Ireland take 2-1 advantage back to Dublin in Nations League play-off vs Bulgaria

Ireland head back to Dublin with a 2-1 lead in their Nations League relegation play-off against Bulgaria.

The boys in green are finally starting to click under manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, recording a third win in their last five outings.

Bulgaria opened the scoring inside the first six minutes through a well-worked goal set-up by Filip Krastev as Marin Petkov tried his luck from the edge of the area and found the back of the net off the post.

It wasn’t long before the visitors drew level on minute 21 when Robbie Brady’s enticing delivery was beautifully cushioned by Troy Parrott at the back post into the path of Finn Azaz to head home.

20 minutes later, Ireland had the lead through Matt Doherty who met Josh Cullen’s long ball in the air just before Bulgaria goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov could get there.

Some might say déjà vu from Brady’s famous goal to send Ireland through to the knockout stages of Euro 2016 against Italy all those years ago.

The two sides now travel to Dublin for the second leg on Sunday evening at the Aviva Stadium.

WATCH: Bulgaria 1-2 Ireland Nations League Highlights

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.
🇧🇬 1-0 🇮🇪
📱 Live Updates – https://t.co/zKFxHhV2TQ
📺 Watch @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
📻Listen @GameOn2fm#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/CfePx9rpcW

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2025

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 .
🇧🇬 1-1 🇮🇪
📱 Live Updates – https://t.co/zKFxHhUv4i
📺 Watch @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
📻 Listen @GameOn2fm#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/m0hVgGC9aO

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2025

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 🇮🇪
📱 Live Updates – https://t.co/zKFxHhUv4i
📺 Watch @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
📻 Listen @GameOn2fm#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/6FC0too05V

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2025

Hallgrímsson’s reign is beginning to take shape after a rocky start and Thursday’s result is undoubtedly promising as Ireland aim to build momentum ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifying campaign this autumn.

After this Nations League play-off is taken care of, Ireland will face Armenia, Hungary and Denmark/Portugal in Group F for a spot in America next year.

The result marks Ireland’s first competitive win over Bulgaria in four meetings, drawing four consecutive games in two World Cup qualifiers in 2009 and two Nations League group games in 2020.

Ireland look set to stay in Group B if they can repeat tonight’s performance on Sunday but the work is still to be done.