Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland (result)
Republic of Ireland aiming to maintain Nations League B status
Bulgaria attempting to move up from Nations League C
Second leg in Dublin on Sunday
FT: Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
That is all from us as the Republic of Ireland come from behind to win against Bulgaria and take a narrow lead into Sunday's play-off second leg in Dublin.
You can read the report from the game in Plovdiv here.
We will be back with live text commentary for Sunday's Aviva encounter.
See you then, but for now goodnight.
Image source, InphoFt: Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Shay Given
Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper on RTE
A victory is a victory and there is no getting away from that.
I do believe though that this Bulgaria team are a poor team. On Sunday we should look at using the game to fill the team with confidence and get goals, get on the front foot and give the fans something to cheer about.
FT: Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Player of the Match Finn Azaz speaking on RTE:
On scoring: "Buzzing to get a goal and buzzing to get a win. We'll take the lead back to the Aviva on Sunday.
"He [Troy Parrott] put it on a plate for me, I'll say thank you to Troy for that!
"Obviously a great ball from Robbie Brady as well and I just had to be there. It's probably the easiest goal I'll ever score.
"I don't score many headers so I'm glad to score a header as well."
On the overall performance: "The conditions were tough. The pitch was quite hard to play on.
"I think we were good. We're still building and the confidence is still building. We'll take a lot from it. We created lots of chances and dominated the first half and it was just about game management in the second half."
Image source, Getty ImagesFinn Azaz receiving the Player of the Match award
FT: Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson speaking on RTE:
Speaking about the game: "I thought the first half was really good from us, even though we were unlucky when they scored through their first attack.
"It was a good response, good character, good deep runs and crosses in the first half. A little bit less of that in the second. Obviously they needed a goal, but a pretty good defensive performance in the second half."
On conceding early: "I was just hoping that we would continue what we had planned to do and they did and some really good moves and play, especially with the ball. It was what we wanted them to do and I was happy at half-time.
"We can do a little bit better. It's only the first game of two. We are looking forward to going to Dublin and playing them in our home."
FT: Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
We'll be bringing you some reaction from the Republic of Ireland camp after the victory, so stay tuned!
FT: Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland are now unbeaten in their last five meetings with Bulgaria, winning twice and drawing the other three games.
FT: Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Shay Given
Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper on RTE
The game didn't really get going in the second half, it was very scrappy, very messy. Job done from an Irish perspective though.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland take a one goal lead back to Dublin on Sunday.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Nikolay Minkov is cautioned for a late challenge.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Bulgaria try and sneak a late leveler.
Kiril Despodov whips the ball into the box, but the chance comes to nothing.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Rocco Vata travels forward and tries to find Evan Ferguson, but Anton Nedyalkov is able to dispossess Vata before he can.
Into the final few minutes now.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
It really hasn't been a second half for the history books as it has been scrappy with lots of stoppages.
However, if the score remains the same, Heimir Hallgrimsson will be happy to be taking a lead back to Dublin on Sunday night.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
We've played the 90 minutes and are into five minutes of additional time.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland are awarded a free-kick just outside the box with Robbie Brady blasting an effort well off target.
Cries of "wheyyy" from the home fans follow.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
More changes with the home side bringing on Vladimir Nikolov and llian lliev for Andrian Kraev and Filip Krastev.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Anton Nedyalkov is cautioned for a foul on Mark Sykes, who was trying to push the Republic of Ireland forward.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Kiril Despodov's corner is headed away by Nathan Collins after Dara O'Shea had diverted a shot out of play.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Not the ideal start to Rocco Vata's debut as he has just been cautioned.
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
It's been a frantic second half with very few chances as we enter the final ten minutes.
Will the substitutes help the Republic of Ireland break into the final third?
Bulgaria 1-2 Republic of Ireland
More changes for the away side.
Jason Knight and Ryan Manning make way for Jake O'Brien and Rocco Vata, who is making his debut this evening.
Doherty netted his third international goal in the Republic of Ireland's victory in Plovdiv
The Republic of Ireland came from behind to beat Bulgaria in the first leg of their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off at the Hristo Botev Stadium.
They had a terrible start in Plovdiv as they fell behind to Marin Petkov's sixth-minute goal.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's side rallied, though, and levelled on 21 minutes through Finn Azaz's close-range finish for his first international goal, before Matt Doherty headed them into a 42nd-minute lead.
The Republic saw out the stop-start second half to take a narrow lead into Sunday's second leg in Dublin.
Azaz headed home his first international goal to level for the Republic of Ireland
The Republic enjoyed a bright start in what was an action-packed first half, as Ryan Manning went close, heading straight at Dimitar Mitov after meeting Azaz's inviting cross.
The hosts then opened the scoring with their first foray forward. Lukas Petkov was afforded too much time and space to pick out Filip Krastev and he neatly backheeled the ball to Petkov, whose low first-time strike from the edge of the area went in off the post.
Manning went close again with another header at the other end, before the visitors equalised with a well-worked move.
Robbie Brady's deep delivery from the left fell to Troy Parrott at the back post and he cushioned the ball into Azaz, who had a simple headed finish.
They were inches away from taking the lead on 34 minutes as Mikey Johnston took a quick free-kick to slip in Parrott on the right-hand side of the box and he drilled the ball across the face of goal, just evading the slide of captain Nathan Collins.
The Republic did take a half-time lead as Josh Cullen clipped the ball forward to Doherty, who darted inside and bravely beat Mitov to head into the empty net.
The second half was a much scrappier affair, with neither side able to fashion clear-cut chances on a pitch that cut up greatly.
Watford teenager Rocco Vata came on for his international debut in one of five second-half changes that added little going forward, but the Republic saw the game out, with a crucial second leg to follow at the Aviva Stadium.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 14 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 16 | -7 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 13 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | Israel | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 17 | -13 | 2 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 16 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 2 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 4 | 15 | 16 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
| |
| 3 | Estonia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Azerbaijan | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 17 | -14 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 18 |
| |
| 2 | Kosovo | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 12 |
|
| 3 | Cyprus | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 15 | -11 | 6 |
|
| 4 | Lithuania | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 11 |
| |
| 2 | Bulgaria | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 9 |
|
| 3 | Belarus | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 7 |
|
| 4 | Luxembourg | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 3 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 16 |
| |
| 2 | Armenia | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 7 |
|
| 3 | Faroe Islands | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 6 |
|
| 4 | Latvia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Marino | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
|
| 2 | Gibraltar | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Liechtenstein | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 2 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moldova | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
|
| 2 | Malta | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
|
| 3 | Andorra | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 7 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 3 | 13 | 15 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 15 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 12 | -9 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 13 | -11 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 11 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 8 |
| |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 15 | -15 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | Montenegro | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 3 |
|
Manager: Ilian Iliev
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Manager: Heimir HallgrÃmsson
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Manager: Ilian Iliev
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Manager: Heimir HallgrÃmsson
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
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Bulgaria are winless in their last seven games against the Republic of Ireland in all competitions (D5 L2), with both meetings between the nations in the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League ending as draws.
Republic of Ireland are winless in their five away visits to face Bulgaria (D2 L3). Each of the last two have ended as 1-1 draws, with Ireland defenders Richard Dunne scoring in June 2009 and Shane Duffy in September 2020.
Bulgaria have drawn eight of their last 12 matches in all competitions (W3 D1), with three of their last eight games ending goalless.
Republic of Ireland have lost six of their last eight away games (W2), losing their last two, both in the UEFA Nations League (0-2 vs Greece, 0-5 vs England).
Across their last 32 games, Bulgaria have won just six times (D15 L11). Those six wins have come against nations ranked, at that time, in the FIFA World Rankings in 200th (Gibraltar), 64th (North Macedonia), 110th (Cyprus), 119th (Tanzania), 74th (Northern Ireland) and 89th (Luxembourg).
Among the 16 Group B nations in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, the Republic of Ireland ranked 14th for shots attempted (51), 13th for completed passes (1,746), 13th for touches in the opposition box (100) and 15th for possession average (39.2%).
Kiril Despodov created nine chances in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League group stage, the most of any Bulgarian player. Despodov also registered the most xG of any Bulgaria player (1.9).
20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson has made 18 appearances for the national side and could overtake Ian Harte into outright second place for games played before the age of 21. Only Robbie Keane (25) has played more times before turning 21.
