Match report

Rep. Of Ireland 2–1 Bulgaria: UEFA Nations League

Bulgaria
Bulgaria
1–2
FT
Rep. Of Ireland
Rep. Of Ireland
Mar 20, 2025

Rep. Of Ireland secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Bulgaria in their UEFA Nations League match. The Irish team turned the game around after conceding early to Bulgaria's M. Petkov. Goals by F. Azaz and Matt Doherty were crucial in securing the win for the Irish squad.

Key Facts

  • • Bulgaria took the early lead through M. Petkov at minute 6
  • • F. Azaz equalized for Rep. Of Ireland at minute 21
  • • Matt Doherty's goal secured the win for Rep. Of Ireland at minute 42
  • • Bulgaria had two substitutions in the 72nd minute to boost their attack
  • • Rep. Of Ireland made multiple substitutions in the 76th and 79th minutes to maintain their momentum

Lineups

Bulgaria

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Mitov (G)
  • 14 A. Nedyalkov (D)
  • 3 Z. Atanasov (D)
  • 5 A. Petkov (D)
  • 19 F. Nürnberger (D)
  • 16 M. Petkov (M)
  • 8 A. Kraev (M)
  • 4 I. Gruev (M)
  • 11 K. Despodov (M)
  • 20 F. Krastev (F)
  • 21 L. Petkov (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 P. Iliev
  • 17 N. Minkov
  • 10 B. Kraev
  • 9 V. Nikolov
  • 22 I. Iliev
  • 13 S. Shopov
  • 18 V. Panayotov
  • 7 R. Kirilov
  • 12 D. Sheytanov
  • 15 S. Petrov
  • 6 V. Antov

Rep. Of Ireland

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 C. Kelleher (G)
  • 2 M. Doherty (D)
  • 22 N. Collins (D)
  • 4 D. O'Shea (D)
  • 11 R. Brady (D)
  • 21 M. Johnston (M)
  • 8 J. Knight (M)
  • 6 J. Cullen (M)
  • 3 R. Manning (M)
  • 7 F. Azaz (F)
  • 15 T. Parrott (F)

Substitutes

  • 9 E. Ferguson
  • 18 J. Taylor
  • 13 M. Sykes
  • 14 R. Vata
  • 5 J. O'Brien
  • 20 J. Abankwah
  • 16 G. Bazunu
  • 12 J. Dunne
  • 19 S. Armstrong
  • 17 A. Moran
  • 10 A. Idah
  • 23 M. Travers

Timeline

  1. Bulgaria
    6' Bulgaria Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Petkov · Assist: F. Krastev
  2. Rep. Of Ireland
    21' Rep. Of Ireland Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Azaz · Assist: T. Parrott
  3. Rep. Of Ireland
    42' Rep. Of Ireland Goal · Normal Goal
    Matt Doherty · Assist: J. Cullen
  4. Bulgaria
    46' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Dimitar Mitov · On: P. Iliev
  5. Rep. Of Ireland
    47' Rep. Of Ireland Card · Yellow Card
    F. Azaz

    Foul

  6. Rep. Of Ireland
    51' Rep. Of Ireland Card · Yellow Card
    Michael Johnston

    Foul

  7. Bulgaria
    59' Bulgaria Card · Yellow Card
    A. Kraev

    Foul

  8. Rep. Of Ireland
    61' Rep. Of Ireland Card · Yellow Card
    Jason Knight

    Argument

  9. Bulgaria
    72' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Fabian Nürnberger · On: Nikolay Minkov
  10. Bulgaria
    72' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Petkov · On: Bozhidar Kraev
  11. Rep. Of Ireland
    76' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Parrott · On: E. Ferguson
  12. Rep. Of Ireland
    76' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 2
    Off: F. Azaz · On: Jack Taylor
  13. Rep. Of Ireland
    76' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Michael Johnston · On: M. Sykes
  14. Rep. Of Ireland
    79' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Jason Knight · On: R. Vata
  15. Rep. Of Ireland
    79' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Manning · On: Jake O'Brien
  16. Rep. Of Ireland
    81' Rep. Of Ireland Card · Yellow Card
    R. Vata

    Foul

  17. Bulgaria
    85' Bulgaria Card · Yellow Card
    A. Nedyalkov

    Foul

  18. Bulgaria
    85' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Kraev · On: V. Nikolov
  19. Bulgaria
    85' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 5
    Off: F. Krastev · On: I. Iliev
  20. Bulgaria
    90'+5 Bulgaria Card · Yellow Card
    Nikolay Minkov

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Bulgaria Rep. Of Ireland
Fouls 21 10
Pass Accuracy 83% 79%
Offsides — —
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 7 12
Corners 2 3
Total Passes 509 395
Yellow Cards 4 4
Blocked Shots 3 2
Shots on Target 3 3
xG — —
Shots off Target 1 7
Possession 56% 44%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 423 312
Shots Inside Box 3 11
Saves 1 2
Shots Outside Box 4 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ F. Azaz's equalizing goal at minute 21 changed the momentum of the match
  • ▸ Matt Doherty's goal in the 42nd minute gave Rep. Of Ireland the lead, a crucial turning point in the game