Evan Ferguson makes his first start for Ireland against Bulgaria

In the UEFA Nations League play-offs, Ireland faced Bulgaria. Jack O'Brien made his debut for Ireland in the second leg, and Ireland beat their opponents 2-1 to secure their place in League B.  

Bulgaria's Valentin Antov opened the scoring but second-half goals from Evan Ferguson and Adam Ida sealed the win for Ireland.  

Ireland had a chance to score in the first few minutes of the game, with Finn Azaz passing the ball to Tovey Parrott after a Bulgarian attack in the box, who cleared the ball out of the goal line. Evan Ferguson leaped high from Robbie Brady's set-piece, forcing Iliev to block his shot in front of the goal.  

In the 23rd minute of the game, Azaz passed the ball to Brady, who passed the ball near the goal post. Tovi Parrott's first shot hit the post but was ruled offside. About half an hour into the game, Bulgaria took the lead.  

Kirill Despodov took a corner kick and passed the ball near the penalty area. Milanov's first shot was blocked by Collins, but Antov intercepted the ball and shot, successfully scoring for the team.  

Ireland equalised immediately when Tovey Parrott, unmarked in the box, headed in a Brady pass that went wide of the post. Just before half-time, Petrov cleared the ball off the line to deny Jack O'Brien, who headed home from Brady's corner, only for Bulgaria to clear it at the last minute.  

In the 48th minute, Mikey Johnston's shot hit the side of the goal, and then the Irish team continued to attack, but Bulgaria's tight defense prevented the opponent's attack. In the 63rd minute, Azaz controlled the ball near the penalty area and passed it to Ferguson in front of the Bulgarian goal. The latter kicked the ball into the goal and Ireland successfully equalized the score.  

In the 85th minute, Ireland attacked again and sealed the victory with a brilliant counterattack. Azaz passed the ball quickly, Sykes attacked from the right, Adam Idah received the ball and shot low, the ball successfully entered the net, and Ireland sealed the victory with a score of 2-1.