Match report

Rep. Of Ireland Defeats Bulgaria 2-1 in UEFA Nations League

Rep. Of Ireland
Rep. Of Ireland
2–1
FT
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Mar 23, 2025

Rep. Of Ireland staged a comeback to defeat Bulgaria 2-1 in a thrilling UEFA Nations League encounter. Bulgaria took an early lead through a goal from V. Antov, but E. Ferguson equalized in the second half. A. Idah's late goal secured the win for the Republic of Ireland, who held off a spirited Bulgarian response in the final minutes.

Key Facts

  • • Rep. Of Ireland 2-1 Bulgaria (UEFA Nations League)
  • • V. Antov (30') scored for Bulgaria
  • • E. Ferguson (63') equalized for Rep. Of Ireland
  • • A. Idah (84') scored the winning goal for Rep. Of Ireland
  • • Jason Knight and Michael Johnston were cautioned for Rep. Of Ireland
  • • I. Gruev, S. Petrov, and V. Nikolov were cautioned for Bulgaria

Lineups

Rep. Of Ireland

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 C. Kelleher (G)
  • 2 M. Doherty (D)
  • 22 N. Collins (D)
  • 5 J. O'Brien (D)
  • 11 R. Brady (D)
  • 21 M. Johnston (M)
  • 6 J. Cullen (M)
  • 8 J. Knight (M)
  • 7 F. Azaz (M)
  • 9 E. Ferguson (F)
  • 15 T. Parrott (F)

Substitutes

  • 10 A. Idah
  • 3 R. Manning
  • 13 M. Sykes
  • 12 J. Dunne
  • 18 J. Taylor
  • 19 S. Armstrong
  • 20 J. Abankwah
  • 17 A. Moran
  • 4 D. O'Shea
  • 16 G. Bazunu
  • 23 M. Travers
  • 14 R. Vata

Bulgaria

Formation: 5-4-1

Starting XI

  • 23 P. Iliev (G)
  • 2 N. Minkov (D)
  • 6 V. Antov (D)
  • 15 S. Petrov (D)
  • 14 A. Nedyalkov (D)
  • 5 F. Nürnberger (D)
  • 16 M. Petkov (M)
  • 17 G. Milanov (M)
  • 4 I. Gruev (M)
  • 11 K. Despodov (M)
  • 10 B. Kraev (F)

Substitutes

  • 9 V. Nikolov
  • 7 R. Kirilov
  • 20 F. Krastev
  • 22 I. Iliev
  • 13 S. Shopov
  • 12 D. Sheytanov
  • 19 S. Ivanov
  • 8 A. Kraev
  • 3 H. Petrov
  • 18 V. Panayotov
  • 1 I. Dyulgerov
  • 21 K. Stoyanov

Timeline

  1. Bulgaria
    30' Bulgaria Goal · Normal Goal
    V. Antov
  2. Bulgaria
    32' Bulgaria Card · Yellow Card
    S. Petrov

    Foul

  3. Rep. Of Ireland
    40' Rep. Of Ireland Card · Yellow Card
    Michael Johnston

    Foul

  4. Rep. Of Ireland
    44' Rep. Of Ireland Card · Yellow Card
    Jason Knight

    Foul

  5. Bulgaria
    60' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Bozhidar Kraev · On: V. Nikolov
  6. Rep. Of Ireland
    63' Rep. Of Ireland Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Ferguson · Assist: F. Azaz
  7. Rep. Of Ireland
    65' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Michael Johnston · On: A. Idah
  8. Rep. Of Ireland
    66' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Brady · On: R. Manning
  9. Rep. Of Ireland
    66' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Parrott · On: M. Sykes
  10. Rep. Of Ireland
    74' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 4
    Off: E. Ferguson · On: Jimmy Dunne
  11. Bulgaria
    75' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Petkov · On: R. Kirilov
  12. Bulgaria
    75' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 3
    Off: G. Milanov · On: F. Krastev
  13. Rep. Of Ireland
    82' Rep. Of Ireland subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Jason Knight · On: Jack Taylor
  14. Bulgaria
    84' Bulgaria Card · Yellow Card
    I. Gruev

    Argument

  15. Rep. Of Ireland
    84' Rep. Of Ireland Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Idah
  16. Bulgaria
    89' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Fabian Nürnberger · On: I. Iliev
  17. Bulgaria
    89' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 5
    Off: I. Gruev · On: S. Shopov
  18. Bulgaria
    90'+2 Bulgaria Card · Yellow Card
    V. Nikolov

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Rep. Of Ireland Bulgaria
Fouls 12 12
Pass Accuracy 86% 86%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 14 7
Corners 5 5
Total Passes 490 482
Yellow Cards 3 3
Blocked Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 5 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 5 3
Possession 51% 49%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 423 413
Shots Inside Box 11 4
Saves 1 2
Shots Outside Box 3 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Rep. Of Ireland level the match in the 63rd minute when E. Ferguson scored off an assist from F. Azaz, turning the tide of the game in their favor.
  • ▸ A. Idah's late goal in the 84th minute sealed the win for Rep. Of Ireland, despite Bulgaria's efforts to stage a comeback in the final minutes of the match.