Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty scored first-half headers as the Republic of Ireland battled back to beat Bulgaria 2-1 in the first leg of their Nations League play-off. Marin Petkov fired the hosts into an early lead at a sparsely-populated Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv but midfielder Azaz quickly levelled with his first international goal.
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Senegal will become the first African team to play at the Aviva Stadium when they visit Ireland for a friendly in June. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will then head to Luxembourg for another friendly, their last fixture before World Cup qualification begins in September. Ireland last faced an African side 15 years ago when Algeria visited Dublin with the home side running out 3-0 winners.
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The Republic of Ireland will face some familiar foes in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup as they have been drawn in the same group as Hungary and Armenia, as well as the winners of the Nations League playoff between Portugal and Denmark While there will be relief in the Irish camp at having avoided a five-team group, which would have complicated the calendar planned for 2025 by manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, the prospect of facing either Portugal or Denmark will be daunting although with that comes some hope that results could be managed against Hungary and Armenia.
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The Republic of Ireland will do battle with Bulgaria in March in a promotion/relegation play-off in the Nations League. Today’s draw at UEFA HQ for the play-off had Ireland with four potential opponents from League C, in a two-legged clash to stay in League B. Ireland avoided Kosovo, Slovakia and Armenia but have been paired with Bulgaria.
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England sealed promotion to the UEFA Nations League top tier after a 5-0 win over Republic of Ireland. After a goalless first half, the game changed when England were awarded a penalty when Liam Scales brought down Jude Bellingham. Scales was sent off and Harry Kane scored the penalty. Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis also found themselves on the scoresheet.
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