Ireland survived an early scare to secure a well-earned 2-1 win against Bulgaria in tonight's UEFA Nations League play-off first leg encounter at the Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv.
The home side scored with their first attack of the game as Marin Petkov’s fine finish put Bulgaria ahead with just six minutes on the clock.
But Ireland regrouped, started to dominate proceedings, and were rewarded with two first-half goals as Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty put the visitors ahead before the break.
A scrappy second half would follow as Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side never looked in danger of relinquishing the lead in this two-legged relegation/promotion play-off.
It was actually a bright start from Heimier Hallgrimsson’s side, passing with real forward intent with Mikey Johnson and Azaz showing well on the right and through the middle, while Ryan Manning and Robbie Brady were working well on the left flank, the former playing the more advanced roll.
And it was Ireland who had the first look at goal as Manning arrived at back post to connect with Azaz’s searching cross helping it on target but lacking power.
But Bulgaria shocked the visitors and scored with their first foray into the Ireland half, and it was an incredible team goal with five players involved.
Starting out on the left as Kiril Despodov scooped a clever ball into the path of Fabian Nuernberger before Lukas Petkov and Filip Krastev linked up brilliantly with a smart backheel falling perfectly for Petkov to place it right into the corner to beat the keeper.
Caoimhin Kelleher was at full stretch to his left, but the ball clipped the inside of the post and eventually crossed the line.
Bulgaria were buoyed by the goal, putting Ireland off their game, and they came again in the 13th minute, putting pressure on the Ireland defence leading to a snapshot from Despodov, but this time the keeper was right behind it.
In the 17th minute, Ireland went back on the attack as Johnston cut inside, before sliding Azaz down the right flank; his arrowed cross was met by a flying Manning header, but he could not direct it on goal.
Robbie Brady’s set-piece three minutes later caused a moment of panic inside the box, however, the home side eventually scrambled clear.
But it was better from Ireland, and a minute later they were level, as Azaz was on hand to help the ball home from just a couple of yards out.
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.
🇧🇬 1-1 🇮🇪
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A clever switch of play allowed Brady time to slam a probing cross deep past the back post, where Parrott arrived right on cue to calmly cushion the ball back across the face, and it was the easiest of tasks for Azaz to help the ball into the back of the net.
In the 34th minute, Collins almost doubled the lead, as Ireland worked a clever free kick behind the wall for Parrott to race onto.
The striker dragged his shot across the face and Collins arrived just a split second too late and unable to make contact.
Bulgaria were still playing with a strong sense of confidence and working tirelessly to pin Ireland back with a relentless high press, forcing Collins to make a poor pass that was not punished by Anton Nedyalkov’s snapshot.
But for all their front-foot pressure, it left space to exploit, and Ireland seized the initiative with four minutes remaining in the half.
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
🇧🇬 1-2 🇮🇪
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Josh Cullen picked the ball up in space, which sparked Matt Doherty into life to make a darting run in off the right flank.
Spotted by Cullen, the delivery flawless, and the brave Wolves man kept eyes only on the ball to head past the advancing keeper who took a hit to the head as the ball flew into the back of the empty net to hand Ireland the half-time advantage.
Bulgaria were forced into a change at the break as the keeper, who took a blow from Doherty for the second goal, was replaced by Plamen Iliev.
A slow start to the second half with little action other than two quick yellow cards for Azaz and Johnston for being a touch over-exuberant with the arms while protecting the ball.
The game was then halted for a Brady head injury, the Dubliner coming off second best with man mountain Andrian Kraev, before the midfielder himself was cautioned for a clattering tackle on Knight.
Zhivko Atanasov was next in the book for chopping down Manning, while Knight was flashed one for a bit of dissent.
The scrappy affair continued deep into the half and it wasn’t until the 70th minute that the game sparked back into life as Ireland threatened twice from corners but were unable to work the ball on goal.
A triple substitution saw Evan Ferguson, Mark Sykes and Jack Taylor sent on for the final 20 minutes.
Rocco Vata was then sent on to make his international debut, while Jake O’Brien was also introduced.
Bulgaria finally got going as the game moved into the final ten minutes, winning a corner but unable to threaten.
Syjkes and Vata linked well in this rejigged eleven – Doherty was now playing a left-back – and won a free kick wide on the right in a good position to threaten the box.
Heimir Hallgrimsson salutes the travelling fans
Nothing from it, yet Ireland had a similar set-piece a moment later but again Brady’s usual pin-point accuracy was out of sync.
Into added time, Ireland broke into the Bulgaria half with Vata and Ferguson racing though with limited numbers behind the ball.
Ferguson pulled left to move into space but Vata opted to go it alone and got pushed wide as Bulgaria dealt with the late threat.
But that was as good as it got in the largely forgettable second half as Ireland saw out the injury time to take the victory and bring a one-goal advantage home for the second leg on Sunday.
Bulgaria: Dimitar Mitov (Plamen Iliev HT); Anton Nedyalkov, Fabian Nuernberger (Nikolay Minkov 72), Zhivko Atanasov, Alex Petkov; Ilia Gruev, Filip Krastev (Ilian Iliev 85), Lukas Petkov (Bozhidar Kraev 72), Kiril Despodov (capt); Andrian Kraev (Vladimir Nikolov 85), Marin Petkov
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Matt Doherty, Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins (capt), Ryan Manning (Jake O’Brien 79); Mikey Johnston (Mark Sykes 76), Josh Cullen, Finn Azaz (Jack Taylor 76), Jason Knight (Rocco Vata 79), Robbie Brady; Troy Parrott (Evan Ferguson 76)
Referee: Benoît Bastien (FRA)