Republic of Ireland Dominate Greece 4-0 in Nations League: Ward Hails 'Superb' Second-Half Performance

Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward hailed her team's 'superb' second-half performance in their 4-0 Nations League victory over Greece. After a slow start, the visitors turned the game around with goals from substitutes Marissa Sheva and Amber Barrett, alongside Kyra Carusa and Jessie Stapleton.

Second-Half Dominance

Despite a disjointed first half in Crete, Ward emphasized the impact of her halftime team talk, urging her squad to exploit spaces and increase intensity. The introduction of Katie McCabe (who assisted twice) and Sheva shifted momentum, leading to a commanding display.

"The players deserve credit; we haven’t had much training time, but the execution in the second half was fantastic," Ward told RTE. "The substitutes stretched Greece and raised the tempo—it was a complete squad effort."

Key Performers

• Marissa Sheva: Scored the opener after entering at halftime.
• Amber Barrett: Marked her 50th cap with a clinical finish, earning praise as a "big-moment player."
• Katie McCabe: Managed carefully due to a calf strain, her 45-minute cameo proved pivotal.

Tactical Adjustments

Ward revealed the decision to bring McCabe off the bench was strategic: "We knew she had 45 minutes in her. Starting her risked an early substitution, but her impact was immense."

This victory underscores Ireland's growing strength in women's football, with Ward highlighting collective resilience: "When we play with belief, we’re a force."

Related: Nations League standings, Ireland's upcoming fixtures, and analysis of McCabe’s leadership role.