Greece defeated the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Athens as second-half goals from Bakasetas and Mantalos sealed the victory in Ireland's fourth group game of the UEFA Nations League. 

It was an emotional night in the Greek capital with the home side paying tribute to George Baldock who passed away recently. Heimir Hallgrímsson made one change to the side that defeated Finland midweek. Troy Parrott came into the starting line-up for Finn Azaz with Jack Taylor coming on in the second half to make his full Irish debut.

Ireland had the first goal opportunity in the third minute as a short back pass saw the ball fall into the path of Evan Ferguson who tried to hook the ball over Vlachodimos but contact with a Greek defender made him shoot off-balance. The home side's first attack came in the seventh minute when a strike on the edge of the area from Bakasetas saw the Greek captain’s effort take a deflection off Scales that sent the ball wide for a corner.

In the 10th minute, Caoimhin Kelleher produced a fantastic near-post save as Masouras met a pacy cross from Pavlidis that forced an excellent stop from the Irish keeper. Masouras was to have two further shots blocked down minutes later as the Irish defence had to put their bodies on the line with Greece upping the attacking tempo.

Kelleher made a fantastic double stop in the 19th minute first to deny Bakasetas with his feet with the second ball falling to Pavlidis whose follow-up effort was smothered from close range. Ireland continued to deny Greece at every turn with both Collins and Kelleher both denying Siopis.

Greece was to finally breach the Irish defence in the 48th minute with the build-up from the right saw Tzolis and Bakasetas linking up on the edge of the area as the Greek forward applied the finish with a powerful effort that took a deflection towards the goal. Ireland had a good opportunity to level terms in the 55th minute as a Robbie Brady corner forced Vlachodimos to punch the ball clear at the back post under pressure.

That attempt saw a good period of Irish attacking pressure with second-half replacements Ebosele and Irish debutant Taylor making an impact on the Irish attacking phases. Bakasetas almost added a second for the home side from a set piece that deceived the Irish defence with its direction but the strike went wide of the near post.

Vlachodimos was to produce an excellent save from a Taylor effort to deny an Irish equaliser in the 69th minute as Cullen’s cross into the Greek area was met by the Irish midfielder with his goalbound effort having to be tipped over the bar. This was followed by a chance by Troy Parrott whose headed effort in the 75th minute going wide of the mark.

Ireland had a final chance to level the tie in the 86th minute from a set piece as Brady’s corner was initially met by Collins with the second ball landing to Taylor who struck the ball on the volley but it was blocked on the line. 

Greece were to add a second goal in added-on time as Kelleher's pass to his defence was intercepted by Mantolas who rounded the Irish keeper on the edge of the area to slot the ball home to give the home side the three points.

Ireland will finish their Nations League campaign with a home tie and an away tie to Finland and England respectively. 

Greece: Vlachodimos (GK), Mavropanos, Kourbelis (Tsimikas 82), Masouras (Pelkas 65), Tzolis (Mantalos 82), Bakasetas © (Zafeiris 70), Pavlidis (Douvikas 70), Rota, Hatzidiakos, Giannoulis, Siopis.

Subs not used: Tzolakis (GK), Mandas (GK), Vagiannidis, Ntoi, Retsos, Chatzigiovanis, Konstantelias, Tsimikas

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK), Scales, O'Shea (McAteer 82), Cullen, Szmodics (Johnston 71), Ferguson (Taylor 57), Brady, Knight (Molumby 71), Parrott, Ogbene (Ebosele 57), Collins ©.

Subs not used: O'Leary (GK), Travers (GK), Omobamidele, Idah, Azaz, McGrath

Booked: Giannoulis (GRE), Kourbelis (GRE)

Sent off: None

Sky Player of the Match: Caoimhin Kelleher