In a thrilling UEFA Nations League playoff, Adam Idah emerged as the hero for the Republic of Ireland, scoring a crucial 85th-minute goal that secured a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria at Aviva Stadium on March 23, 2025. With this win, Ireland preserved their Nations League B status, avoiding relegation with a 4-2 aggregate score.
Idah’s pivotal moment came just after he was introduced as a substitute in the 66th minute. His late strike capped off a comeback victory after Bulgaria’s Valentin Antov opened the scoring in the 29th minute, putting pressure on the Irish side early in the match. Despite this setback, the Irish team rallied for an impressive response.
Evan Ferguson was instrumental in the turnaround, equalizing in the 63rd minute. The West Ham loanee latched onto a clever assist and lashed the ball into the net, injecting life back into the Irish hopes. From that point, Ireland stepped up their game, displaying determination in front of their home crowd of 40,156 enthusiastic supporters.
As the clock wound down, Idah’s opportunity arose. A well-crafted play involving Mark Sykes set up the chance, allowing Idah to volley home from close range, sealing the game for Ireland. After scoring, Idah celebrated with a 'shushing' gesture, aimed at silencing critics who had doubted his contributions this season.
"I saw a lot of stuff online, so it was just telling people to shut up really," Idah disclosed post-match, addressing the mixed sentiments surrounding his performance following a difficult string of club outings at Celtic. His goal not only vindicated his talent but also reaffirmed his place within the national team setup.
This match was not just about a thrilling victory but also reflected broader issues in football, notably the recent racist incident involving the Ireland U-17 team during a qualifier against Poland. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed that they had reported the incident to UEFA. Idah lamented the ongoing issues of racism in football, stating, "It’s ridiculous in this day and age that there are racist comments going about. It’s shocking, especially in football when there’s so much awareness about it."
Moreover, he recalled his own experiences with online abuse and called for more robust measures to combat such behavior: "We need to put a foot down. I’m not going to lie, it’s probably going to happen a lot more, it’s going to be hard to stop but once we get the awareness out, those who need to understand should pay attention. Addressing these issues is vital for the game's integrity, especially for young players. It’s disappointing to hear that at under-17 level."
Idah's public stance on these matters demonstrates not only his commitment to the sport but also a desire to effect change where it is desperately needed. His performances, specifically on such a significant night for Ireland, prove that he possesses resilience and the necessary skill to contribute when the team needed it most.
As Ireland prepares for friendly matches against Senegal and Luxembourg, they will carry momentum from this victory into their future World Cup qualifying endeavors later this year. Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson will undoubtedly hope to build on this crucial win, looking to combine the talents of established players with emerging stars like Ferguson and Idah, who are potentially pivotal for their upcoming challenges.
While this night belonged to Idah, the entire team should take pride in the victory that confirmed their place in League B. As they celebrate, the focus will need to shift toward the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign ahead, which will test their mettle against some of the best teams in Europe.
