Greece 3-1 Northern Ireland: Visitors slump to a further Nations League defeat despite Shayne Lavery’s early strike but Ian Baraclough’s side stay away from ending base of their team
Striker Shayne Lavery cancelled out a delicate opening intention from Dimitrios PelkasGoals from Giorgos Masouras and Petros Mantalos secured a deserved winCyprus’ defeat to Kosovo meant that Northern Ireland avoided being relegated
The only excellent news on a scorching and instead humbling night time in Athens was that Northern Eire averted the threat of Nations League relegation.
Cyprus’ 5-1 defeat to Kosovo spared Ian Baraclough’s side the embarrassment of finishing base of Team C2 irrespective of capitulating to Greece at the Georgios Kamaras Stadium.
But Northern Ireland are now established to fall into pot five for the Euro 2024 draw up coming thirty day period, which means they will face a a lot tougher qualifying group on the street to Germany.
Northern Ireland fell to a further Nations League defeat in Greece but averted finishing bottom
Shayne Lavery pounced to steer property a volley from close variety to amount in the 18th moment
Immediately after last but not least winning a Nations League activity at the 15th try in opposition to Kosovo in Belfast on Saturday, Northern Eire ended up introduced down to earth as they finished a wretched campaign with 5 points from 6 matches.
Blackpool striker Shayne Lavery cancelled out a smooth opening purpose from Dimitrios Pelkas, but Georgios Masouras and Petros Mantalos gave team winners Greece a deserved earn.
It spoiled a landmark evening for Leicester City’s Jonny Evans who was handed the captain’s armband on his 100th visual appeal, getting to be only the fourth Northern Irishman to arrive at a century of caps.
Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell will not likely glance back again on the situation with any fondness both.
It bought off to a tricky begin when a groggy Jordan Thompson was pressured out of the game in only the fifth moment following an off-the-ball problem from Mantalos who was then booked for a cynical foul on Ali McCann.
Even worse nevertheless, Northern Ireland gifted the hosts a objective in the 14th minute when Peacock-Farrell spilled a cross from Fotis Ioannidis just after bumping into teammate Paddy McNair and Hull striker Pelkas stooped to head property.
Greece’s lead last just 4 minutes, however, as Steven Davis swung around a cross from the remaining and Lavery stole in to tutorial the ball past goalkeeper Odusseus Vlachodomos.
Gus Poyet’s side dominated the next 50 percent and regained the lead when Davis’ pass was intercepted and Mantalos combined with Anastasios Bakasetas for Masouras to score from shut assortment.
Miscalculation by captain Steven Davis led to Giorgos Masouras scoring the 2nd from shut array
Petros Mantalos sealed victory with a 25-lawn thunderbolt earlier goalkeeper Peacock-Farrell
Mantalos made guaranteed of victory in the 80th moment when Peacock-Farrell could not maintain out his stunning effort from 25 yards.
Some of the 1,000 travelling lovers referred to as for Baraclough to go, and he stated: ‘It’s not what we required but we capable from pot five in 2016 so it can be carried out.
‘I imagine we’re acquiring. You see gamers coming in and obtaining their way. Surprisingly, we will be improved for the practical experience.’