Introduction
The Republic of Ireland’s aspirations to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a significant hit after a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Armenia in their second group match. As the team struggled on the pitch, fans and analysts alike couldn’t help but scrutinize the performances of each player. Here’s how the Irish players rated in Yerevan.
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
Despite the loss, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher demonstrated his skill throughout the match. He made several crucial saves to keep the scoreline from getting worse. His positioning was generally sound, and he displayed remarkable composure under pressure, ensuring Ireland stayed in the game until the end.
Defensive Unit Ratings
Seamus Coleman – 6
Seamus Coleman had a mixed performance. While he contributed to the attack with overlapping runs, his defensive duties were sometimes lacking. Armenia exploited gaps on their right side, taking advantage of Coleman’s positioning.
John Egan – 5
John Egan struggled against Armenia’s forwards. He made a few good tackles but was often caught out of position, allowing the opposition to capitalize on several counter-attacks. Egan’s performance showcased the need for stronger communication in the back line.
Darragh Lenihan – 5
Like Egan, Darragh Lenihan had a tough day at the office. His inability to deal with high balls and set pieces proved costly. A crucial mistake led to one of Armenia’s goals, and he’ll need to review his performance to bounce back in future matches.
Enda Stevens – 6
Enda Stevens was steady, putting in a decent shift defensively. He managed to contain Armenia’s left flank but didn’t offer much in terms of attacking support. His contributions were more noteworthy in the defensive third, where he made several vital interceptions.
Midfield Performances
Josh Cullen – 7
Josh Cullen was one of the more positive aspects of Ireland’s performance. He displayed great energy and was instrumental in breaking up play. His passing was accurate, and he attempted to dictate the tempo for the Irish side throughout the match.
Jeff Hendrick – 6
Jeff Hendrick’s performance was solid but lacked the creativity needed to turn the tide in Ireland’s favor. While he worked hard and contributed defensively, he did not make enough key passes or take risks to challenge the Armenian defense.
Conor Hourihane – 6
Conor Hourihane showed flashes of brilliance but failed to maintain consistency. He had a couple of promising moments and attempted to link up play, but his contributions were ultimately overshadowed by the negative result. He will need to be more influential in critical areas in future games.
Forward Ratings
Robbie Brady – 5
Robbie Brady struggled to make an impact on the game. He was often isolated and unable to provide the width that was needed. His lack of influence in the attacking third was noticeable, and he was substituted in the second half as a result.
Callum Robinson – 6
Callum Robinson was lively but lacked the finishing touch. He had a few chances but failed to convert them into goals. His movement off the ball was positive, but he needs to work on his finishing if he wants to provide more for the team.
Michael Obafemi – 6
Michael Obafemi showed some potential with his pace and direct running, but he, too, was unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities. His enthusiasm was commendable, but the lack of clinical finishing from the front line was a missed opportunity for Ireland.
Conclusion
This defeat against Armenia has posed serious questions about Ireland’s capabilities as they look ahead to the rest of their World Cup qualifying campaign. The players must regroup and learn from this performance if they hope to achieve their goal of participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
