A frustrating conclusion to what had proved a constructive week but the unity and togetherness developed in Portugal was never mirrored here in front of 41,200 subdued supporters.
As disappointed as manager Steve Staunton will feel, the bigger picture, as he is all too aware, looms later this year in Stuttgart. He can, though, take some satisfaction in the fact that youth got its chance and formations were tinkered with but, still, the manner in which his players failed to overcome an enthusiastic but, ultimately, mediocre side, can only but leave a sour taste.
Unlike Sweden who, two months ago and with one eye on protecting players ahead of the World Cup, were content to sit back and allow Ireland dictate, Chile certainly made the home side work in every department. Indeed, they were confident to search and probe, tipping the balance of possession their way from an early stage.
That enthusiasm went rewarded with Shay Given seeing more action inside 45 minutes than he had in the entire Swedish game.
Liverpool prospect Mark Gonzalez was, more often than not, a key factor behind Chile's best work and was indeed eye-catching throughout, no more so than when tormenting debutante Stephen Kelly down the left. This result, of course, goes some way to pushing Chile further up the world rankings and subsequently improve his chances of landing the work permit he needs to secure his Anfield move.
Kelly, initially playing on the right side of a back three, did not look entirely at ease with his surroundings for much of the game and could easily have gifted Chile an early lead. His back pass, having collected a Steven Reid throw-in, was intercepted by Reinaldo Navia who, in turn, showed Gary Breen a clean pair of heels.
Given, though, was smartly off his line and did just enough to put the striker off as he squandered his shot.
Despite that setback, Ireland awoke from their slumber as the half wore on and, although not playing quite as fluently as perhaps they would have liked, still racked up a number of scoring opportunities.
Reading striker Kevin Doyle held the line well and was the catalyst behind a number of key incidents. First, he saw a close range shot deflect off a defender and soon after he played a delicious ball to Robbie Keane, whose attempted lob from the edge of the area was poorly executed.
Chile, though, refused to buckle under that brief spell of pressure and, in fact, improved collectively, spraying balls from one side to the next, stretching the home defence.
Gonzalez and Luis Jimenez, the Fiorentina striker and captain, proved the visitors tormentors in chief, the former causing Kelly all sorts of headaches and the latter dropping deep and linking impressively at the head of a three-man attack.
Indeed, Jimenez's shot from distance after the half hour had Given scrambling but the ball was always rising.
The manner in which Ireland broke forward was neither patient nor impressive. Kevin Kilbane, from wing back, managed to orchestrate a number of moves but both John O'Shea and Liam Miller inside him were frequently off the pace, thus ensuring a scattered approach when Ireland surged upfield.
Reid, though, on the opposite flank, was more assured in possession and time and again he found Doyle, Keane and Damien Duff with probing balls. Nevertheless, true chances in front of goal where few and far between with the Chilean defence just about coping with what was sent their way.
Ireland paid for their hesitancy just four minutes into the second half. Gonzalez, who hit Given's post just before the break , saw his free cannon off the Irish wall and rebound into the box.
First, Pablo Contreras looked to strike but the ball squirmed loose and when Richard Dunne failed to clear Manuel Iturra, who was lurking, bashed the ball past Given from six yards. A fair reward for the manner in which the visitor's set about their hosts.
Staunton reacted by introducing four subs , reverting his side a more familiar 4-4-2 makeup with Kilbane stepping into the heart of defence for the injured Breen; Ian Harte moving to the left pocket, Aiden McGeady menacing on the right and Graham Kavanagh proving a more imposing prospect in midfield.
The changes reaped rewards, of a kind, as the home side held a surer footing in the middle of the park, ensuring a stronger platform from which to formulate attacks.
The problem for Ireland, though, was executing a ball in the final third. Harte's teasing free-kicks - from which both Reid and Dunne blazed headers over - proved problematic, at times, for a visiting defence that was growing increasingly confident with their surroundings.
Doyle and Keane, both in tune with play in the first half, found their time on the ball restricted while Duff was largely isolated on the left, although he still showed creative flashes when afforded room to cut in. Jason Byrne, the Shelbourne striker, was subsequently introduced for his second senior cap, replacing Doyle with some 20 minutes remaining.
Byrne frequently created space and played a telling role in the closing stages, twice setting up team-mates in promising positions.
First, he climbed well to nod Harte's searching ball into Duff's path but the Chelsea winger, having jinked into the box, saw his shot well saved by Claudio Bravo and then, soon after, he knocked down for his cousin, Keane, whose shot from close range went over.
Too little, too late from a flat Irish side who ultimately were lucky not to have conceded another when the impressive Gonzalez sent a late curling free inches wide of Wayne Henderson's post.
Rep of Ireland: Given; Kelly, Dunne, Breen, Kilbane; Miller, S Reid, O'Shea, Duff; Keane, Doyle. Subs: Harte for Breen, Kavanagh for Miller, Henderson for Given, McGeady for O'Shea (all 54 mins), Byrne for Doyle (72), A Reid for Kelly (85). Booked: Reid (48), Kavanagh (65).
Chile: Munoz, Reyes, Palacios, Fica, Guerrero, Concha, Urrutia, Hoffman, Garces, Amador, Pontivo. Subs: Sanchez for Navia (77), Galaz for Suazo (81), Zenteno for Gonzalez (90). Booked: Contreras (26), Iturra (27), Acuna (59), Jimenez (67).
Referee: Martin Ingvarsson (Sweden)
