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Player Ratings: Day of Armenian acrimony for Ireland

Jack Taylor, left, and Dara O'Shea were part of the Irish display
Jack Taylor, left, and Dara O'Shea were part of the Irish display

The Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a major body blow after a 2-1 defeat to Armenia in their second group game.

Here's how the Irish players rated in Yerevan.


The Republic of Ireland team, back row, from left, Nathan Collins, Caoimhin Kelleher, Jack Taylor, Finn Azaz, Dara O'Shea and Jake O'Brien, with front, from left, Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Ryan Manning, Evan Ferguson, Chiedozie Ogbene before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between
The starting team in Yerevan

Caoimhin Kelleher - 7

Having had little do early on, the Brentford keeper made a sharp save in the 17th minute to stop a shot from distance from Lucas Zelarayan that had lots of movement on it.

Wasn't able to deny a thorn in the Irish side from previous head-to-heads - a certain Eduard Spertsyan - from converting the home side's first-half penalty.

Was alert to deal with a snapshot from an angle on the left in the 67th minute and did really well again to deny Nair Tiknizyan after Sperstyan's pass had dissected the Irish back four like an over-qualified lab technician. Another great save down to his right in the 85th minute prevented Ireland falling 3-1 behind.

Conceded twice on the night but the blame largely lay in front of Kelleher as, in fairness to him, he came up with good saves when needed.

Jake O'Brien - 5

Tasked with the long throws on either side, it was his cross to the far post on 31 minutes that led to a headed opportunity for Nathan Collins.

But defensively, the Everton man got caught out completely by a pass in behind him on 50 minutes which led to Armenia's second goal. Like almost all of his team-mates, a night to forget the longer it went on.

Nathan Collins (c) - 4

Captaining Ireland again in Seamus Coleman's absence, one errant clearance on 14 minutes led to a brief bit of Armenia pressure in an otherwise quieter early portion defensively.

However, his and Ireland's performance would begin to crumble later in the first half. The Brentford centre-back conceded a penalty shortly before half-time after Zelarayan got a foot onto the ball before him and the VAR check confirmed the referee's decision.

Dara O'Shea of Republic of Ireland in action against Georgii Arutiunian and Kamo Hovhannisyan of Armenia during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia.
Dara O'Shea in action

Dara O'Shea - 5

Swept up well beside Collins early on, drawing fouls from Armenian attackers when necessary to relieve pressure.

But an untimely slip while one-on-one with Tigran Barseghyan inside the Irish box was the precursor of a double chance for Armenia that almost let the home side to grab the lead ten minutes before the break, only for the crossbar to come to the rescue.

Was part of an Irish defence that was progressively at sixes and sevens as Armenia broke through with regularity.

Ryan Manning - 6

The Galway man has established himself as a real favourite under Heimir Hallgrimsson. Playing left back instead of further forward as he has been doing of late for Ireland, his role was to offer some natural width on the left side.

But he had limited impact in the opposition half from his defensive berth until the late stages when his shot from the edge of the box forced a good save down low by Ognjen Cancarevic. Came off with ten minutes to go.

Chiedozie Ogbene of Republic of Ireland in action against Erik Piloyan of Armenia during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia.
Aside from one charge upfield, it was a night to forget for a rusty Ogbene

Chiedozie Ogbene - 4

Starting on the right wing, having made a decent impact as a sub against Hungary on Saturday, the new Sheffield United loanee didn't impact the game positively in the early stages.

Made an enterprising run from his own half on 36 minutes to charge into the Armenia half, get a cross in and earn a throw-in high up the pitch.

But that was the only real bright spot in his performance and he was withdrawn at half-time and couldn't have many complaints.

Josh Cullen - 4

A relatively quiet first half in the engine room for the Burnley midfielder and was unable to stamp any authority in the midfield battle. Was taken off with 20 minutes to go.

Jason Knight - 4

Part of a midfield that progressively lost control of proceedings as the first half wore on. A give-away ten minutes after half-time led to a moment of danger when a rampant Armenia were possibly in for a third goal.

Did make a driving run down the right to get a cross in on 63 minutes but it was too close to the keeper.

But the Bristol City skipper was the first player booked on the night in the 80th minute with a tired foul.

Jack Taylor of Republic of Ireland has a shot on goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia.
Jack Taylor's shot towards the near post was his main contribution before being hooked at half time

Jack Taylor - 4

The most advanced of the Irish midfielders, the Ipswich Town man was closest to Evan Ferguson in the press early on.

Got a shot off at the near post after driving towards the six-yard box but saw his shot parried out for a corner.

Had a mixed first half at best and did not get to feature in the second period.

Finn Azaz - 3

Got a shot off early from the edge of the box after snappy build-up play in a bright start in the first minute by Ireland.

However, the Southampton attacking midfielder's influence waned after that. Tried to spark a counter-attack after combining from deep with Taylor in first-half stoppage time but saw his through pass towards Evan Ferguson cut out.

A loose touch in the 47th minute, gifting possession back to Armenia, summed up his and Ireland's performance up to that point. Repeated the trick on 62 minutes when he turned over possession twice in quick succession. Could count himself fortunate to still have been on until the 70th minute.

Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland is tackled by Armenia goalkeeper Ognjen Chancharevich during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia.
Ferguson almost got in for a goal early but would get on the scoresheet in the second half

Evan Ferguson - 7

Unlucky not to give Ireland the lead on three minutes when he capitalised on the Armenian keeper not gathering the ball at the edge of the box, before swivelling and arcing a shot towards goal which was cleared off the line.

Led the line well initially but suffered a knock to the back of the head after being brought down unceremoniously in the 23rd minute. Recovered though to tee up Taylor for a saved shot after controlling a long pass forward.

Just like on Saturday, the Roma striker got the goal that halved the deficit from an Irish perspective and offered a much-needed lifeline. But his own individual efforts weren't enough on the night.


Substitutes

Kasey McAteer (for Chiedozie Ogbene H/T) - 5

Didn't make a telling impact initially. Had a go from distance just after the hour mark but was well off target.

Adam Idah (for Jack Taylor H/T) - 6

His goal led to a vital equaliser against Hungary at the Aviva, and on this occasion had more minutes to impact a game that Ireland were again chasing.

Did get the assist for Ferguson's goal to leave Ireland 2-1 down. A couple of minutes later, he almost found Kasey McAteer with a through ball attempt but not much else followed in a positive sense.

Killian Phillips (for Josh Cullen '70) - 5

Entered the fray at a time when Ireland were in flux and was unable to make much of an impact.

Mikey Johnston (for Finn Azaz '70) - 5

His brief is usually simple, run at the opposition and show twinkle-toes. But the opportunity to do so didn't come.

Liam Scales (for Ryan Manning '80) - 5

Came on late to slot into defence as Ireland chased the game.


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