Ireland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup take a damaging hit

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Armenia 2 - 1 Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup took a damaging hit as they slumped to a deserved defeat against Armenia in Yerevan.

Author | Jordan F

Stadium | Vazgen Sargsyan anvan Hanrapetakan Marzadasht

Super News Football | World Cup Qualifying | Armenia players and fans celebrate

Three years after a shock Nations League loss to the same opposition, Ireland were humbled once more by a side ranked 105th in the world, 45 places below them.

Eduard Spertsyan, who struck the winner in 2022, gave Armenia the lead from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after captain Nathan Collins fouled Lucas Zelarayan. Ireland’s problems deepened when Grant-Leon Ranos doubled the advantage six minutes into the second half.

Evan Ferguson pulled one back almost immediately, but Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side were fortunate not to concede again, with Artur Serobyan’s late effort ruled out for offside.

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The defeat followed a home draw with Hungary in Saturday’s opening qualifier and leaves Hallgrimsson facing an uphill task to guide Ireland to their first World Cup since 2002.

A closer look at what happened

Ireland began brightly, Ferguson’s lobbed effort cleared off the line by Erik Piloyan after goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic spilled the ball. Jack Taylor, drafted into the side for the injured Sammie Szmodics, also forced a save at the near post.

Super News Football | World Cup Qualifying | Armenia celebrate against Republic of Ireland
Armenia players celebrate

But Armenia steadily grew into the contest. Ranos rattled the crossbar before Spertsyan’s penalty beat Caoimhin Kelleher. Ranos then struck again early in the second half, finishing smartly from Nair Tiknizyan’s cross.

Ferguson’s well-taken goal was Ireland’s only real moment of quality in attack and, with one point from two matches and two games against Portugal still to come in Group F, their prospects of returning to the biggest stage in football already look slim.

Was this the worst result in Republic of Ireland's history?

Macedonia in 1997, Cyprus in 2006, Luxembourg in 2021, Armenia in 2022 and now Armenia once more in 2025.

When compiling the Republic of Ireland’s most chastening defeats, Tuesday’s 2-1 loss in Yerevan must rank near the top.

Falling to a side 105th in the Fifa rankings was damaging enough, but the manner of the result has left Ireland’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in tatters after only two qualifying games.

The performance was abject and will inevitably raise searching questions about the direction of the team under Heimir Hallgrimsson, as well as his long-term position.

The former Jamaica manager is contracted only until the end of this campaign, which now looks set to conclude in November rather than at next summer’s finals in North America, as he and the supporters had envisaged.

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