Summary

  • Group B: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

  • Nathan Collins cancelled out Tasos Bakasetas' opener

  • Giorgos Masouras hit second-half winner

  • Matt Doherty was sent off in injury-time

  1. The final whistlepublished at 22:23 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    That's all for tonight, folks.

    It was a disappointing night for Stephen Kenny and the Republic of Ireland, and you can read Matt Gault's report on the game here.

    The Republic are back in action on Monday at home to Gibraltar. Surely that has to be three points.

    See you then!

    Adam IdahImage source, Inpho
  2. 'We wanted it to be better'published at 22:22 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Stephen Kenny, speaking to RTE: "We committed the cardinal sin of giving that goal away four minutes into the half. We got punished for poor defending there. We shouldn't have been done in the manner that we did.

    "Greece are a good team and they played well. We had chances to equalise but overall on the night they were better. We've made it hard for ourselves but all we can do it get ready for Monday. We have to focus and get back to winning ways.

    "Criticism is part of it and I have to accept it tonight. We wanted it to be better than it was tonight. At the same time, we were tight in the game at the end and had chances to equalise. We never gave up and kept going but they had more control than us on the night, for sure."

  3. 'We let ourselves down'published at 22:18 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, speaking to RTE: "We're disappointed with the performance. We're still well in the game for all of it but we just let ourselves down with the defending for the two goals. That is a disappointing aspect.

    "In the first-half Greece were better than us. They had more control in the game and they hurt us with the big switches from right to left and left to right. We overcompensated to give ourselves too much to do and too much ground to make up.

    "It was a bit of a harsh penalty, but if you lift your hand....he didn't intent to do it but that went against us."

  4. 'We shot ourselves in the foot'published at 22:14 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Republic of Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen, speaking to RTE: "We're hurting. A tough night where we have shot ourselves in the foot. We know that as a group. Everyone is gutted in there at the minute.

    "It wasn't good enough in the key moments tonight. That is what made us lose the game. It is going to be hard [to pick it up against Gibraltar on Monday] but that is where we need to pick it up as a group.

    "We have got to stick together. It is going to hurt tonight and tomorrow but we have got to use that to fuel ourselves for Monday."

  5. Postpublished at 22:05 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    We'll hopefully hear from Republic boss Stephen Kenny shortly to hear his thoughts on that damaging defeat.

  6. Elsewherepublished at 22:03 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    It was a dramatic night around the grounds.

    In Copenhagen, debutant Callum Marshall had a last-gasp equaliser ruled out for offside as Northern Ireland fell to a 1-0 defeat in Denmark.

    England had no such worries as they breezed past Malta 4-0, thanks to Harry Kane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Callum Wilson and an own goal.

    There was chaos in Cardiff as Armenia stunned 10-man Wales 4-2. Lucas Zelarayan and Grant-Leon Mamedova both scored twice for the visitors, while Wales had Keifer Moore sent off.

    England players stand over a free-kickImage source, Getty Images
    Armenia celebrate a goalImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'It hurts a lot'published at 21:56 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, speaking to RTE: "We took too long to get into the game. We got punished early on but did well to recover it. It's a disappointing result. It was difficult for us to get a foothold in the game. It hurts a lot right now but we have a very important game coming, so we have to look forward to that. We're not making any excuses. We had a long lead-up, we worked hard and we were prepared for the game."

    On the laser shining in hi face for the penalty: "No, it wasn't affecting me at all."

    Gavin BazunuImage source, Getty Images
  8. Too many errorspublished at 21:49 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Ronnie Whelan
    Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

    We couldn't handle going down a goal early on. We've made too many individual errors all night, little passes here and there that should be just natural to any footballer.

    It's been a bad performance all round. I've seen so much better from this team.

  9. Postpublished at 21:47 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    FT: Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    That leaves the Republic of Ireland in a really difficult place after just two matches.

    Two played, two defeats.

  10. Ridiculouspublished at 21:46 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Ronnie Whelan
    Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

    It's ridiculous getting involved. Absolutely ridiculous.

  11. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:45 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    It's all over in Athens!

  12. RED CARDpublished at 21:44 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Mat Doherty is sent off for his involvement. He certainly barged into a Greek player, but it was no worse than what Kostas Tsimikas delivered in return.

    A bad end to a bad night for the Republic.

  13. Postpublished at 21:43 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    This is all rather unnecessary as there's a bit of a scuffle in the closing stages.

    That suits Greece just fine..

  14. A great savepublished at 21:43 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Ronnie Whelan
    Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

    It's a great save so late on in the game. Doherty just doesn't catch it properly. The keeper hasn't really had much to do all game.

  15. CLOSE!published at 21:42 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Matt Doherty swings a leg at it from the edge of the area.

    He caught it well enough but Odysseas Vlachodimos manages to hold it.

  16. Postpublished at 21:41 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    The Republic have won a free-kick deep in the Greek half...

  17. Postpublished at 21:39 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    We're going to have four minutes of additional time in Athens.

    Will there be late drama?

  18. YELLOW CARDpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    John Egan is booked for catching Giorgos Giakoumakis when challenging for a header.

    Meanwhile, Troy Parrott is introduced for Darragh Lenihan.

  19. Postpublished at 21:36 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Three to go...

  20. Postpublished at 21:35 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland

    Five minutes to go.