Ireland punished at the back again but Halgrimsson has major issues further up

The concession of that soft second goal, on the back of a mistake by the otherwise excellent Kelleher, will concentrate minds on issues closer to their own goal.

PUNISHED AGAIN: Nathan Collins reacts at the final whistle. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Some games amble and drag their feet through the opening minutes, any semblance of shape or plot absent as players and teams come to terms with the state of play. International football can be especially slow to find its feet.

Not here. This Nations League B tie was no more than five minutes old by the time Greece and the Republic of Ireland had signed the terms of engagement. There would be no bedding-in period. Neither of them displayed any interest in it.