The Republic of Ireland’s automatic qualification hopes for Euro 2024 have been dashed after a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to Greece.
Despite the possibility of still making it to next summer’s tournament via the play-offs, their poor Nations League ranking makes it highly unlikely.
This loss leaves Ireland languishing in second-bottom position in Group B, with their only victory in six qualifying games coming against minnows Gibraltar.
The result puts more pressure on beleaguered boss Stephen Kenny, who has struggled to find form throughout the campaign.
The game started positively for Ireland as Evan Ferguson, who missed last month’s fixtures due to a knee injury, struck the post in the fifth minute.
However, the visitors took the lead in the 20th minute through ex-Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, who headed in Liverpool defender Konstantinos Tsimikas’ fine cross.
Greece went on to score their second goal in first-half stoppage time as Georgios Masouras finished low past goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
Despite a bright start, Ireland’s fifth defeat of the qualification campaign came as a blow to their Euro 2024 hopes.
The team struggled to make an impact in the second half, with Gus Poyet’s Greece side holding on to move second in Group B above the Netherlands, who were defeated 2-1 at home by France after a Kylian Mbappe double.
The chances of Ireland making it to Euro 2024 were effectively ended last month when they were beaten by Group B rivals France and the Netherlands.
The game against Greece offered the opportunity for Ireland to finish the campaign strongly, but the team failed to deliver.
Ireland were missing star striker Ferguson for September’s qualifiers, but he was restored to the starting line-up on Friday night in a huge boost for Kenny.
The Brighton teenager nearly had the desired impact as he struck the post with a left-footed curling shot from outside the box, a minute after Will Smallbone forced a save from Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Despite Ireland’s positive start, they found themselves behind with 20 minutes gone when Tsimikas crossed nicely for the unmarked Giakoumakis to head powerfully past Bazunu.
The Ireland goalkeeper was alert 17 minutes later to deny Dimitris Pelkas’ shot inside the box after he received a clever reverse pass from Giakoumakis.
However, Greece made it 2-0 in the fourth minute of stoppage time through Masouras as he pounced on a Pelkas mis-hit from Giakoumakis’ cross.
This damaging blow just seconds before the half-time whistle killed any hope of an Ireland comeback as Kenny’s side laboured in the second half.
Matt Doherty had their best chance in the 83rd minute as he drew a decent save from Vlachodimos with a header at the back post.
However, it was not enough to change the final result.
The full-time whistle was met with some boos as Ireland face bottom side Gibraltar in Faro on Monday with Kenny’s future as boss under serious pressure.
