Bulgaria 1-2 Ireland
Hello, and welcome to this evening’s liveblog.
It’s been a low-key build-up to this game and the enthusiasm in Plodiv does not seem high, with only around 5,000 fans expected tonight.
The match features two sides who have often flattered to deceive, with both regularly struggling to score at international level.
Ireland, as the team looking to avoid relegation rather than gain promotion, are perhaps slight favourites over two legs.
However, given their underwhelming form under Heimir Hallgrímsson and before him, it is hard to tip the Boys in Green for success with any real conviction.
But there is no doubt a win and ultimately avoiding relegation would be a significant morale boost, even against a Bulgarian side who look similarly out of sorts and whose coach’s resignation offer was reportedly rejected a couple of weeks ago.
Kick-off tonight is at 7.45pm.
Confirmation of Ireland’s starting XI, with the inclusion of Ryan Manning the biggest surprise…
STARTING XI | Bulgaria v Ireland
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 20, 2025
Troy Parrott, Mikey Johnston, Finn Azaz and Ryan Manning all start for Ireland in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League play-off 👏
Nathan Collins © with kick-off at 7.45pm (9.45pm local time) this evening 🇮🇪
Come on Ireland 💚 pic.twitter.com/blA8y8hwM0
We’re underway…
2 mins: It’s been a decent start by Ireland.
Manning finds himself in a promising position out wide but his cross goes straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.
5 mins: Azaz’s deep cross finds Manning at the far post.
However, the Southampton star’s header is straight at the goalkeeper.
BULGARIA 1-0 IRELAND (PETKOV 6)
Bulgaria go ahead slightly against the run of play.
A lovely backheel from Krastev on the edge of the area creates space and Petkov’s clinical finish goes in off the post.
It’s a nice goal but the Irish defence afforded him far too much space.
14 mins: Collins’ attempted clearance falls to Despodov.
However, the skipper’s strike is straight at Kelleher.
After a promising start, Ireland are on the ropes
16 mins: Azaz’s cross finds the onrushing Manning.
But it’s a difficult chance and the Galway native can’t direct his header on target.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
After an easy save for the Bulgarian keeper from a Manning header, Bulgaria regain possession and Petkov puts the home side one ahead in the 5th minute.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2025
🇧🇬 1-0 🇮🇪
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IRELAND 1-1 BULGARIA (AZAZ 21)
Ireland are level thanks to Finn Azaz’s first international goal.
Brady’s cross finds Parrott, who does well to volley it across goal and Azaz is in the right place for an easy tap-in.
Here’s a look at the equaliser…
First senior international goal for Finn Azaz. Heads it into an empty net from a well controlled touch by Troy Parrott to put Ireland back on terms.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2025
🇧🇬 1-1 🇮🇪
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29 mins: Bulgaria break and Petkov threatens to score his second of the night.
But Collins gets a good block in to avert the danger.
32 mins: Penalty claims for Bulgaria as Despodov goes down in the area under a challenge from Manning.
But the Bulgaria player is penalised for a hand ball in the build-up.
Down the other end, Johnston plays Parrott through with a quick free quick.
The AZ player’s cross-shot misses the sliding Collins by inches and goes wide.
38 mins: Brady nearly finds Parrott with an incisive through pass.
But the Bulgaria player does well to make the interception and stop another threatening Ireland attack.
40 mins: Collins gives the ball away in a dangerous area.
Kelleher consequently has to be alert to make the save from Nedyalkov’s low shot.
BULGARIA 1-2 IRELAND (DOHERTY 42)
There was some doubt over whether Doherty would start tonight but he’s justified his selection in an instant.
Cullen plays a lovely crossfield pass for the Wolves man and he beats the goalkeeper Mitov to the ball with a brave header.
He gets a punch to his head from the ‘keeper as he scores but seems to be okay.
HALF-TIME: BULGARIA 1-2 IRELAND
Half-time and it’s been a fairly encouraging half from an Irish perspective.
The visitors went behind against the run of play thanks in part to some hesitant defending that Petkov capitalised on with a fine finish.
However, Hallgrímsson’s side recovered from this setback and scored two good goals by Azaz and Doherty, both of which stemmed from well-executed cross-field balls from Brady and Cullen respectively.
Bulgaria look like a team who are there for the taking and struggling with morale owing to their well-documented off-field issues.
So if Ireland can maintain their first-half performance level, they should have enough to travel back to Dublin with a first-leg advantage.
Here’s a look at the Doherty goal…
Matt Doherty saw his chance and took it to head Ireland into the lead just before the break, while also taking a bit of a knock from the keeper who goes down
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2025
🇧🇬 1-2 🇮🇪
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The second half has begun…
Bulgaria’s goalkeeper Mitov looked less than convincing in that first half.
Iliev has replaced him at the break.
47 mins: Azaz has been harshly booked for shrugging his Bulgarian opponent off the ball.
He was arguably Ireland’s best player in that first half.
Another soft yellow for Ireland as Johnston goes in the book.
There was a stray arm but Nürnberger went down very easily.
52 mins: There’s been a nasty clash of heads involving Brady and Kraev.
The Ireland player has come off worse but will hopefully be alright to continue
60 mins: Kraev has just been booked for a rash challenge on Knight.
It leaves Ireland with a free kick in a promising wide position.
But Brady’s delivery is touched well wide, with the referee deeming that Collins got the last touch.
63 mins: Atanasov clatters into O’Shea in the area from a Doherty throw-in.
But the referee ignores Ireland’s protests and instead awards Bulgaria a free-kick for a separate later incident.
72 mins: Bulgaria make a double change
Petkov and Nürnberger are off.
Kraev and Minkov are on.
75 mins: Ireland make a triple change.
Johnston, Parrott and Azaz are off.
Ferguson, Sykes and Taylor are on.
78 minutes: Ireland have defended pretty well so far in this second half.
Bulgaria have had plenty of possession without creating much.
79 mins: Ireland make a double change.
Vata and O’Brien replace Knight and Manning.
Looks like Doherty will play left-back now with O’Brien on the right and Brady further forward.
82 mins: Petkov gets away from Doherty and Brady.
However, O’Shea is in the right place to make a timely interception.
85 mins: Two more Bulgaria changes.
Iliev and Nikolov come on.
Krastev and Kraev go off.
88 mins: Ireland get a free kick in a great wide position but Brady hits it wastefully off target.
His set-piece delivery has been mixed tonight.
90 mins: Ireland break but Vata misplaces a pass intended for Ferguson.
A third goal would really put Ireland in control of this tie.
90 mins: Another promising break.
But Vata dwells on it this time and loses the ball.
Down the other end, Kraev finds himself in a promising position but his attempt is well off target.
As I type, Minkov is lucky to avoid a red for a poor high challenge on Ferguson.
FULL-TIME: BULGARIA 1-2 IRELAND
So that’s that.
A decent win under the circumstances.
Ireland played relatively well, getting two good goals in the first half with the early concession the only real black mark against them.
The second half was not a pretty watch.
Bulgaria had plenty of possession but created little, thanks in part to a well-organised Irish backline.
The visitors also had a few half-chances and look the most likely to score.
Heimir Hallgrímsson will be pleased with his side’s performance overall and should feel relatively optimistic ahead of Sunday’s second leg at the Aviva Stadium.
Watching Jose and pogba, will be more entertaining than the football .
@Liam Neeson: it’s all going to plan for Jose.
C’mon you irons#.
Ahahahahahahahahahaha pmsl
@Tuot tuot: why are you laughing at a british club? Another case of my british club is better than your british club
@Paul: nearly as bad as you commenting on a British club thread.
@John: or commenting on somebody commenting …eh John
@Paul: and there is you speaking the queens english and probably watch English TV and use things made in Britain too.
Give over you pleb
@Colin Ahern: I guess he also only supports irish home grown music and none of that foreign stuff too.
@Paul: Oh give over.it has always been this way and always will be.
Pogba is at a stage where he doesn’t really care. He is on crazy money and his reputation after winning the world cup is an all time high. Maybe not witj fans but for Barcelona, real Madrid and psg boards he’s still worth 100 million. He could feasibly play poorly for years and swap between top clubs and earn the same money.
@Murf T Will: I was with you right up until the playing poorly for years bit. No one’s reputation is bullet proof! Just look at the likes of Torres, Rooney etc.
@Murf T Will: Rooney played poorly for years with United. He definitely milked it. They only shipped him out because he couldn’t run anymore.
@Murf T Will: Yeah – with United. Then he moved to Everton didn’t he? It’s not like he’s been bouncing around the top clubs whilst playing poorly on the strength of his good reputation as you claim Pogba might.
@Murf T Will: It was his reputation and nationality that kept him at United.
@I’m not wavy gravy: Yea Torres bounced from Liverpool to Chelsea to Atletico. Not really a dip in standard.
@Hugh Jass: I see your point but Chelsea to Athletico was a huge drop in standard for Torres! Do you not remember how good he was at Liverpool? He’s lucky there was so much love for him at AM or he’d have been thrown into mid-table obscurity.
@Murf T Will: And as soon as it was time to move clubs where did he go? Everton then Galaxy. Your original claim was that Pogba can play poorly for years and still secure high profile moves to the likes of Barca and Real Madrid. That’s clearly not the case.
@Murf T Will: Yeah. Obviously with age you will move to lesser clubs with physical ability weakening. Up until 30 to 32 pogba will circulate the top clubs.
@Murf T Will: And if he transfers to a club like spurs within that time I’ll personally go into your bank and pay off your mortgage.
@Murf T Will: Haha alright, deal. I’ll meet you back here in ten years and we’ll see who’s right.
Hope Rice has good game!
@Magnum: Hes had a cracking game Magnum
But but but but
Not good enough. I thought Jose would have till January to turn it around but I’m not so sure now
I”m getting sick of this, nobody fears man Utd anymore and by the looks of it, with good reason. Bottom of table clubs will be looking to take a point as a minimum and hope to take 3. Tough season ahead, top 4 looking dodgy for sure.
Hammers well worth their 2-0 lead. So much negativity surrounding the club ,players and manager. Score line doesn’t surprise me.In saying that I think it’s Woodward that needs to take a step back and let someone else take the reigns. He is a very astute businessman but not a Chief Executive.
@Johnny Bravo: so it’s Woodwards fault United are 2 nil down to a team that have only own a single league game this season?
@Gareth Keenan: He has been more or less head of the decision making in the last few years , so if you like yea he should shoulder some of the blame for today’s game and more. Does that explain it for you
@Johnny Bravo: no it doesn’t actually. Manager and players are responsible for what happens on the pitch.
@Gareth Keenan’: who’s responsible for putting them there in the first place I ask you !
haha such a crap performance again today from.the once mighty now shitey man United.Total laughing stock of a club from the manager down to the very poor egotistical players they have.Mourinho to stay on hopefully .They deserve each other .
@Michael cunnane: Micheal comeback when you’ve actually won something. Good lad
@Michael cunnane: Nearly as bad as Spurs performance at home to Liverpool! Scoreline flattered Spurs, should have been 5!
@Michael cunnane: whereas Spuds have been shitey since the days of Ricky Villa and Ardiles
@Michael cunnane: sorry you probably don’t know who they are
@David Carino: Hahahahahahahaha 3-0 we outclassed ye at old crappord.Have that .Spurs light years ahead of United.Wakey wakey
@Michael cunnane: yes so far ahead I can’t see because of the shine coming out of your Trophy drawer .
So 2-0. Everything going to plan with Paul and Jose
Give Smalling and Shaw a pay rise! 4 million a year is nowhere near enough for this level of mediocre, overhyped talent. This is what I spend my hard earned barstooler euro on, so you better sort it Woodward!… Sure, it’s the best league in the world!