Greece 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Ireland's hopes of qualification are once again all but snuffed out after only two games with Stephen Kenny back in the firing line.
The Boys in Green were left digesting a sinking feeling that has become all too familiar to a team incapable of producing a consistent streak.
And Ireland were fortunate not to leave Athens with a more comprehensive beating as Greece sliced and diced the men in white shirts for fun.
READ MORE: Recap and result from Greece v Ireland
They were scrambling in their efforts to deal with a slew of attacks and frustration eventually got the better of them with Matt Doherty seeing red for sparking an injury-time melee.
Gavin Bazunu had to make three vital saves to keep the scoreline respectable and Nathan Collins and Doherty provided vital blocks to prevent other goals.
On the rare occasion that Ireland threatened, they actually looked capable of causing trouble to a Greek defence that hadn’t a great deal to do.
But it was all at arm’s length and Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah - who was hooked at half-time - never sparked and Ireland lacked any credible threat inside the box itself.
Collins and Doherty both threatened from distance but Ireland played with no punch whatsoever and got what they deserved.
Just like the World Cup campaign where Ireland’s race was run after two games, this qualifying mission looks goosed now.
The convoluted playoff system through the Nations League standings may yet offer a glimmer of hope further down the line, but that picture won’t be clear for some time.
This was earmarked as the pivotal game in the group and one Ireland at least couldn’t afford to lose but the nightmare scenario unfolded - and from early on.
The heat wasn’t quite the factor it could have been in the Greek capital with temperatures dipping to 22 by kickoff - but Ireland were still under fire.
Greece had five corners by the 12th minute and Bazunu had to pull off two vital saves to deny Konstantinos Mavropanos and Tasos Bakasetas.
Wing-backs Doherty and Callum O’Dowda were constantly targeted and Collins, John Egan and Darragh Lenihan were being pulled from pillar to post as a result.
The green laser pen being shone in all their faces throughout - with security scouring the stands to find the culprit - was the least of their worries.
Outside, hundreds of Ireland fans experienced issues trying to enter the stadium with only one functioning turnstile for two blocks of the stand.
Some fans tweeted about a potentially dangerous situation unfolding but thankfully it was resolved early in the game.
But the influx of those late arrivers coincided with Greece’s opening goal at a time when Ireland’s rearguard was getting shredded.
The defending left a lot to be desired and Ireland were unravelling at pace by the time Greece scored their 15th minute opener from the spot after a lengthy VAR check.
O”Dowda’s hands were raised as George Baldock clipped a cross in from the edge of the box and he could have no complaints when the penalty was finally given.
Bakasetas, who was identified by Kenny as Greece’s danger man in those advanced midfield areas, slammed home the penalty to give Bazunu no chance.
It was a nightmare start and Ireland saw so little of the ball they couldn’t generate any forward momentum.
Yet they were handed a vital lifeline when another VAR decision went their way after 27 minutes with the Austrian referee giving Collins’ goal the green light.
Smallbone’s corner was headed on by Evan Ferguson and Collins arrived at the back post to apply the killer finish, even if he was left sweating for two minutes on the check.
Still, Greece continued to boss the ball and Bazunu was called upon again to deny Bakasetas while Doherty’s foot block on Dimitris Peikas prevented a second goal.
And the wheels came off again just four minutes into the second-half as Greece reclaimed the lead after butchering Ireland’s cover.
Half-time sub Mikey Johnston was nutmegged by Bakasetas and O’Dowda couldn’t stay with Giorgos Masouras who curled home with a lovely low finish to the far post.
One of the theme’s of Greece’s play was just how easily they were able to play their way out of tight pockets when Ireland appeared well covered - and that was a point in case.
But with Josh Cullen far more influential in the second-half than he had been in the first, Ireland were starting to play on the froot foot more in the closing 20 minutes.
And Collins was denied a second when his 25-yard thunderbolt - on the back of a James McClean cross - was parried by goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Collins - who had also been denied a late equaliser against France - had his head in his hands in a nod to Ireland’s damaging night.
And Greece ought to have put Ireland out of sight late on but former Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis blazed over when he looked certain to score.
Kenny threw caution to the wind late on by adding strikers Michael Obafemi and Troy Parrott into the mix.
Doherty saw a late effort saved but a team that had lacked any sort of threat was put out of its misery by the shrill of the final whistle.
All round, this was a grim night for Kenny who is struggling to walk the walk after talking the talk. Victory over Gibraltar on Monday won’t change that.
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