Bulgaria 1-2 Ireland
Ireland are halfway to Nations League B safety after a comeback 2-1 win away to Bulgaria in Thursday's playoff first leg.
Rarely has the phrase "game of two halves" been more apt but Ireland and Heimir Hallgrímsson are unlikely to care after taking a crucial win in Plovdiv.
An early goal from Marin Petkov will have had alarm bells ringing for Ireland fans, bringing back memories of disastrous away days in Eastern Europe in days gone by.
However, it was not long before Finn Azaz levelled things up with his first international goal, and Matt Doherty's brave header just before half-time was ultimately enough to carry Ireland to victory on the night.
After the back-and-forth of the first half, a stunted, scrappy second half played out, with the Boys in Green showing their grit to see out a pivotal win.
Azaz was one of two particularly excellent Irish performers on the night though, in truth, it was hard to judge on much other than the first half given how interrupted the second period was. Across the board, it was a performance that Hallgrímsson will surely be largely pleased with.
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Bulgaria v Ireland: Player ratings
Caoimhín Kelleher - 6
20 March 2025; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after conceding a first goal during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 1st Leg match between Bulgaria and Republic of Ireland at Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Couldn't have done much more for Marin Petkov's opener.
Bulgaria mustered little of note to threaten the Irish goal, though Kelleher batted away most efforts that came his way.
Robbie Brady - 8
His deliveries into the box were threatening as always and his cross for Azaz's goal was superb. Looked sharper than several Irish teammates in the opening stages.
Took a hefty knock to the head early in the second half but was thankfully able to bravely play on - albeit with some unfortunate damage clearly done to his bloodied nose.
Alongside Azaz, the standout performer for Ireland on the night, as he dictated the tempo down the left-hand-side where much of the Ireland threat came from.
Dara O'Shea - 6.5
Could possibly have imposed himself better for Petkov's opener.
Calmer on the ball than his centre-half partner, not for the first time. Delivered some nice passes through the lines in the first half, and continued to seek them out in the second.
Solid block with 20 minutes to go from a long-range effort.
Nathan Collins - 5.5
Collins displays nerves (or risk-taking, take your pick) on the ball with Ireland which we rarely see in a Brentford jersey.
Clumsy clearance after 12 minutes put Ireland under unnecessary pressure. Did the same shortly before half-time, giving Bulgaria their first meaningful effort on goal since their early strike.
If he is nervy on the ball, Collins remains reliable in defensive situations.
Unlikely not to score a sliding goal from Parrott's cross just after 30 minutes.
Matt Doherty - 7
The ball from Josh Cullen 😮💨
The bravery and header from Matt Doherty 💪
Another delightful goal has Ireland in front at the break ☘️pic.twitter.com/9SWJ3uolRg
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 20, 2025
Silly foul after overhitting a pass on 13 minutes. He was unpredictable on the ball, simultaneously coming up with tidy passes and interceptions while also dwelling on the ball and refusing to get forward at points.
Got forward in superb style to head home just before half-time and put Ireland in front. His passing game was impressively composed as Ireland controlled the game in the second half.
Quietly one of Doherty's best performances for Ireland in quite some time.
Josh Cullen - 7
His frustrating rushed clearance straight out of play after a quarter of an hour summed up Ireland's lack of composure immediately after Bulgaria's opener.
Like many of his teammates, he quickly settled after Ireland equalised, and his pass for Doherty's goal was simply superb.
His combative presence in midfield was invaluable in a scrappy, stop-start second-half, during which he was arguably the best player in green.
Jason Knight - 5
20 March 2025; Jason Knight of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 1st Leg match between Bulgaria and Republic of Ireland at Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Largely anonymous in the first half.
Won a tidy free-kick early in the second but remained the most ineffective player in green. Lasted nearly 80 minutes before being withdrawn for debutant Rocco Vata.
Finn Azaz - 8
What a well worked goal from Ireland, with Brady, Parrott and Azaz showing their quality 👏
Brilliant cross from Brady to find Parrott who was so composed in tee'ing up Azazpic.twitter.com/oPTIuDQjlY
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 20, 2025
Deserved his maiden goal after 20 minutes after keeping a cool head with his attacking play early on.
He was involved in everything that went through central areas in the first half and Bulgaria appeared unable to deal with his creativity and clever use of physicality.
Enjoyed less time on the ball in the scrappy second half but was still inventive whenever it came to him.
Ryan Manning - 6
A strange call on the left wing to begin with and seemed understandably confused by his role in the system at times. Nonetheless had some pleasant moments of link-up play with Brady as Ireland settled after the Bulgarian opener.
Used his physicality really well in the second half to win several free-kicks. Quietly better than what we've seen from him in an Ireland shirt hitherto.
Troy Parrott - 6.5
Struggled against the physicality of the Bulgarian centre-halves early on. However, he more than proved why he was chosen to start with a delightful knockdown for Azaz to score Ireland's equaliser.
Grew into the game significantly as the game went on and began to dictate much of Ireland's attacking play with his link-up play with Brady, dragging the Bulgarian defence to and fro.
Largely anonymous as both sides struggled to get into attacking positions in a broken up second half but, for the most part, didn't put a foot wrong.
Mikey Johnston - 6
20 March 2025; Matt Doherty of Republic of Ireland, centre, celebrates with teammates Troy Parrott, right, and Mikey Johnston after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 1st Leg match between Bulgaria and Republic of Ireland at Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Similar to Parrott, struggled to impose himself in the opening stages. Had little impact on the ball in the first half-hour, but won a corner well on 31 minutes with his pressure on the Bulgarian backline.
Drove forward really well and used his skill to earn a corner in the final 20 minutes. His trickery began to have more effect against a tiring Bulgarian defence.
Substitutes
Evan Ferguson (for Troy Parrott, 75') - 5
Immediately looked for the ball with impetus. Maybe Evan Ferguson might just need something to prove.
Mark Sykes (for Mikey Johnston, 75') - 5
Produced a superb touch and lovely link-up play with Rocco Vata in the closing stages, winning a free-kick.
Jack Taylor (for Finn Azaz, 75') - 5
Intervened well when Bulgaria threatened in the final ten minutes.
Rocco Vata (for Jason Knight, 79') - 5
Wonderful to see him line out for the senior team, though his first action as an Ireland player was to concede a clumsy free-kick. Had a lovely moment of link-up play with Sykes down the right which produced a free-kick.
Should have laid off the ball for Evan Ferguson or Josh Cullen in injury time with Ireland in search of a third.
Jake O'Brien (for Ryan Manning, 79') - 5
Had little to do but posed a physical threat from set pieces.
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