Republic of Ireland survive Nations League Relegation

Even if the outcome was a bit nervier than fans might have hoped for heading into the Republic of Ireland’s League B Relegation playoff, Heimir Hallgrimsson men managed to get the job done. A 4-2 aggregate win over Bulgaria has earned the Irish side a stay of execution in League B of the Nations League, but after securing the first back-to-back wins for an Irish side since March 2023, there are certainly positives to take as we now look ahead to the World Cup qualifiers later this year.

Nations League Safety

Regardless of how poor a side Bulgaria are, there cannot be any assured confidence behind this current Irish side right now, given where they have been recently. Even though we should felt secure heading into the two-legged playoff with Bulgaria, there was still a hint of fear that a campaign in League C may be awaiting us in 2026.

The start of the first leg in Plovdiv did nothing to allay those anxieties for Irish football fans as the Bulgarians took the lead with their opening attack at the Irish goal. The Irish response to going a goal down certainly cheered the travelling fans and those watching at home right up however, as the men in green began dominating the rest of the first half. That dominance was rewarded with two brightly worked goals through the impressive Middlesbrough man Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty, who showed the confidence of a player enjoying regular first team football at club level once again. The second half was a scrappy affair, but for a change, Ireland did not look in any trouble and did not look like relinquishing their 2-1 lead heading into the second leg in Dublin.

The second leg was a reenactment of the first leg three days before, when Bulgaria once more opened the scoring after half an hour, with one of their first attacks in the Irish half. Ireland had begun the game in exciting fashion, dominating the ball, and looking dangerous from set plays. They looked shellshocked after the Bulgarian goal though, and it was not until the second half that they managed to turn things around. A brilliant equaliser from Evan Ferguson after a neat interchange with Finn Azaz was followed by a good counter attacking goal from Celtic’s Adam Idah. The game finished 2-1 to give Hallgrimsson’s team a 4-2 aggregate win and saw the side keep their place in the second tier of the competition.

Who Impressed?

While the back-to-back wins will give fans confidence heading into bigger games later in the year, the performances of some of the Republic of Ireland players will have definitely excited fans. Finn Azaz has enjoyed a very productive season in the Championship with Middlesbrough and he brought that form with him as he was the standout player for Ireland over the two games. A creative and intelligent player, Azaz could really shine in that advanced midfield role when some of Ireland’s better players like Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene return to the fold. Robbie Brady further cemented his role as Hallgrimsson’s first choice left back with two more solid displays, with his set piece ability a vital weapon for this Irish team.

Matt Doherty also looked like a player who is confident once more after a prolonged period of regular first team football in the Premier League with Wolves. Troy Parrott, even though he didn’t score in the two games showed that he could lead the line for the team, if selected down the line. More goals and assists at the end of a brilliant first season with AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie would further enhance his prospects. Evan Ferguson looked every bit the player who has barely played in recent months, but he did show his undoubted class with his cool finish for Ireland’s equaliser in Dublin.

What’s Next?

The Republic of Ireland players will now return to their club sides to finish off the current season before reuniting in an Ireland shirt for two summer friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg in June. The games in June will hopefully see the side continue the form from their two Nations League wins. They will also, with any luck, see the return of the likes of Szmodics, Ogbene, Will Smallbone and Andrew Omobamidele to the squad to further deepen the manager’s options.

A fully fit squad with players fresh from consistent playing time at their clubs will really enable Heimir Hallgrimsson and his team to build some momentum as we all look ahead to those crucial World Cup qualifiers later in the year.

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