The Republic of Ireland was defeated by Greece in their second UEFA Nations League Group B match at the Aviva Stadium as second-half goals from Ioannidis and Tzolis earned the away side the three points.

Three changes were made by Heimir Hallgrímsson to the team that was defeated by England on Saturday as Alan Browne, Jason Knight, and Andrew Omobamidele came into the starting XI.

Greece went close to opening the scoring in the 11th minute when Koulierakis latched onto a Chatzigiovanis corner as the Greek defender narrowly missed the target at the near post. Ireland had their first sight on goal of note ten minutes later when some excellent work down the right saw Alan Browne’s effort blocked as he bore down on goal with Vlachodimos gathering the loose ball.

Caoimhin Kelleher made an excellent diving save to stop Bakasetas’ goal-bound free kick as he pushed the ball around the post for a corner. Szmodics did try his luck from a distance as he hit a speculative lob over Vlachodimos with the Greek keeper well off his line, but the ball sailed over the bar. Szmodics would go closer still in the 37th minute with his shot from the edge of the area just dragging wide of the Greek goal.

Ogbene's incredibly well-placed goal to the upper right corner was ruled out for Ireland as he was deemed to have been in an offside position in the opening phase of that attack. This was followed up in another Irish attack where Ogbene’s layoff was met by Alan Browne whose effort went over the bar.

Greece were to open the scoring in the 50th minute when Fotis Ioannidis latched onto a Bakasetas pass from the right and he struck a high curling effort past Kelleher. Ireland had a chance to respond with a cross from the right that was met by Jason Knight at the back post, but his effort missed the target.

Both Bakasetas and Tzolis went close for the visitors to add to their scoreline with attempts on Kelleher’s goal both just missing the target. Callum Robinson almost made an immediate impact from the bench in the closing stages as he hit an excellent curling effort that just missed the inside of the Greek goal by inches.

In the 86th minute, Greece were to add a second as Tzolis broke free of the attentions of Nathan Collins on the edge of the area and struck a low effort past Kelleher to seal the tie.

Ireland play their next Nations League games in October where they will face both Finland and Greece away from home.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher, O'Shea, Omobamidele (Doherty 74), Browne, Smallbone, Brady, Molumby (Ferguson 63), Knight (McAteer 74), Ogbene (Robinson 84), Szmodics (Idah 84), Collins ©.

Subs not used: O'Leary (GK), Travers (GK), O'Dowda, O'Brien, Ebosele, Scales, Parrott.

Greece: Vlachodimos (GK), Koulierakis, Mavropanos, Bouchalakis (Pelkas 67), Tzolis (Vagiannidis 88), Ioannidis (Pavlidis 87), Bakasetas, Rota, Chatzigiovanis (Zafeiris 67), Tsimikas, Siopis (Ntoi 87)

Subs not used: Tzolakis (GK), Mandas (GK), Douvikas, Hatzidiakos, Konstantelias, Mantalos, Giannoulis.

Booked: Omobamidele (Ire), Tsimikas (Gre), Tzolis (Gre), Knight (Ire), Siopis (Gre)

Sent Off: None

Referee: Espen Eskås NOR

Sky Player of the Match: Will Smallbone

Attendance: 37,274