Republic of Ireland come from behind to beat Bulgaria
The Republic of Ireland came from behind to beat Bulgaria 2-1 in the first leg of their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off at the Hristo Botev Stadium.It was a terrible start for the Republic in Plovdiv as they fell behind to Marin Petkov's early goal.Heimir Hallgrimsson's side rallied and levelled on 21 minutes through Finn Azaz's close range finish, before Matt Doherty then headed them into the lead on 41 minutes.The Republic saw out the stop-start second half as they take a narrow lead into the second leg in Dublin on Sunday.
Republic recover to lead after early Bulgaria opener
The Republic enjoyed a bright start in what was an action-packed first half, as Ryan Manning went close, heading straight at Dimitar Metov after meeting Azaz's inviting cross.Bulgaria then opened the scoring with their first foray forward. Lukas Petkov was afforded too much time and space to pick out Filip Kraslev and he neatly backheeled the ball to Marin Petkov, whose low first-time strike from the edge of the area went in off the post.Manning went close again with another header, before the visitors equalised with a well-worked move.Robbie Brady's deep delivery from the left fell to Parrott at the back post and he cushioned the ball into Azaz, who had a simple headed finish.They were inches away from taking the lead on 34 minutes as Johnston took a quick free-kick to slip in Parrott on the right-hand side of the box and he drilled the ball across the face of goal, which just evaded captain Nathan Collins who was sliding in.They would eventually go ahead four minutes before the break, with Josh Cullen clipping the ball forward to Doherty, who darted inside and bravely beat Metov to head into the empty net.The second half was a much scrappier affair, with neither side able to fashion clear-cut chances a pitch that cut up greatly as the game wore on.Watford teenager Rocco Vata came on for his international debut in one of five second half changes that added little going forward, but the Republic saw the game out, with a big second leg to follow at the Aviva Stadium in three days' time.
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