Postpublished at 18:57 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
McCausland, who has been bright, floats in a cross but Ballard heads wide.
That was probably the last chance.
Summary
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Kiril Despodov hits winner in 40th minute
Postpublished at 18:57 British Summer Time 8 September
Postpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
NI have a corner, but Bulgaria deal with it well.
They've negated Northern Ireland's threat at set-pieces tonight.
Postpublished at 18:54 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Paul Smyth gets two hands into the back of Petkov, right in front of the assistant referee.
No free-kick bizarrely.
We're two minutes through the six with very little having happened.
Postpublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Into injury time...no sign of an equaliser coming.
There'll be six minutes for them to rescue something, though!
Postpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
There's been precious few real chances in this second half.
Lavery flashes a header over the bar but he was never going to beat the keeper from there.
Postpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Ross McCausland asking a few questions of Bulgaria, dropping deep and looking to get his side on the front foot.
Postpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Hume was lucky not to go in the book in the first half...all the more so now.
He's been shown a yellow for a foul on Vasil Panayotov as Bulgaria looked to get in behind on the counter.
The skipper makes way with Ross McCausland coming on. Ali McCann replaces Isaac Price too.
Postpublished at 18:41 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio UlsterNorthern Ireland have to play quicker, there are only 10 minutes left.
Postpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Despodov the latest to make way for Bulgaria.
They look to be going five at the back as we near the last 10 minutes of the game.
'Real lack of quality in the final third'published at 18:36 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Keith Gillespie
Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio UlsterI don't think their keeper has had a save to make in the whole game.
There's a real lack of quality in the final third. We have had enough possession and they have allowed us at times, but we have to be better in the final third.
Making the changespublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Paul Smyth and Callum Marshall on for Paddy McNair and George Saville.
Michael O'Neill has no choice but to go for it now.
Image source, Press EyeImage caption, Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill
Frustrations growingpublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Time ticking away for Northern Ireland now. 18 minutes remaining...
Image source, Press EyeImage caption, Action from the second half
Postpublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Kirilov makes way for Bulgaria now.
Didn't quite have the same impact in the second half but he was a real threat earlier on.
CLOSE!published at 18:31 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland finally get in behind with George Saville's ball sending Lavery clear.
He hits it straight at the keeper. By a distance NI's best chance of the game...
Or it would be if Lavery had stayed onside. The flag didn't go up but VAR would have chalked that one off had it ended up in the net.
Still, encouraging for the visitors if they can time those runs.
'Bulgaria letting us play now'published at 18:31 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio UlsterBulgaria are quite prepared to sit back and let us attack them whereas in the first half they were chasing and closing us down in our own half. They are letting us play now and are trying to hold what they have and hit us on the break.
Image source, BBC SportImage caption, Northern Ireland's Jamal Lewis with Bulgaria's Viktor Popov
Postpublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
NI have opted against using Ciaron Brown's long throw on a few occasions but the defender launches this one into the box.
Bulgaria head clear.
Postpublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Kolev makes way for Ahmed Ahmedov, who is on for his second cap.
As well as the assist for the goal, Kolev caused Northern Ireland a few problems.
Half an hour to go...published at 18:21 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland stepping up the chase for an equaliser.
Image source, Press EyeImage caption, Action from Bulgaria versus Northern Ireland
'Northern Ireland have to be braver'published at 18:20 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio UlsterWe have started to come into the game but we have to be braver now and start throwing men forward.
Postpublished at 18:20 British Summer Time 8 September
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland
Bradley and Lewis linking up this time, working the ball to Dion Charles who sees a shot blocked.
That will be the Bolton man's last action as Shayne Lavery replaces him.
Northern Ireland improved in the second half but could not find an equaliser in Plovdiv
Northern Ireland's strong run of form came to an end with a frustrating 1-0 Nations League defeat by Bulgaria in Plovdiv.
Kiril Despodov was gifted the opening goal in the 40th minute when Aleksandar Kolev latched on to a loose pass by goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and he squared the ball for the Bulgarian captain to touch home.
Northern Ireland travelled to Bulgaria off the back of a solid win over Luxembourg in their Nations League opener on Thursday, which was their fourth victory in six matches.
But Michael O'Neill's side struggled to get to grips with the game on a difficult pitch and stifling heat in Plovdiv as the the hosts also hit the post twice in the first half.
Northern Ireland improved after the restart but could not find an equaliser against a stern Bulgarian defence.
The result, along with Belarus' 1-0 win in Luxembourg, leaves Northern Ireland third in Group C3 after two matches.
Backed by their vocal support, Bulgaria, who were unbeaten in seven matches heading into the game, should have taken the lead in the fourth minute after a chaotic goalmouth scramble.
Georgi Kostadinov forced Peacock-Farrell into a superb save from a corner and Kolev powered the rebound towards goal. Ciaron Brown had to scramble the forward's effort off the line but his clearance smashed off Aleks Petkov, who inadvertently hit the upright before Peacock-Farrell was able to smother the danger.
Despite half-chances for Isaac Price, Daniel Ballard and Conor Bradley, it was a sign of things to come.
Moments after firing wide from range, the impressive Despodov fired in a free-kick that rattled the post and bounced out of play.
PAOK midfielder Despodov was dictating play and his stunning through ball almost set up Kolev, but the forward's lobbed finish lacked the power to trouble Peacock-Farrell.
Northern Ireland were almost gifted the opener when Aleks Petkov misjudged Ballard's long ball, which allowed Isaac Price through on goal but he rushed his effort, which flew well wide.
But, in contrast, Bulgaria made no mistake when handed a chance of their own as Peacock-Farrell's pass caught Ballard on his toes inside the area, which allowed Kolev to race in and square the ball for Despodov to tap home at the back post.
Ballard had a great chance to equalise in the final play of the half when he headed over Bradley's cross.
Northern Ireland started the second half on the front foot but struggled to create many clear-cut chances.
Dion Charles saw an attempt well blocked just shy of the hour mark and substitute Shayne Lavery fired straight at Dimitar Mitov before being adjudged to have been offside.
Lavery had another sight of goal with three minutes to play but he headed Jamal Lewis' cross over the bar.
Just like in the first half, Ballard had a header on goal deep into injury-time but it sailed wide as Northern Ireland's hopes of rescuing a point ended.
Northern Ireland are back in action away to Belarus on 12 October before Bulgaria travel to Belfast three days later.
UEFA Nations League Scores & Fixtures
Sunday 8th September
UEFA Nations League Table
On Sunday 8th September
Skip to table key
Match Participants:
League A Group 1
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 0 |
|
League A Group 2
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | Israel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
League A Group 3
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
League A Group 4
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
|
League C Group 1
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | Azerbaijan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| 4 | Estonia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
League C Group 2
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | Cyprus | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 3 | Lithuania | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 4 | Kosovo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
- Bulgaria, Position 2, Points 4
- Northern Ireland, Position 3, Points 3
League C Group 3
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belarus | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
|
| 2 | Bulgaria | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | Luxembourg | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
League C Group 4
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Armenia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 3 | Faroe Islands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 4 | Latvia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
League D Group 1
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Marino | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 2 | Gibraltar | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 3 | Liechtenstein | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
|
League D Group 2
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moldova | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 2 | Andorra | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 3 | Malta | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
League B Group 1
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
League B Group 2
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
League B Group 3
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
League B Group 4
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | Montenegro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
Key
- Position 1 - 2 : Quarter-finals
- Position 3 : Relegation Play-off
- Position 4 : Relegation
Team Lineups
home team, Bulgaria
Manager: Ilian Iliev
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Mitov, Goalkeeper
16, Popov, Defender
3, Atanasov, Defender
5, Petkov, Defender
13, Nürnberger, Defender
7, Kostadinov, Defensive Midfielder
4, Gruev, Defensive Midfielder
11, Despodov, Attacking Midfielder
17, Minchev, Attacking Midfielder
8, Kirilov, Attacking Midfielder
9, Kolev, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, D. Mitov
- Number 13, F. Nürnberger , Yellow Card at 90 minutes plus 1
- Number 5, A. Petkov
- Number 3, Z. Atanasov
- Number 16, V. Popov
- Number 4, I. Gruev
- Number 7, G. Kostadinov , substituted for S. Petrov at 78 minutes
- Number 8, R. Kirilov , substituted for Z. Dimitrov at 72 minutes
- Number 17, M. Minchev , substituted for V. Panayotov at 72 minutes
- Number 11, K. Despodov , Captain, substituted for S. Ivanov at 78 minutes
- Number 9, A. Kolev , Yellow Card at 90 minutes plus 3, substituted for A. Ahmedov at 63 minutes
Substitutes
home team, Bulgaria
- Number 6, V. Antov
- Number 22, S. Ivanov
- Number 18, V. Panayotov
- Number 20, Z. Dimitrov
- Number 15, S. Petrov
- Number 10, G. Minchev
- Number 14, G. Rusev
- Number 12, I. Minchev
- Number 23, I. Dyulgerov
- Number 21, S. Vutsov
- Number 19, A. Ahmedov , Yellow Card at 78 minutes
- Number 2, E. Tombak
away team, Northern Ireland
Manager: Michael O'Neill
Formation: 3 - 4 - 3
Pitch Formation
1, Peacock-Farrell, Goalkeeper
4, Ballard, Defender
17, McNair, Defender
22, Brown, Defender
5, Hume, Midfielder
19, Shea Charles, Midfielder
6, Saville, Midfielder
3, Lewis, Midfielder
2, Bradley, Striker
10, Dion Charles, Striker
14, Price, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, B. Peacock-Farrell
- Number 22, C. Brown
- Number 17, P. McNair , Yellow Card at 29 minutes, substituted for C. Marshall at 73 minutes
- Number 4, D. Ballard
- Number 3, J. Lewis
- Number 6, G. Saville , substituted for P. Smyth at 73 minutes
- Number 19, S. Charles , Yellow Card at 27 minutes
- Number 5, T. Hume , Captain, Yellow Card at 81 minutes, substituted for R. McCausland at 83 minutes
- Number 14, I. Price , substituted for A. McCann at 82 minutes
- Number 10, D. Charles , substituted for S. Lavery at 59 minutes
- Number 2, C. Bradley , Yellow Card at 59 minutes
away team, Northern Ireland
- Number 23, J. Clarke
- Number 13, C. Evans
- Number 20, E. Galbraith
- Number 9, S. Lavery
- Number 15, B. Lyons
- Number 21, J. Magennis
- Number 8, C. Marshall
- Number 16, A. McCann
- Number 7, R. McCausland
- Number 11, P. Smyth
- Number 12, L. Southwood
- Number 18, E. Toal
home team, Bulgaria
Manager: Ilian Iliev
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Mitov, Goalkeeper
16, Popov, Defender
3, Atanasov, Defender
5, Petkov, Defender
13, Nürnberger, Defender
7, Kostadinov, Defensive Midfielder
4, Gruev, Defensive Midfielder
11, Despodov, Attacking Midfielder
17, Minchev, Attacking Midfielder
8, Kirilov, Attacking Midfielder
9, Kolev, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, D. Mitov
- Number 13, F. Nürnberger , Yellow Card at 90 minutes plus 1
- Number 5, A. Petkov
- Number 3, Z. Atanasov
- Number 16, V. Popov
- Number 4, I. Gruev
- Number 7, G. Kostadinov , substituted for S. Petrov at 78 minutes
- Number 8, R. Kirilov , substituted for Z. Dimitrov at 72 minutes
- Number 17, M. Minchev , substituted for V. Panayotov at 72 minutes
- Number 11, K. Despodov , Captain, substituted for S. Ivanov at 78 minutes
- Number 9, A. Kolev , Yellow Card at 90 minutes plus 3, substituted for A. Ahmedov at 63 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 6, V. Antov
- Number 22, S. Ivanov
- Number 18, V. Panayotov
- Number 20, Z. Dimitrov
- Number 15, S. Petrov
- Number 10, G. Minchev
- Number 14, G. Rusev
- Number 12, I. Minchev
- Number 23, I. Dyulgerov
- Number 21, S. Vutsov
- Number 19, A. Ahmedov , Yellow Card at 78 minutes
- Number 2, E. Tombak
away team, Northern Ireland
Manager: Michael O'Neill
Formation: 3 - 4 - 3
Pitch Formation
1, Peacock-Farrell, Goalkeeper
4, Ballard, Defender
17, McNair, Defender
22, Brown, Defender
5, Hume, Midfielder
19, Shea Charles, Midfielder
6, Saville, Midfielder
3, Lewis, Midfielder
2, Bradley, Striker
10, Dion Charles, Striker
14, Price, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, B. Peacock-Farrell
- Number 22, C. Brown
- Number 17, P. McNair , Yellow Card at 29 minutes, substituted for C. Marshall at 73 minutes
- Number 4, D. Ballard
- Number 3, J. Lewis
- Number 6, G. Saville , substituted for P. Smyth at 73 minutes
- Number 19, S. Charles , Yellow Card at 27 minutes
- Number 5, T. Hume , Captain, Yellow Card at 81 minutes, substituted for R. McCausland at 83 minutes
- Number 14, I. Price , substituted for A. McCann at 82 minutes
- Number 10, D. Charles , substituted for S. Lavery at 59 minutes
- Number 2, C. Bradley , Yellow Card at 59 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 23, J. Clarke
- Number 13, C. Evans
- Number 20, E. Galbraith
- Number 9, S. Lavery
- Number 15, B. Lyons
- Number 21, J. Magennis
- Number 8, C. Marshall
- Number 16, A. McCann
- Number 7, R. McCausland
- Number 11, P. Smyth
- Number 12, L. Southwood
- Number 18, E. Toal
- Referee:
- Anastasios Sidiropoulos
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Angelos Evangelou
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Polychronis Kostaras
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Lazaros Dimitriadis
- Fourth Official:
- Vasilis Fotias
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Ioannis Papadopoulos
Match Officials
Match Stats
Key, Bulgaria v N. IrelandOverall Possession
Shots
Bulgaria 9Northern Ireland 8Shots on target
Bulgaria 3Northern Ireland 3Shots off target
Bulgaria 4Northern Ireland 4Blocked shots
Bulgaria 2Northern Ireland 1Total touches in the box
Bulgaria 15Northern Ireland 13Goalkeeper saves
Bulgaria 3Northern Ireland 2Fouls
Bulgaria 19Northern Ireland 12Corners
Bulgaria 2Northern Ireland 4Season so far
UEFA Nations League
Key, Bulgaria v N. Ireland
Goals scored
Bulgaria 3Northern Ireland 11Goals conceded
Bulgaria 6Northern Ireland 3Shots
Bulgaria 44Northern Ireland 59Shots on target
Bulgaria 23Northern Ireland 28Shots off target
Bulgaria 21Northern Ireland 31Blocked shots
Bulgaria 10Northern Ireland 9Passing accuracy %
Bulgaria 78.82Northern Ireland 79.98Points dropped from a winning position
Bulgaria 2Northern Ireland 2Form guide
All competitions
Bulgaria draw
v Belarus
0
0
UEFA Nations League
Northern Ireland won
v Luxembourg
2
0
UEFA Nations League
Bulgaria draw
v Slovenia
1
1
Friendlies
Northern Ireland won
v Andorra
2
0
Friendlies
Bulgaria draw
v Romania
0
0
Friendlies
Northern Ireland lose
v Spain
5
1
Friendlies
Bulgaria draw
v Azerbaijan
1
1
Friendlies
Northern Ireland won
v Scotland
0
1
Friendlies
Bulgaria won
v Tanzania
0
1
Friendlies
Northern Ireland draw
v Romania
1
1
Friendlies
Previous meetings
All competitions
Bulgaria and Northern IrelandBulgaria Won 5Northern Ireland Won 2Draw 2
Played
9
Previous scores
All competitions
UEFA World Cup Qualifiers
Bulgaria 2 , Northern Ireland 1 on the 12th of October 2021
Bulgaria
Northern Ireland
12th of October 2021
Northern Ireland 0 , Bulgaria 0 on the 31st of March 2021
Northern Ireland
Bulgaria
31st of March 2021
Friendlies
Northern Ireland 0 , Bulgaria 1 on the 6th of February 2008
Northern Ireland
Bulgaria
6th of February 2008
- Skip back to previous scores
- Skip back to previous meetings
- Skip back to form guide
- Skip back to season so far
Match Facts
Bulgaria have won three of their four previous home games against Northern Ireland (L1), most recently in a World Cup qualifier in October 2021 (2-1).
Northern Ireland are winless in their last five meetings with Bulgaria (D1 L4), since a 2-0 win at Windsor Park in May 1979 thanks to goals from Chris Nicholl and Gerry Armstrong.
Bulgaria are winless in their last five home games in all competitions (D2 L3), since beating Gibraltar 5-1 in the 2022 UEFA Nations League – the Lions last went six without victory on home turf between September 2010 and May 2012.
Northern Ireland have won just one of their last 10 competitive away internationals (D1 L8), beating then bottom of the FIFA rankings San Marino 2-0 in March 2023.
Bulgaria haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 home internationals (16 goals conceded), with their last shutout on home soil coming back in September 2021 in a 1-0 win over Lithuania. The last time they had a longer run without a clean sheet at home was in June 1932 (15 games).
Following 2-0 victories over both Andorra and Luxembourg, Northern Ireland will be aiming to win three consecutive internationals for the first time since September 2019 (a run of five).
Northern Ireland created 2.14 xG and attempted 14 shots in their win over Luxembourg last time out, despite only having 36.5% possession in the game. Indeed, their opponents didn’t manage a single shot on target for a second consecutive game (0 v Luxembourg and Andorra).
Kiril Despodov has been directly involved in six goals in his last seven appearances for Bulgaria (four goals and two assists), although he’s failed to score or assist in any of his five international games against British/Northern Irish sides to date (five appearances).