Full Time: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Greece
Just days after thrashing this evening’s opponents 4-0 on their own turf, Ireland looked to bag their third win of the campaign.
An earlier win for Slovenia meant that they couldn’t match the group frontrunners on points, but they could close the gap presented by their earlier campaign loss. However, they couldn't seize the opportunity to do so.
The Girls in Green entered the game lighter than usual, missing Katie McCabe through suspension, Kyra Carusa through injury, and in the most unusual case, Heather Payne was ruled out due to an administrative error.
Despite that, they started quickly and on the front foot. It took just 10 minutes to grab an opener after Leanne Kiernan was clattered at the edge of the box to win a penalty. Up stepped Amber Barrett, who dispatched it into the bottom corner to net her 9th goal in a green jersey.
Ireland 1-0 Greece: Amber Barrett gives Ireland the perfect start as she opens the scoring from the penalty spot.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 8, 2025
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While Ireland held the advantage, neither side looked overly threatening after the opener. Defensively, Carla Ward’s side fared well as Greece were limited to just two shots in the opening half, neither of which came close to troubling Brosnan.
On the other end of the pitch, they also looked capable of creating chances. However, accuracy proved to be an issue. Registering seven shots on target, just two were goalbound - the first, Barrett’s penalty, while the second came half an hour later and was saved with ease by Nasi.
Kiernan, who was on the end of a heavy challenge for the penalty, was replaced at the break with Emily Murphy coming on to make her 7th appearance.
After stalling in the latter stages of the first half, Ireland put their foot back on the gas and were quickly rewarded. Anna Patten timed her jump at the near post well to double the lead, firing past Nasi.
Ireland 2-0 Greece: Anna Patten doubles Ireland's lead as she finishes off a well-worked cornerkick routine with a header.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 8, 2025
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Megan Campbell's not-so-secret weapon also continued to cause havoc, as a third was nearly added just minutes later. Eleni Saich was looking to clear the ball from the mammoth throw-in, but instead almost nodded it into the back of the net.
The cushion of a two-goal lead gave the Girls in Green a bit more comfort when going forward. Their earlier passive approach seemed to be gone, with some slick passing moves allowing them to create a couple of good chances.
But the commitment forward came at a cost, as their opponents pulled one back. Veatriki Sarri swiveled her way around some green shirts, before firing through the legs of Toland and past Brosnan.
Ireland 2-1 Greece: Veatriki Sarri drags the Greeks back into the game with a wonderful finish from outside the box.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 8, 2025
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The goal sparked some belief into a Greek side that was yet to win a point in this campaign, and they continued to pose a threat with Papatheodorou almost catching Brosnan off her line. Lucky for the Everton shot-stopper, the attempt was poorly struck.
Looking to avoid an upset, the Ireland boss called for a mix of youth and experience as Ruesha Littlejohn and Abbie Larkin joined the field in place of Toland and Quinn. Caitlin Hayes then came on to replace Sheva in the final moments. The experienced heads helped Ireland to see the game out, with the home side taking a much-needed three points.
Full Time: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Greece
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Jessie Stapleton, Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Megan Campbell, Denise O’Sullivan (c), Tyler Toland, Marissa Sheva (89), Leanne Kiernan (45), Amber Barrett, Lucy Quinn
Substitutes: Grace Moloney, Sophie Whitehouse, Caitlin Hayes (89), Ruesha Littlejohn (83), Aoibheann Clancy, Saoirse Noonan (72), Alex Kavanagh, Abbie Larkin (83), Emily Murphy (45), Chloe Mustaki
Greece: Zoi Nasi; Maria Paterna, Eleni Markou (c), Maria Palama (84), Stamatia Ntarzanou (66), Eleni Saich, Athanasia Moraitou (45), Veatriki Sarri, Maria Mitkou, Anastasia Spryidonidou (45), Ioanna Papatheodorou
Substitutes: Dimitra Giannakouli, Fafailia Pelatoli, Stela Kotsaki, Maria Gkouni (66), Maria Kapnisi (45), Tatiana Georgiou, Eleni Kakambouki (45), Markella Koskeridou, Anastasia Gkatsou, Despoina Chatzinikolau (84), Sofia Kongouli, Grigoria Pouliou
Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (GER)
Attendance: 5,879
