Ireland 2-1 Bulgaria (4-2 aggregate)
Eoin Harrington reporting from the Aviva Stadium
It was a touch nervier than we might have hoped but Ireland's Nations League B status is secure after they got over the line against Bulgaria in Dublin on Sunday night.
Heimir Hallgrímsson made two changes to the team which took a 2-1 win in Plovdiv on Thursday. Jake O'Brien replaced Dara O'Shea in the centre of defence, while Evan Ferguson replaced Ryan Manning.
Ireland had been far and away the better team for the opening half-hour but just could not find a way to the Bulgarian net. It felt almost inevitable when Valentin Antov fired home from close range after a mix up in the Irish box on 30 minutes, but it did not ease the sense of disbelief in the Aviva that such a poor team had taken the lead against Ireland for the second time in a week.
Valentin Antov gives Bulgaria the lead and puts them level on aggregate in the 30th minute.
🇮🇪 0-1🇧🇬
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📻 Listen live commentary - https://t.co/QAsF4Hdu49 #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/Bnz2opkGAP— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 23, 2025
For a time, Ireland lost their composure, and it threatened to become one of those nights on Lansdowne Road. However, Evan Ferguson would calm nerves with a brilliant finish just after 60 minutes to level things up on the night and put Ireland back in front on aggregrate.
A little one-two between Azaz and Ferguson, the latter finds the net for his fifth goal for Ireland.
🇮🇪 1-1 🇧🇬
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📻 Listen live commentary - https://t.co/QAsF4Hdu49 #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/D4VrHdRCUx— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 23, 2025
With just over five minutes to play, Ireland finally got the winner they (mostly) deserved on the balance of play. On the break, substitutes Mark Sykes and Adam Idah combined for a tidy goal which secured Ireland's victory on the night and in the tie.
Sykes makes a run on the left and crosses it to Adam Idah who pops it into the bottom left corner.
🇮🇪 2-1 🇧🇬
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📻 Listen live commentary - https://t.co/QAsF4Hdu49 #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/wSEJsJlC7p— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 23, 2025
There were several standouts in the Ireland team on a night when they ultimately ran out deserved winners, despite the unnecessary nerves.
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Ireland v Bulgaria: Player ratings from playoff second leg
Caoimhín Kelleher - 6.5
23 March 2025; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 2nd Leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Had absolutely nothing to do for the first 25 minutes. Rooted to the spot for the Bulgaria opener but little he could have done. Took a long-range shot from Nurnberger well just before the hour.
Didn't really put a foot wrong but he'll be frustrated to have conceded in both games.
Robbie Brady - 6.5
Once again the calmest Irish player on the ball and his deliveries into the box consistently threatened Bulgaria. They were the closest Ireland got to scoring in the first half. A sign of Brady's importance was how far up the pitch he was pushed when Ireland went behind.
Open play influence diminished early 2nd half with Ireland going more direct, and he was withdrawn after 65 minutes.
Nathan Collins - 5
Perhaps as a response to his clumsiness in Plovdiv, Collins took fewer risks on the ball in the first half. His long balls were not exactly incisive but he did not invite as much pressure on himself. Got mixed up with O'Brien for the Bulgaria goal.
The clumsiness returned in his passing early in the second half but he remained solid defensively.
Jake O'Brien - 5.5
23 March 2025; Jake O'Brien of Republic of Ireland heads on goal during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 2nd Leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Nearly scored his first international goal with a brilliant downward header after just three minutes - and another just three minutes before the break. He and Collins tripped over each other for the Bulgaria opener.
Matt Doherty - 5
Saw little of the ball in the first half and was wasteful when it did come his way.
Bulgaria enjoyed plenty of time on the ball down Doherty's flank in the second half.
Finn Azaz - 8
23 March 2025; Finn Azaz of Republic of Ireland in action against Ilia Gruev, left, and Nikolay Minkov of Bulgaria during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 2nd Leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Azaz was once again the most creative attacking force around the box for Ireland, and he appears to be quietly building an understanding with both Brady and Parrott. Direct chance creation was lacking despite his excellent control.
Delightful link-up play with Ferguson for Ireland's equaliser. His through ball was perfectly judged.
Once again the standout Irish player, and played an important role in Idah's winner with his perfect through ball to Sykes. A player Irish fans will rightly be quite excited about.
Josh Cullen - 5
Baited the Bulgarian press well during the first half and his close control allowed Ireland to progress.
His running off the ball was relentless but the game somewhat passed him by after the break.
Jason Knight - 5
More of Ireland's play went through Knight than it had on Thursday and he was generally calm on the ball. He struggled to move the ball forward in the first half and sometimes invited pressure. Booked on the cusp of half-time and struggled to impact the game early in the second half.
Redeemed himself late in the game with some energy-sapping runs and composure on the ball, before he was withdrawn for Taylor with just under ten to play.
Mikey Johnston - 4.5
Saw the ball more than in Plovdiv in the first half but his decision-making let him down on several occasions. Booked shortly before halftime and substituted shortly after Ireland's equaliser. His only meaningful second-half contribution was to blaze wide from a set piece.
Evan Ferguson - 8
23 March 2025; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson speaks with Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 2nd Leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ferguson brought a lot of energy, dropping deep and spraying passes crossfield on occasion. However, it's evident this is not where Ferguson feels at ease, and he struggled to get on the ball in the attacking areas where he would hope to do the most damage.
Pushed significantly further forward after half-time and the impact was immediate. Drove at the Bulgarian defence to create the opening for his own goal just after the hour - which he took excellently.
Received a warm reception leaving the pitch. Heimir needs to find a way to get Ferguson into those goalscoring areas more regularly.
Troy Parrott - 7
Parrott came the closest of any Irishman to scoring in the first half on two occasions and was central to their attacking play. There were hints that a good relationship is slowly brewing with Finn Azaz. Growing in confidence and composure with every appearance in green.
Once again linked up well after the break, this time with Ferguson, though Parrott will be frustrated to come away from this window without a goal.
Substitutes
Adam Idah (for Mikey Johnston, 65') - 7
Drove at the defence with more confidence than we've generally seen from him in an Ireland shirt. Showed composure and flair with his touches on the ball.
He more than deserved his tidy late goal. His finish was excellent and he had been the best Irish attacking player in the 20 or so minutes from his introduction.
Ryan Manning (for Robbie Brady, 65') - 5.5
Re-energised the left flank after Brady's withdrawal.
Mark Sykes (for Troy Parrott, 65') - 6
Pulled up for a harsh foul with 18 minutes to play. Played it smart to set up Idah's late winner.
Jimmy Dunne (for Evan Ferguson, 74') - 5
Finally got his well-deserved Ireland debut.
Jack Taylor (for Jason Knight, 82') - n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
