Greece captain Tasos Bakasetas gives hosts deserved lead
Petros Mantalos pounces on Caoimhin Kelleher error to score Greece's second
Greece have now beaten the Republic of Ireland four times in the past 16 months
HT: Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Richie Sadlier
Former Republic of Ireland striker on RTE Sport
I think that first half showed just why it would be so difficult tonight to come away with a result. If we do get a result it will be built mainly, if not completely, on a defensively dogged display.
HT: Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland Under-21s were on the wrong end of late drama in their Euro 2025 qualifier in Cork on Friday night as Norway snatched a 1-1 draw with a controversial last-gasp equaliser.
Sean Roughan's 75th-minute goal seemed to have earned the Irish a victory which would have guaranteed them at least a play-off as they chase the country's first qualification for a European Under-21 Championship finals.
However, Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup levelled in the final seconds of injury time after his team-mate Sindre Walle Egeli clearly pulled the jersey of home defender Anselmo Garcia MacNulty in the build-up.
A home victory would have ended Norway's qualification hopes going into Tuesday's final round of fixtures when Jim Crawford's side face Group A leaders Italy in Trieste.
Instead, Norway remain very much in the qualification picture as they prepare for a home contest with out-of-contention Turkey.
Italy lead the Irish by three points, with Norway two behind Crawford's side.
Image source, InphoGreece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
And breathe.
Despite a high intensity first half, it is goalless at the break in Athens.
The Republic of Ireland will be happy with that scoreline given the serious pressure they have been under, with Caoimhin Kelleher forced into a number of saves by Greece.
The Republic have looked dangerous on their rare forays forward though, with Evan Ferguson missing a good early chance.
All to play for in the second half, but the Irish will welcome the break after a frantic 45 minutes.
Image source, InphoGreece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Robbie Brady delivers a deep free-kick into the box which is an easy take for Odysseas Vlachadimos in the final action of the half.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE
It's the 44th minute of the game and it has absolutely flown by.
Predominately it's been Greece with the better opportunities but the Republic of Ireland on the counter attack have had one or two very promising attacks.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
After a delay to the taking of a corner due to some lasers being pointed at Robbie Brady, he delivers a deep delivery, which Nathan Collins manages to keep in play, but he can't direct a header goalwards.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Chiedozie Ogbene wins a corner for the Republic of Ireland to relieve some pressure.
Josh Cullen picks the Ipswich winger out after some neat passing from the Irish and he races past Ntinos Mavrapanos before seeing his low shot blocked behind for a corner.
That shows the threat Ogbene can carry on the counter attack if the Republic can get the ball to him.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
A rare foray into the Greek half for the Republic of Ireland as they go route one. Troy Parrott flicks the ball into the path of Sammie Szmodics after getting on the end of a long ball, but just as the Ipswich man shaped to shoot with space opening up for him, Lazaros Rota raced across to clear.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Food for thought for Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson after a frenzied 35 minutes in Athens.
Image source, InphoGreece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI
The Irish defence did not face this kind of intense pressure against Finland the other night, that's for sure.
They have Caoimhin Kelleher to thank for the game remaining goalless. The Liverpool keeper has been hugely impressive so far.
After a bright start from the visitors, they're really struggling to get a handle on their high-octane hosts.
Image source, InphoGreece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE
What the Republic of Ireland will be really happy with is that it's 30 minutes in and still 0-0. For all the play and intensity from this Greek side, they haven't broken them down in terms of goals.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Caoimhin Kelleher is called into action once again, stopping Dimitris Giannoulis' effort from a narrow angle with his foot after Christos Tzolis had fed the marauding Augsburg man.
The Republic of Ireland have now been able to enjoy a sustained and much needed period of possession.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
A well observed minute's silence as Greece and the Republic of Ireland paid their respects to George Baldock this evening before kick-off.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesGreece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE
You have just got to dig in at the moment. This is a real tough time for the Republic of Ireland side, they just have to stay strong and make sure you are very disciplined.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
That man Christos Tzolis causes problems for the Republic again, finding Vangelis Pavlidis with a delightful backheel, but his strike deflects behind for a corner.
The Republic are under the cosh, but are getting their bodies in the way to prevent Greece from opening the deadlock.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE
Tasos Bakasetas has picked up some great positions and he gets in behind Robbie Brady and lovely bit of skill to get away from Liam Scales and it's saved by the right boot of Caoimhin Kelleher. From the follow-up, Vangelis Pavlidis, you'd expect him to score with the form he is in.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Sammie Szmodics was every Republic of Ireland fan when Evan Ferguson's effort went wide.
How costly could that miss prove as Greece continue to pile on the pressure?
Image source, Getty ImagesGreece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE
The noise in the stadium is absolutely electric and just about the whole stadium is full with supporters.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Caoimhin Kelleher comes to the Republic of Ireland's rescue with a good double save.
Captain Tasos Bakasetas comes in from the right flank and dances past Liam Scales before seeing his strike beaten away by Kelleher.
The ball then falls for Vangelis Pavilidis, but Kelleher reacts well to smother his effort.
It's one way traffic for the Republic, who are struggling to keep the ball.
Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Giorgos Masouras should do better for Greece there as he gets to the ball before Robbie Brady, but heads wide.
Christos Tzolis, who has caught the eye so far with his darting runs from midfield, whipped in a delightful deep cross for Masouras, who glanced off target after stealing in at the back post.
It's been a good spell for Greece, the Republic need to weather this storm.
Tasos Bakasetas held out a black armband in tribute to George Baldock after scoring Greece's opener
The Republic of Ireland suffered a third defeat in four games under manager Heimir Hallgrimsson as Greece ran out deserved winners in Sunday's Nations League Group B2 tussle in Athens.
Having returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion against Finland on Thursday, the Republic of Ireland were humbled as Greece captain Tasos Bakasetas struck early in the second half before Petros Mantalos pounced on a Caoimhin Kelleher mistake to wrap up the home side's win late on.
It was a disappointing end to the night for Kelleher, who had been outstanding for the visitors, making a string of saves to shut out the dominant hosts in the first half.
While Greece remain three points clear of England, who beat strugglers Finland earlier on Sunday, a third loss leaves the Irish in third place and facing the prospect of a relegation play-off with two games left.
The Greeks host England and travel to Finland next month while the Republic of Ireland welcome the Finns to Dublin before finishing with a trip to Wembley.
Buoyed by a much-needed win in Helsinki on Thursday, the Republic of Ireland started brightly and could have been ahead inside four minutes.
However, after a mix-up in the Greek defence as they tried to clear their lines, Evan Ferguson fired wide from the edge of the area while being challenged by Lazaros Rota.
From there, though, the visitors retreated in the face of sustained pressure from Greece, who played with great courage and endeavour in an emotionally charged first home game since the death of their defender George Baldock, for whom a minute's silence was observed prior to kick-off.
Indeed, the Greeks would have had the result wrapped up before half-time had it not been for Kelleher.
First, the Liverpool goalkeeper kept out Giorgos Masouras' volley at his near post before thwarting Bakasetas after the Greece captain breezed past Liam Scales on the edge of the Irish box.
With the Republic of Ireland unable to find joy on the counter-attack, Greece continued to press for an opener with Kelleher again standing firm to turn away Dimitrios Giannoulis' shot with his foot after the left-back was picked out by Christos Tzolis.
Republic of Ireland debutant Jack Taylor was twice denied an equaliser
In Helsinki on Thursday, the Republic of Ireland scored inside the first 15 minutes of the second half to draw level before going on to win.
This time they fell behind three minutes after the interval as Bakasetas struck.
The home side's skipper benefited as his right-footed shot spun off Scales and went past Kelleher, prompting a huge roar from the raucous crowd.
Given the emotions they have grappled with and the huge effort it took to beat England at Wembley on Thursday, it perhaps wasn't surprising that Greece's intensity waned as the second half wore on.
And their fatigue coupled with the introduction of Festy Ebosele and Jack Taylor offered the Republic of Ireland fresh impetus, with Taylor denied a debut goal when his header was flicked over by Odisseas Vlachodimos.
The Republic of Ireland's only other clear opening also fell to Taylor but the Ipswich midfielder was unable to trouble the Greek keeper after a Robbie Brady corner reached him.
Then the away side's hopes of rescuing a point late on were shattered by Kelleher's lapse in concentration, with the 25-year-old passing straight to Greece substitute Mantalos, who rounded the keeper and fired into the unguarded Irish goal.
It was another soft goal from an Irish perspective after captain Nathan Collins gifted Finland an opener on Thursday.
But unlike in Helsinki, there would be no way back for Hallgrimsson's men, who were left to reflect on a fourth defeat by Greece in the space of 16 months.
Greece, meanwhile, have boosted their bid for promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, their players holding up a shirt bearing Baldock's name at full-time on another night when they battled through emotion to deliver three points.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | Israel | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| |
| 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 2 |
| |
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | Estonia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Azerbaijan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| |
| 2 | Kosovo | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Cyprus | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Lithuania | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belarus | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
|
| 2 | Bulgaria | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
|
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | Luxembourg | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 10 |
| |
| 2 | Armenia | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 4 |
|
| 3 | Latvia | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Faroe Islands | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gibraltar | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
|
| 2 | San Marino | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
|
| 3 | Liechtenstein | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moldova | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
|
| 2 | Malta | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Andorra | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| |
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| |
| 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | -8 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| |
| 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | Montenegro | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
Manager: Ivan Jovanovic
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Heimir Hallgrímsson
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Manager: Ivan Jovanovic
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Heimir Hallgrímsson
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
UEFA Nations League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Greece are unbeaten in their six previous games against the Republic of Ireland, keeping five clean sheets across those matches (W5 D1).
Republic of Ireland are winless in their six previous meetings with Greece (D1 L5), losing the last four in a row – only against Italy have the Boys in Green ever lost more consecutive games (6 between 1926 and 1992).
Greece have lost just one of their last 12 home matches across all competitions (W8 D3) and are unbeaten in each of their last four on home soil (W3 D1) since a 0-1 defeat to Netherlands in a European Championship qualifier in October 2023.
Republic of Ireland won their first ever UEFA Nations League away match last time out (2-1 v Finland) and are looking to win back-to-back matches on the road across all competitions for the first time since November 2021 when they recorded wins against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
Greece have won each of their last four matches, keeping a clean sheet in three of those, and could make it five wins on the trot across all competitions for the first time since October 2016.
Republic of Ireland have won just four of their last 14 competitive matches, losing nine and drawing the other. They did however win last time out (2-1 v Finland) and are looking to win consecutive competitive matches for the first time since March 2019 when they beat Gibraltar and Georgia, both by a 1-0 scoreline.
Anastasios Bakasetas has been directly involved in 44% of all of Greece’s goals in the UEFA Nations League (12/27), scoring five and providing seven assists in his 20 matches. He has provided four assists in his last four appearances in the competition.
Robbie Brady has been directly involved in more goals for the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League than any other player (5 – 2 goals, 3 assists), with Brady both scoring and providing an assist in the Boys in Green’s last match in the competition (2-1 v Finland).
