Ireland 2-1 Bulgaria (Ireland lead 4-2 on aggregate)
23 Mar
7:15PM
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
After an encouraging 2-1 first-leg win, Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will be hoping to finish the job in Dublin tonight.
With their manager having offered to resign and enthusiastic levels of support, in contrast with Ireland, Bulgarian spirits don’t seem high going into this game.
Ireland will face a heavily changed starting lineup to the one they played in Plodiv with several individuals unavailable, so it remains to be seen whether the visitors will produce an improved performance after Thursday’s uninspired showing.
Hallgrímsson, meanwhile, will be hoping for more of the same from Ireland, as reflected by the fact that he has gone with a similar starting XI, making just two changes.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
23 Mar
7:18PM
Confirmation of tonight’s Ireland starting XI…
STARTING XI | Ireland v Bulgaria
Two changes for Ireland tonight as both Jake O'Brien and Evan Ferguson come into the starting XI following the 2-1 win in Plovdiv on Thursday 💚
Jonathan Sexton in attendance James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
23 Mar
7:56PM
10 mins: Brady puts in an inviting cross but Johnston can’t get a proper connection on his header.
Despite being behind on aggregate, Bulgaria have been happy to sit back so far.
23 Mar
8:00PM
14 mins: Ireland’s early momentum has stalled a little in recent minutes.
It’s notable that after a couple of mistakes in possession in the last game, Nathan Collins has opted for the less risky strategy of going long on more than one occasion.
23 Mar
8:03PM
17 mins: It’s still very stop-start with not much happening.
Bulgaria certainly look more comfortable after being on the ropes in the early stages.
23 Mar
8:06PM
21 mins: Lots of patient passing from both sides but little in the way of goalmouth action.
Kelleher has been a virtual spectator so far.
23 Mar
8:09PM
23 mins: After a nice flick-on from Doherty, Johnston makes a purposeful run forward.
However, the West Brom winger then badly overhits his through pass.
As I type, Parrott hits the post from close range after being picked out by Brady’s low cross.
The flag is up, seemingly for offside, so it wouldn’t have counted anyway.
Bulgaria make a rare foray into the Irish half and end up scoring.
From their first corner of the match taken by Kiril Despodov, a first-time shot by Georgi Milanov from the edge of the area deflects kindly for Antov, who slots home from close range.
23 Mar
8:20PM
35 mins: Close for Ireland!
Brady puts in another good delivery, with Parrott’s glancing header hitting the roof of the net.
Half-time and it’s been a disappointing 45 minutes from an Irish perspective.
The hosts started well and have created some decent chances but just haven’t had that killer instinct in front of goal.
Bulgaria barely threatened until the goal but have grown in confidence after a ropey start.
Ireland have had 59% possession with attempts on goal to Bulgaria’s two but Heimir Hallgrímsson will have plenty to ponder at the break.
You wonder whether he regrets making the changes to the starting XI — Ferguson has struggled to make an impact, Parrott has been less effective in a deeper role and Ireland have been less threatening down the left as they are not able to rely on the Brady-Manning combo that impressed in the first leg.
23 Mar
8:49PM
Unusually, the referee, Umut Meler, has had to withdraw from the game due to injury. The fourth official and fellow Turk, Mehmet Turkmen, will take his place.
Ireland's Evan Ferguson scores his side's first goal despite the best efforts of Valentin Antov of Bulgaria. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
23 Mar
9:24PM
74 mins: Ireland make a defensive change.
Evan Ferguson is replaced by Jimmy Dunne.
23 Mar
9:26PM
75 mins: Bulgaria make a double change.
Milanov and Petkov are off.
Krastev and Kirilov are on.
23 Mar
9:27PM
77 mins: Dunne slips through Idah, but the Celtic man drags his shot wide from a tricky angle.
He was ruled offside anyway.
23 Mar
9:29PM
78 minutes: Those changes mean Doherty now is playing at left-back with Dunne on the right.
Manning and Sykes are the two men in front of them.
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As it happened: Ireland v Bulgaria, Nations League playoff
Ireland 2-1 Bulgaria (Ireland lead 4-2 on aggregate)
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
After an encouraging 2-1 first-leg win, Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will be hoping to finish the job in Dublin tonight.
With their manager having offered to resign and enthusiastic levels of support, in contrast with Ireland, Bulgarian spirits don’t seem high going into this game.
Ireland will face a heavily changed starting lineup to the one they played in Plodiv with several individuals unavailable, so it remains to be seen whether the visitors will produce an improved performance after Thursday’s uninspired showing.
Hallgrímsson, meanwhile, will be hoping for more of the same from Ireland, as reflected by the fact that he has gone with a similar starting XI, making just two changes.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
Confirmation of tonight’s Ireland starting XI…
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Poll Results:
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3 mins: Mikey Johnston has made a lively start.
He plays a one-two with Azaz but the Bulgaria defender makes an important last-ditch challenge.
From the ensuing set piece, O’Brien’s header is well saved by the goalkeeper before Azaz has a shot from the edge of the area that goes narrowly wide.
6 mins: Brady’s low cross finds Ferguson, but the striker’s attempted shot is closed down.
The hosts have started on the front foot.
10 mins: Brady puts in an inviting cross but Johnston can’t get a proper connection on his header.
Despite being behind on aggregate, Bulgaria have been happy to sit back so far.
14 mins: Ireland’s early momentum has stalled a little in recent minutes.
It’s notable that after a couple of mistakes in possession in the last game, Nathan Collins has opted for the less risky strategy of going long on more than one occasion.
17 mins: It’s still very stop-start with not much happening.
Bulgaria certainly look more comfortable after being on the ropes in the early stages.
21 mins: Lots of patient passing from both sides but little in the way of goalmouth action.
Kelleher has been a virtual spectator so far.
23 mins: After a nice flick-on from Doherty, Johnston makes a purposeful run forward.
However, the West Brom winger then badly overhits his through pass.
As I type, Parrott hits the post from close range after being picked out by Brady’s low cross.
The flag is up, seemingly for offside, so it wouldn’t have counted anyway.
IRELAND 0-1 BULGARIA (ANTOV 30)
Bulgaria make a rare foray into the Irish half and end up scoring.
From their first corner of the match taken by Kiril Despodov, a first-time shot by Georgi Milanov from the edge of the area deflects kindly for Antov, who slots home from close range.
35 mins: Close for Ireland!
Brady puts in another good delivery, with Parrott’s glancing header hitting the roof of the net.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
39 mins: It’s not really happening for Evan Ferguson so far.
He miscontrols the ball as another Ireland attack breaks down.
The 20-year-old has looked a little sluggish at times, which is perhaps unsurprising given his lack of Premier League minutes.
43 mins: Ireland go close again!
O’Brien’s header from a Brady corner is cleared off the line by Bulgarian defender Petrov.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 0-1 BULGARIA
Half-time and it’s been a disappointing 45 minutes from an Irish perspective.
The hosts started well and have created some decent chances but just haven’t had that killer instinct in front of goal.
Bulgaria barely threatened until the goal but have grown in confidence after a ropey start.
Ireland have had 59% possession with attempts on goal to Bulgaria’s two but Heimir Hallgrímsson will have plenty to ponder at the break.
You wonder whether he regrets making the changes to the starting XI — Ferguson has struggled to make an impact, Parrott has been less effective in a deeper role and Ireland have been less threatening down the left as they are not able to rely on the Brady-Manning combo that impressed in the first leg.
Unusually, the referee, Umut Meler, has had to withdraw from the game due to injury. The fourth official and fellow Turk, Mehmet Turkmen, will take his place.
That means the game will resume at 8.55pm.
The second half has begun…
48 mins: Collins makes a timely interception at the back, but then plays a sloppy pass.
There are audible groans of frustration from the home crowd.
As I type, Parrott slips through Johnston but the winger blasts it wastefully wide from a tight angle when he had decent options in the box.
52 mins: Ferguson lays it to Johnston but the winger’s shot is charged down by a Bulgaria defender.
Ireland are starting to gain some attacking momentum now.
As I type, Brady’s free-kick is headed down by O’Brien for Azaz, but the Middlesbrough man fails to hit the target from the edge of the area.
55 mins: Parrott steals the ball off a Bulgaria defender and plays through Ferguson.
The West Ham loanee’s early shot is palmed away for a corner by Bulgaria goalkeeper Iliev.
57 mins: Nürnberger tests Kelleher with a shot from the edge of the area, but the Liverpool goalkeeper is equal to the task.
This game feels on a knife edge at the moment — not easy to predict how it will go.
60 mins: Bulgaria make a change.
Kraev is replaced by Nikolov.
IRELAND 1-1 BULGARIA (FERGUSON 63)
Ireland are level on the night and ahead on aggregate.
It’s a well-worked goal.
Evan Ferguson strides forward purposefully, plays a one-two with Finn Azaz, before blasting it home brilliantly.
Ireland then make a triple change.
Mikey Johnston, Robbie Brady and Troy Parrott are replaced by Adam Idah, Mark Sykes and Ryan Manning.
67 mins: Ireland are caught off guard by a Bulgaria short corner.
But Petkov proceeds to blast his low shot wide from a tight angle.
Here’s a look at the equaliser…
74 mins: Ireland make a defensive change.
Evan Ferguson is replaced by Jimmy Dunne.
75 mins: Bulgaria make a double change.
Milanov and Petkov are off.
Krastev and Kirilov are on.
77 mins: Dunne slips through Idah, but the Celtic man drags his shot wide from a tricky angle.
He was ruled offside anyway.
78 minutes: Those changes mean Doherty now is playing at left-back with Dunne on the right.
Manning and Sykes are the two men in front of them.
82 mins: Another change for Ireland.
Jack Taylor replaces Jason Knight to bring more energy to the midfield.
40,156 is announced as tonight’s official attendance.
IRELAND 2-1 BULGARIA (IDAH 84)
That’s surely game, set and match for Ireland.
Ireland counter and Sykes makes a strong run forward. He then crosses for fellow substitute Idah, who slots it home expertly at the back post.
89 mins: Bulgaria make a double change.
Gruev and Nürnberger go off
Iliev and Shopov come on.
There will be six minutes of stoppage time.
Troy Parrott has just been named player of the match.
93 mins: A corner falls to Kirilov at the far post.
But the Bulgaria substitutes can’t get a strong connection and his first-time shot is wayward.
Here’s the Idah goal…
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 2-1 BULGARIA
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
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