The Republic of Ireland secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-off held at the Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv. The match, which took place on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, saw the Irish team come from behind after Marin Petkov opened the scoring for Bulgaria in the sixth minute. However, the Republic responded swiftly with goals from Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty before halftime, setting the stage for a vital second leg in Dublin this upcoming Sunday.
Bulgaria started strong, capitalizing on a defensive lapse as Petkov found the net early on. The Serbian forward received a deft backheel from Filip Krastev, allowing him to slot the ball home with precision. The Republic, demonstrating resilience, equalized in the 21st minute. Robbie Brady’s delivery found Troy Parrott, who expertly assisted Azaz, capitalizing on a defensive error by the Bulgarian side.
The Republic took the lead three minutes before the break. A well-placed ball from Josh Cullen drew Bulgarian goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov off his line, allowing Doherty to dart in and head the ball into an empty net. This marked Doherty's significant contribution after speculation about a rift between him and manager Heimir Hallgrimsson.
Despite a scrappy and uneventful second half, where the game turned physical with multiple bookings, the Republic held onto their narrow advantage. Hallgrimsson praised his squad’s character in overcoming the early setback and noted room for improvement ahead of the decisive second match in Dublin.
“We can do a little bit better,” Hallgrimsson said in a post-match interview. Referring to the upcoming match, he expressed optimism about returning to Dublin for the second leg. “It’s only the first game of two. We are looking forward to going to Dublin and playing them at home,” he added.
Finn Azaz, who netted the equalizer, described his goal as “probably the easiest” he had ever scored, highlighting the synergy between teammates Parrott and Brady that set up the chance. “It was a great ball from Robbie [Brady] too, and I just had to be in there,” Azaz expressed joyfully.
The Irish team will face a significant challenge in the second leg on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with kickoff scheduled for 7:45 PM local time. They aim to maintain their League B status in the Nations League. Strategically, the Republic has yet to taste defeat at home against Bulgaria in five encounters, with previous matches concluding with two wins and three draws since 2010.
Betting odds reflecting the confidence in the Republic's ability to secure victory show them as favorites at 7/10, while Bulgaria’s odds linger at 7/2. Bookmakers highlight the Republic's recent form, where they have won three of their last five matches since October, instilling optimism among fans.
Bulgaria, on the other hand, struggles to find offensive rhythm, having scored only four goals in their last seven league games. They hope to reverse this trend in Dublin, but their previous encounters on Irish soil yield little hope, with a winless streak in seven visits, the last being a goalless draw in 2020.
Looking ahead, both teams will make adjustments in personnel. Mitov may not feature in the second leg due to an injury sustained during the first game, leaving Bulgaria to rely on backup goalkeeper Plamen Iliev.
For the Republic, the spotlight could turn to Matt Doherty if he plays, as he stands on the brink of his 50th international cap, a milestone not reached since Shane Duffy’s last in November 2021.
With memories from the last home match against Finland still fresh in fans' minds, the Republic of Ireland seeks to build on their historical strength and solidify their position in League B against a determined Bulgarian side.
This Nations League play-off offers the Republic a pivotal opportunity not only to maintain their tier but also to restore faith in their campaign following a disappointing defeat to England last November. The stakes are high as they look to build momentum and confidence leading into more competitive fixtures ahead.
As the countdown to the second leg unfolds, fans remain hopeful, rallying behind their team in what promises to be another thrilling encounter on Irish soil as the Republic pushes to secure their place in the Nations League.
