Ireland’s Kyra Carusa and Marissa Sheva. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
4 Apr
2:58PM
Ward has since said the hurt of Euro 2025 qualification failure may have been underestimated, as well as the loss of leaders through international retirement and injury.
This is a “transitional period,” she stressed, and that alarming result was “a blessing in disguise”. “This could be difficult at the start, messy in the middle and beautiful at the end, I hope,” the former Aston Villa coach said as she named her squad for Greece.
Neither side created too many chances, with defences generally on top.
Greece had a couple of decent moments on the counter-attack while rarely seriously testing Brosnan.
Ireland improved as the half developed and increasingly dominated possession and territory.
But Carla Ward’s side have rarely looked like scoring and were wasteful on the rare enough occasions they have found themselves in promising attacking positions.
After an underwhelming first half, Ireland produced a much-improved display after the break.
It was ultimately a comfortable 4-0 win for Carla Ward’s side.
The manager deserves credit for her half-time substitutions — Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva were pivotal to turning the game in Ireland’s favour.
Greece seldom threatened in the second period, having at times looked the better team in the first.
The result is a much-needed morale boost for the Irish team after their previous Nations League fixture ended in a dismal 4-0 loss to Slovenia.
With the Slovenians 3-0 up and in control against Turkey with only a few minutes to play, it looks like it will be a two-horse race between themselves and Ireland for top spot.
4 Apr
5:00PM
Here’s a look at Amber Barrett’s goal deep into second-half stoppage time…
Greece 0-4 Rep of Ireland
Amber Barrett puts the icing on the cake with goal no. 4 #COYGIG#GREIRL
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As it happened: Greece v Ireland, Nations League
Greece 0-4 Ireland
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
Ireland are hoping to get their Nations League campaign back on track after February’s disappointing 4-0 loss away to Slovenia.
Carla Ward’s side will still be favourites to win this game, as Greece are the only team in the group who have yet to pick up a point.
However, Ireland could only draw 1-1 on their last away trip to today’s opponents in 2019, so it won’t be easy.
Confirmation of the Ireland XI below, with Arsenal star Katie McCabe on the bench owing to a calf strain…
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Ward has since said the hurt of Euro 2025 qualification failure may have been underestimated, as well as the loss of leaders through international retirement and injury.
This is a “transitional period,” she stressed, and that alarming result was “a blessing in disguise”. “This could be difficult at the start, messy in the middle and beautiful at the end, I hope,” the former Aston Villa coach said as she named her squad for Greece.
Read Emma Duffy’s full match preview here.
We’re underway…
3 mins: There’s an early stoppage as Greece captain Markou collides with the advertising hoarding.
It looks like she’ll be okay to continue.
4 mins: Spiridonidou squares it to Papatheodorou.
However, the Greek striker can’t get a proper connection on her shot, and her effort is well off target.
7 mins: Greece have done well in the opening stages.
But as I type, Ireland are on the attack, yet Kiernan can’t get a clean header from a hanging cross.
Down the other end, Papatheodorou slips through Spiridonidou, but Campbell does well to make the interception.
10 mins: A Campbell long throw is half cleared and falls to Littlejohn, but the midfielder can’t find the target with her volley.
The Shamrock Rovers star has already scored one spectacular goal in the past week and hoped to do likewise there.
15 mins: Everton star Sarri takes a shot on goal from the edge of the area.
But the effort takes a slight deflection and is comfortably saved by Brosnan.
17 mins: Campbell curls in a dangerous-looking set piece.
But Patten clatters into goalkeeper Nasi as both players go for the ball, and a free kick is awarded to the hosts.
20 mins: Patten makes an important block to prevent Saich’s effort on goal.
Moments later, an audacious attempt by Papatheodorou goes a few inches wide.
23 mins: Greece are on top at the moment.
Brosnan saves Saich’s low shot from the edge of the area.
Just before that, the Irish goalkeeper did well to cut out a low cross with Papatheodorou lurking.
27 mins: Campbell blazes a free kick over the bar from about 30 yards out.
Ireland have barely threatened the hosts so far.
31 mins: Greece continue to play the better football.
Ireland have been sub-par in possession, giving the ball away cheaply too often.
33 mins: Sarri goes on a purposeful run before her shot flies narrowly over the bar.
It remains a tight contest with not much between the sides.
36 mins: Campbell delivers an inviting cross.
But goalkeeper Nasi does well to claim it under pressure from Carusa and Kiernan.
A landmark appearance today for Denise O’Sullivan…
39 mins: Carusa puts in a dangerous cross.
It falls to Littlejohn, who can’t keep her effort down.
Ireland have been better in recent minutes.
HALF-TIME: GREECE 0-0 IRELAND
So that’s the first 45 minutes done.
It was scrappy.
Neither side created too many chances, with defences generally on top.
Greece had a couple of decent moments on the counter-attack while rarely seriously testing Brosnan.
Ireland improved as the half developed and increasingly dominated possession and territory.
But Carla Ward’s side have rarely looked like scoring and were wasteful on the rare enough occasions they have found themselves in promising attacking positions.
Ireland are making two changes for the second half.
McCabe and Sheva are on, Campbell and Toland go off.
Presumably the Arsenal star will slot in at left-back.
The second half has begun…
47 mins: McCabe tries to make a swift impact.
The Arsenal star’s curled effort from a free kick hits the roof of the net.
GREECE 0-1 IRELAND (SHEVA 49)
Out of nothing, Ireland are ahead.
Sheva has a pop from the edge of the area, and her low shot finds the net via a wicked deflection off Greece’s captain Markou.
That’s her second goal at international level, and while it’s a somewhat fortuitous one, Ireland won’t be complaining.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
54 mins: There’s been a booking issued towards the Irish bench.
It’s seemingly given to assistant boss Alan Mahon for dissent.
57 mins: Greece make a double change.
Ntarzanou and Gouni are off, with Gkatsou and Paterna replacing them.
Both Ntarzanou and McCabe had just been booked for shoving each other.
59 mins: The changes have improved Ireland.
Nasi has just unconvincingly parried away a hanging McCabe corner.
GREECE 0-2 IRELAND (CARUSA 61)
McCabe curls a brilliant ball to the far post that finds Kiernan.
The Liverpool star’s low volley is saved, but Carusa is on hand to convert the rebound.
That’s Kiernan’s last act as she’s replaced by Abbie Larkin.
Here’s a look at Ireland’s second goal…
In the other game in Ireland’s group, Slovenia are 2-0 up against Turkey at half-time.
Ireland definitely face a real battle for the top spot.
72 mins: More changes for Greece.
Kakabouki and Kongouli replace Moraitou and Spiridonidou.
GREECE 0-3 IRELAND (STAPLETON 74)
What an impact by McCabe as she registers another assist.
The full-back’s corner finds the head of Stapleton, whose superb glancing header finds the back of the net despite an awkward angle.
77 mins: One more Greece change.
Skipper Markou is replaced by Chamalidou.
Here’s how the third goal looked…
79 mins: Goalscorer Carusa can be happy with her day’s work as she departs the action.
The striker is replaced by Amber Barrett, who scored away to Greece in that 2019 fixture and who is making a landmark 50th appearance.
85 mins: Ireland make another change.
Emily Murphy replaces Lucy Quinn.
90 mins: Ireland are enjoying themselves in the sunshine now.
O’Sullivan’s curled effort from the edge of the area forces Nasi into a decent save.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time.
RTÉ co-commentator Méabh De Búrca has named Jessie Stapleton as player of the match.
Katie McCabe is a strong contender in my opinion, despite only playing the second half.
GREECE 0-4 IRELAND (BARRETT 90)
Barrett shows impressive pace to burst into the area and fire it into the far corner.
That’s her eighth international goal on her 50th cap.
FULL-TIME: GREECE 0-4 IRELAND
So that’s that.
After an underwhelming first half, Ireland produced a much-improved display after the break.
It was ultimately a comfortable 4-0 win for Carla Ward’s side.
The manager deserves credit for her half-time substitutions — Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva were pivotal to turning the game in Ireland’s favour.
Greece seldom threatened in the second period, having at times looked the better team in the first.
The result is a much-needed morale boost for the Irish team after their previous Nations League fixture ended in a dismal 4-0 loss to Slovenia.
With the Slovenians 3-0 up and in control against Turkey with only a few minutes to play, it looks like it will be a two-horse race between themselves and Ireland for top spot.
Here’s a look at Amber Barrett’s goal deep into second-half stoppage time…
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have more reaction to come on the site shortly.
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