons and we've got to produce a big performance to win. We can look at Gibraltar after that and then take it into the next window.

“At the moment, we're just firmly focused on Friday because it is a big challenge for us on Friday and one that we must rise to. I know the players are very determined to put in a strong performance and get that victory that we need.

"The atmosphere at the home games has been really electric, people realise it's a special occasion, Ireland playing at home, we want to finish the group strongly, we are still in contention for automatic qualification.

“It's not in our own hands, we are relying on results elsewhere, we have to see if we can take it to the November window and the only way we can do that is by taking six points from this window."

MD-1 Press Conference v Greece | Captain Shane Duffy

"It is a young team. Me and Matt (Doherty) are now the oldest. It is a new role I suppose but very enjoyable trying to keep up with the young lads.

"I suppose it is up to us to lead by example around the place and try and guide where possible, I try and do it anyway when Seamus (Coleman) is in and even John (Egan).

"We're missing a few big characters around the place but the younger boys are their own characters in their own ways. I don't look at them as young lads anymore, they're very experienced around the place now.

"It is an enjoyable group, I've really enjoyed the week and just looking forward to the game."

WATCH THE FULL MD-1 PRESS CONFERENCE HERE

Match Facts - Republic of Ireland v Greece - Provided by StatsPerform

- Republic of Ireland have never beaten Greece in four previous meetings (D1 L3), losing 2-1 in the reverse Euro 2024 qualifier in June in Athens.
- Greece have won both of their previous two away matches at the Republic of Ireland, both 1-0 wins in friendlies in April 2000 and November 2012.
- Greece have won six of their last eight European Championship qualifiers (L2), including a 5-0 win over Gibraltar in September, their biggest win in a Euros qualifier since November 2007, a 5-0 win against Malta.
- Greece have lost their last two competitive away matches, after only losing two of their previous 12 (W7 D3 L2). They haven’t lost three competitive away games in a row since September 2001.
- Adam Idah has scored in each of the Republic of Ireland’s last two home European Championship qualifiers. This century, the only Eire player to net in three home Euro qualifying appearances in a row is Robbie Keane in March 2011.
- Greece’s Giorgos Masouras has four goals in five Euro 2024 qualifying appearances, netting those goals from just six shots on target. He also netted the winner against the Republic of Ireland in June.

Republic of Ireland Squad - Greece/Gibraltar

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Stoke City, on loan from AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Mark Sykes (Bristol City).
Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Mikey Johnston (Celtic).

Fixtures - UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifiers

13/10 - Republic of Ireland v Greece, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
16/10 - Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland, Estádio Algarve, 7.45pm (Irish Time)

Tactical Lineups

Republic of Ireland

1 Bazunu (G) 2 Doherty 4 Duffy (C) 6 Cullen 8 Browne 9 Ferguson 11 Smallbone 15 Scales 17 Knight 20 Ogbene 22 Collins

Coach

Stephen Kenny

Greece

1 Vlachodimos (G) 2 Retsos 4 Mavropanos 6 Kourbelis 7 Masouras 10 Pelkas 11 Bakasetas (C) 15 Rota 19 Giakoumakis 20 Mantalos 21 Tsimikas

Substitutes

  • 12 Alexandros Paschalakis (G)
  • 13 Sokratis Dioudis (G)
  • 3 Konstantinos Koulierakis
  • 5 Andreas Bouchalakis
  • 8 Fotis Ioannidis
  • 9 Vangelis Pavlidis
  • 14 Taxiarchis Fountas
  • 16 Tasos Chatzigiovanis
  • 17 Sotiris Alexandropoulos
  • 18 Manolis Saliakas
  • 22 Dimitris Giannoulis
  • 23 Manolis Siopis

Coach

Gustavo Poyet

Officials

  • Referee Glenn Nyberg
  • Assistant Referees Mahbod Beigi
  • UEFA Delegate Charles Schaack
  • Assistant Referee Two Andreas Söderqvist
  • Fourth Official Adam Ladebäck
  • Assistant Video Assistant Referee Bartosz Frankowski
  • Video Assistant Referee Tomasz Kwiatkowski
  • Referee Observer Manuel Diaz Vega

Minute by Minute Commentary

  • 1" The match is under way.
  • 1" Petros Mantalos (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
  • 1" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 4" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 4" Odysseas Vlachodimos (Greece) blocks a shot.
  • 4" Liam Scales (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 5" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 5" Dimitris Pelkas (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland).
  • 6" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 9" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 9" Nathan Collins (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 10" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 10" Petros Mantalos (Greece) has a shot blocked.
  • 10" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Petros Mantalos (Greece).
  • 10" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 11" Konstantinos Mavropanos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 14" Panagiotis Retsos (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland).
  • 15" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 17" Tasos Bakasetas (Greece) has an effort on goal.
  • 17" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 19" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
  • 19" Panagiotis Retsos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 20" Kostas Tsimikas (Greece) assists.
  • 20" Giorgos Giakoumakis (Greece) scores!
  • 22" Kostas Tsimikas (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland).
  • 23" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 23" Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 23" Lazaros Rota (Greece) blocks a shot.
  • 23" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 28" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 32" Liam Scales (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on @@player2 (@@team2).
  • 32" Konstantinos Mavropanos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 33" Tasos Bakasetas (Greece) has an effort on goal.
  • 33" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 34" Giorgos Masouras (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
  • 35" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 35" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Konstantinos Mavropanos (Greece).
  • 37" Odysseas Vlachodimos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 37" Dimitris Pelkas (Greece) has an effort on goal.
  • 37" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 38" Tasos Bakasetas (Greece) takes the corner.
  • 38" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Tasos Bakasetas (Greece).
  • 39" Tasos Bakasetas (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 39" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Lazaros Rota (Greece).
  • 40" Petros Mantalos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 40" Tasos Bakasetas (Greece) misses the target.
  • 42" Lazaros Rota (Greece) blocks a shot.
  • 42" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 42" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 45" Giorgos Giakoumakis (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland).
  • 45" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 45+1" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 45+1" Odysseas Vlachodimos (Greece) blocks a shot.
  • 45+3" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 45+4" Dimitris Pelkas (Greece) assists.
  • 45+4" Giorgos Masouras (Greece) scores!
  • 45+5" The referee blows for half-time.
  • 46" The second half begins.
  • 46" Ryan Manning (in) - Nathan Collins (out) (@@teamID)
  • 51" Giorgos Masouras (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
  • 51" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 53" Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 53" Dimitris Pelkas (Greece) has a shot blocked.
  • 53" Tasos Bakasetas (Greece) takes the corner.
  • 53" Giorgos Giakoumakis (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland).
  • 54" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 56" Dimitris Pelkas (Greece) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 56" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 56" Dimitris Pelkas (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland).
  • 57" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 58" Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Lazaros Rota (Greece).
  • 58" Odysseas Vlachodimos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 60" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 63" Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
  • 63" Odysseas Vlachodimos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 63" Giorgos Giakoumakis (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
  • 64" Andreas Bouchalakis (in) - Dimitris Kourbelis (out) (@@teamID)
  • 64" Tasos Chatzigiovanis (in) - Dimitris Pelkas (out) (@@teamID)
  • 64" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 66" Tasos Chatzigiovanis (Greece) is flagged for offside.
  • 66" Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 67" Liam Scales (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 67" Tasos Chatzigiovanis (Greece) has a shot blocked.
  • 68" Tasos Bakasetas (Greece) takes the corner.
  • 68" Panagiotis Retsos (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland).
  • 69" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 70" Fotis Ioannidis (in) - Giorgos Giakoumakis (out) (@@teamID)
  • 70" Callum Robinson (in) - William Smallbone (out) (@@teamID)
  • 70" Mikey Johnston (in) - Alan Browne (out) (@@teamID)
  • 72" Konstantinos Mavropanos (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland).
  • 72" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 73" Panagiotis Retsos (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland).
  • 73" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 73" Liam Scales (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Fotis Ioannidis (Greece).
  • 73" Konstantinos Mavropanos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 74" Fotis Ioannidis (Greece) misses the target.
  • 75" Andreas Bouchalakis (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland).
  • 75" Andreas Bouchalakis (Greece) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 76" Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 76" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 76" Odysseas Vlachodimos (Greece) blocks a shot.
  • 77" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 81" Petros Mantalos (Greece) takes the corner.
  • 81" Petros Mantalos (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland).
  • 81" Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 82" Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 82" Giorgos Masouras (Greece) blocks a shot.
  • 82" Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 82" Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 82" Lazaros Rota (Greece) blocks a shot.
  • 83" Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 83" Odysseas Vlachodimos (Greece) blocks a shot.
  • 83" Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 83" Callum Robinson (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 84" Lazaros Rota (Greece) is penalised for a foul on Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland).
  • 84" Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 85" Adam Idah (in) - Chiedozie Ogbene (out) (@@teamID)
  • 87" Manolis Siopis (in) - Tasos Bakasetas (out) (@@teamID)
  • 87" Konstantinos Koulierakis (in) - Giorgos Masouras (out) (@@teamID)
  • 90+4" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 90+5" Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Tasos Chatzigiovanis (Greece).
  • 90+5" Petros Mantalos (Greece) takes the free-kick.
  • 90+6" Liam Scales (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Fotis Ioannidis (Greece).
  • 90+6" The final whistle is blown.
  • 90+6" Petros Mantalos (Greece) takes the free-kick.

Match Statistics

  • Republic of Ireland
  • Greece

Corners Won

6 4

Shots on Target

4 5

Shots off Target

9 2

Fouls Committed

9 16
  • Republic of Ireland

    Greece

  • 0Goals2
  • 1Yellow Card(s)2
  • 0Red Card(s)0
  • 4Shots on Goal5
  • 9Shots Wide2
  • 4Shot(s) Blocked3
  • 6Save(s)8
  • 17Total Shots10
  • 9Fouls Committed16
  • 6Corner(s)4
  • 2Offside(s)1