Bulgaria turned Northern Ireland with two powerful shots by Todor Nedelev
Bulgaria beat Northern Ireland 2-1 in a Group C match for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. The Lions made a comeback after losing 0-1 at the break, but with two goals from Todor Nedelev they were greeted with success. .
As then play on Yasen Petrov played a match with two faces. Before the game started very weakly and only to find the goalkeeper Ivan Karadzhov saved the achievement of a larger liability in the first half. In the second half, although Bulgaria is transformed and is in line with better times on the field and deserves a turnaround.
Yasen Petrov started with two pairs of twins among the starters. Ivan Karadzhov stood at the door, Ivan Turitsov, the brothers Petko and Andrea Hristovi and Dimitar Velkovski were not defending him. In the midfield – Ivaylo Chochev, Todor Nedelev and other double twins – Radoslav and Borislav Tsonevi. In attack against the actions of Kiril Despodov and Atanas Iliev.
Delete before the meeting of the tribunes, arrived at the President President Rumen Radev with his son. The head of state did not sit in the logs of the “Vasil Levski” stadium, but sat among the people of sector “A”.
The first more serious situation is at the Bulgarian door. In the seventh minute Jordan Thomson shot from a distance, and at first Ivan Karadzhov did not find himself well, but in the end he managed to collect the ball,
In the 17th minute the guests were again very close to Gola. Crossing from the left to Paddy McNair, which remains uncovered and only luck and the reflex on Karadzhov saved from a goal. In the last corner, Connor Washington found himself in a shooting position at close range, but again Karadzhov saved.
Four minutes later Thomson shot from a distance, but again the Bulgarian short goalkeeper is in your place.
In the 26th minute came the first more dangerous entry into Bulgaria in the opponent’s half. The despot received the ball at the drop rate, but did not close a corner and his attempt to hit was blocked.
Ten minutes later, guests discover results. Cross by Josh Magenis. Karadjov saved again, but Connor Washington was closest to the ball and pushed it into the door. Initially, the side court knocked an ambush, but after a VAR review, it was revealed that Andrea Hristov was covering Charlton’s striker and the hit was conceded.
By the end of the examination of part of Bulgaria, press, but the attacks were toothless and did not threaten the door of the Northern Irish.
In the 53rd minute Bulgaria equalized. Ilian Iliev, who came in as a reserve, looked for Nedelev in the penalty area and after a ricochet the ball reached Botev’s midfielder, who without delay pierced Bailey Peacock-Farrell with his left foot.
Ten minutes later Nedelev brought a complete turnaround for the “lions”. Chochev stopped the ball of Botev’s player on the edge of the penalty area and Todor with an excellent shot made 2: 1.
In the next minutes, Bulgaria controlled its match and worked calmly in defense and lurked for opportunities for counterattacks. Kiril Despodov is the closest to a goal, but his parabolic shot went past the crossbar. In any case, there was no change in the results and Bulgaria managed to take three points for prestige.
Despite the victory today, Bulgaria officially said goodbye to the chances for the 2022 World Cup. Switzerland beat Lithuania 4-0 and so the “lions” did not lose the opportunity to reach one of the first two positions. Italy and Switzerland are leaders by 14 points, after which Bulgaria remains in third place with the same points and only until the end – a visit to the Crusaders. Northern Ireland, for its part, has five points, but only one game less than Bulgaria.
BULGARIA 2: 1 NORTHERN IRELAND
0: 1 Washington (38)
1: 1 Nedelev (53)
2: 1 Nedelev (63)
Bulgaria: 23. Ivan Karadjoev, 2. Ivan Turitsov, 3. Andrea Hristov, 5. Petko Hristov, 21. Dimitar Velkovski, 4. Radoslav Tsonev, 8. Todor Nedelev, 14. Borislav Tsonev, 18. Ivaylo Chochev, 11. Kiril Despodov, 19. Atanas Iliev
Northern Ireland: 1. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, 4. Daniel Ballard, 5. Tom Flanagan, 11. Shane Ferguson, 20. Craig Cathcart, 2. Connor Bradley, 8. Stephen Davis, 15. Jordan Thompson, 17. Patrick McNair, 21. Josh Magenis, 9. Connor Washington