DUBLIN — The Vikings fought vigorously, particularly in the fourth quarter, but fell 24-21 to the Steelers on Sunday in the NFL's first regular-season game in Ireland.

Minnesota suffered its first loss ever on international soil, falling to 4-1 all-time in regular-season games.

Carson Wentz threw two touchdowns in the final stanza, helping narrow an 18-point deficit but Minnesota's final drive was derailed when he took an intentional grounding penalty on a first-and-10 with less than 45 seconds remaining. That infraction is a loss of down, spot of foul and includes a 10-second runoff at that point in the game.

Wentz found the end zone for the first time Sunday with a 16-yard pass to Zavier Scott for the running back's first career touchdown and followed with a 2-point conversion pass to Jalen Nailor that made it 24-14 with 7:50 remaining.

Pittsburgh opted to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the Minnesota 3-yard line on the ensuing possession, but Byron Murphy, Jr., tackled Kenneth Gainwell at the 1.

Three plays later, Wentz found Jordan Addison behind the Steelers defense for a gain of 81 yards to the Pittsburgh 1, where the receiver was caught by linebacker Payton Wilson. The Vikings were able to finish the drive with a 2-yard pass to Nailor on fourth-and-goal but burned 38 precious seconds in the process before making it 24-21 with 2:08 remaining.

The Vikings defense rallied after a failed onside kick attempt to give Minnesota one more opportunity, but the 39-yard line was as far as Minnesota could move the ball.

Here are four more observations:

1. Withstanding injuries up front

The Vikings were without left guard Donovan Jackson at the start of the game. Blake Brandel started in place of Jackson.

The Vikings also had to manage Brian O'Neill leaving the game with an injury after Minnesota's first field goal of the game.

Justin Skule replaced O'Neill.

The Vikings also lost veteran center Ryan Kelly, who was evaluated for a concussion. Michael Jurgens replaced Kelly in the second half.

Pittsburgh dialed up multiple blitzes and limited the Vikings to 15 net yards in the third quarter.

The Steelers finished with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Pittsburgh was credited with 14 QB hits and totaled eight passes defensed, which was highlighted by a pair of interceptions to grant advantageous starting field position.

2. Hot starts by QBs

Both quarterbacks opened the game on fire.

Wentz completed his first 11 passes of the game for a new career best before his 12^th was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Derrick Harmon and intercepted by DeShon Elliott.

He endured the repeated hits, including having his eye poked in the second quarter, and finished 30-of-46 passing for 350 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions on passes that were tipped. His passer rating was 84.5.

Pittsburgh's Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked by Jalen Redmond on the first play of the game, made it a point to get the ball out as fast as possible for most of the game.

He completed all eight of his passes in the first quarter for 65 yards and added a 4-for-6 showing for 100 in the second quarter, getting most of the damage on a quick slant that DK Metcalf took for an 80-yard touchdown.

Rodgers leaned on the short game to protect the lead and control the clock in the second half, throwing for 35 yards after intermission. He finished 18-of-22 passing with 200 yards and a passer rating of 119.7.

3. Miscues add up

In addition to a missed tackle and angle on the long one to Metcalf, the Vikings suffered multiple miscues.

The Vikings were flagged eight times for 82 yards, which included two retaliations that resulted in 15-yard markoffs.

The Vikings also suffered a holding penalty during what initially appeared to be a 54-yard kickoff return by Myles Price.

Instead of the Vikings starting a drive at the Pittsburgh 37 and trying to answer a 21-6 deficit late in the third quarter, Minnesota got the ball at its own 18 and punted it three plays later.

4. Six-point swing

The Vikings were able to withstand a quality drive by the Steelers late in the first half that advanced the ball to the Minnesota 10.

Included in the advancement was an 11-yard scramble by Rodgers. Jonathan Greenard forced a fumble by the QB but it Sunday hopped right into the hands of Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones, who added 6 yards to the play.

The Vikings bounced back when Redmond tossed Rodgers for a loss of 10 on second-and-5 and forced a 30-yard field goal attempt by Chris Boswell.

Isaiah Rodgers screamed around the edge to block the kick.

It was Minnesota's first FG block since Jerry Tillery knocked one down at Chicago on Nov. 24, 2024, and positioned the Vikings to mount a scoring drive in the final two minutes of the first half.

Reichard's second field goal of the game (a 28-yarder) made it 14-6 with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.

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