Ronnie Whelan
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

I'll tell you what, the linesman didn't know what to give. He kept looking at the referee, he wouldn't put his flag up. Eventually he did.

Great finish! They did pick it up after Greece had scored. Magnificent set piece.

There's no surprise to see the Republic draw level from a set play. It's been a real strength and they've profited again.

NATHAN COL....NOOOO!

Smallbone plays in a brilliant corner. It's flicked on by Evan Ferguson and Collins arrives to fire the ball home from close range.

The flag goes up for offside and it's disallowed, but we're going to VAR to check.

It looked pretty tight.

Ronnie Whelan
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

So much better! Better passing, ends up with Doherty down the right hand side, gets a good cross in. This was close, this nearly went in.

Pantelis Chatziiakos almost turns one into his own net from Matt Doherty's low cross. He puffs his cheeks after it flew into the side netting.

The Irish have a corner.

Vangelis Pavlidis has just been hit in a pretty sore place by an Irish clearance. No prizes for guessing where.

A quick stoppage to check he's alright and we're back under way.

Image source, Inpho

It's a big day for Sheffield United, with a defender on each side in this qualifier.

John Egan is captaining the visitors, and his Blades team-mate George Baldock (yes, really) is playing at right back for the hosts.

Baldock is eligible for Greece through his grandmother and made his debut last year.

Ronnie Whelan
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

When you come to places like this where a loud crowd get behind the players, you don't want to be under pressure the way Ireland were for the first ten minutes. They were under pressure from the start. Something had to give. Now Ireland are in a big game indeed.

At the other end, O'Dowda charged forward and played in a brilliant ball to try and find Will Smallbone's brilliant run.

Mavropanos managed to stretch out a leg to get a crucial intervention. That's much better.

You have to say that Greece deserve that after the opening 15 minutes. They've been well on top.

Bakasetas fired the penalty straight down the middle. Bazunu had no chance.

How will Ireland respond?

Okay, it's actually for a handball on Calum O'Dowda, who did have his hand up when the cross was played in. It came in the aftermath of the Bazunu save, hence the confusion.

VAR GIVES THE PENALTY!

Ronnie Whelan
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

The Greeks are spreading the pitch really, really wide. Baldock on the right, Tsimikas out on this left, but they're really stretching Ireland at the minute.

Gus Poyet is looking as puzzled as anyone and is shrugging his shoulder.

No-one seems to know what is going on here.

Video Assistant Refereepublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

20:00 BST 16 June 2023

Greece 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Okay, we're having a VAR check on that one...

It's taking some time.

Bazunu pulls off another big intervention to deny Giorgos Masouras.

The Greek winger took a touch in the area and tried to round the keeper, but Bazunu made himself big and took ball and all.

The home fans call for a penalty but there's not a hope of them getting one.

The Irish just can't clear their lines. It's all Greece at the minute and they are zipping it about on the wet surface.

Ronnie Whelan
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

Severe pressure coming on from the Greeks. Can we be strong enough to hold out? Can we keep a clean sheet? Bazunu will help with them saves.

And another!

Tasos Bakasetas hits one off the soaking Athens turf and Bazunu does well to push it over the top.

It's been all Greece since that early pressure.