It is safe to say that the most recent international window for the Ireland National Team was a success. Two matches thus far in 2025 resulted in two wins for the boys in green. This is the first time Ireland has had back-to-back wins since we beat Malta 1-0 and Latvia 3-2 in November 2022 & March 2023, respectively.
While the wins were not as comprehensive as some would have hoped, they are two back-to-back wins in competitive European matches, nonetheless. In the first match against the Bulgarians in Plovdiv, Ireland came away with a scrappy 2-1 win.
Overall possession favored Bulgaria 56% to our 44%. We both were able to come away with 3 shots on target. Bulgaria took 7 total shots while we took 12 in total, 11 of those being inside the box. In an ideal scenario, I wouldโve loved to see Ireland take advantage of more of those chances and maybe come away with a 4 or 3-goal victory over a very weak Bulgaria side.
Finn Azaz stood out as the star player in the first match vs Bulgaria. Finnโs technical ability along with his skill to pick out a pass that unlocks the defense is something we have been crying out for in an Ireland shirt for a very long time. He looked extremely comfortable in his preferred number 10 role linking up with our other star man of the window overall, Troy Parrott. The two combined for the first goal off a beautiful bit of play and an exquisite one-touch assist from Troy Parrott to open Finn Azazโs Ireland account.
The rest of the first half followed the script of the game overall. We had to suffer and scrap a bit more than we would have liked. However, we were able to create some big chances to go ahead after conceding a fairly good goal from Petkov. A player who Irish fans have been critical of in the past came up with a very impressive performance and a big goal late in the first half. Matt Doherty made a darting run from about 50 yards out into the box.
Josh Cullen had the vision to spot Doherty along with the ability to put a pearl of a ball into the box for Doherty to head home. The second half did not have much to write home about other than a solid cameo from Mark Sykes and Rocco Vata making his debut for Ireland. Which will be the first of many caps young Vata will earn for his country over what looks to be an extremely promising career.
The second leg in Dublin followed the same scrappy script as Bulgaria looked like they were more up for an MMA match than a game of football. All the stoppages and fouls aside, we were able to come away with a decently comprehensive win. We went down in the 30th minute due to what seemed to be a lapse of communication or a slight drop of awareness that led to the Valentin Antov goal. The overall possession stats ended at an even 50/50, however, the total shots and shots on target told a better story. We were able to put 5 out of 14 total shots on target, while Bulgaria only put 2 out of 7 shots on target.
The overall structure to the side was not to my liking as I personally am not a fan of a 4-4-2. Especially, when our most talented players are playing out of position. With that being said, Finn Azaz was able to leave his mark once again with an assist to get Evan Ferguson back on the scoresheet with a much-needed goal. Evan Ferguson looked fantastic once again with his overall play and his ability to link-up with his strike partner.
Troy Parrott stood out once again, showing his skill and dominating play while not even getting on the scoresheet. We scratched and clawed a bit more in that trying second half and came up with another goal, this time from the Celtic striker Adam Idah. He followed up his 5th goal for the Irish National Team with a celebration I particularly enjoyed.
The playoff ended with Ireland staying in League B of the Nations League after winning 4-2 on aggregate. I personally would have expected us to dispatch this Bulgarian side with a wider aggregate scoreline. However, I am leaving hopeful that we can keep getting results heading into crucial World Cup qualifiers later this year. I would love to see us leave the 4-4-2 formation in this window. Especially with the current midfield we have at our disposal.
A 3-man midfield would suit these players much better than any other shape. I do think we could see Will Smallbone come back into the midfield for this summerโs friendlies. Although, I would love to see John Patrick get a call-up with his ability to carry the ball forward through midfield. If we can lineup with a solid 6 (Josh Cullen as of now), a box-to-box 8 (one of Knight, Smallbone, or John Patrick), and a playmaking 10 (Finn Azaz, Sammie Szmodics, or Andy Moran) we could build a habit of better-controlling matches with our midfield.
With all the players we have coming through at the moment playing well for club and country, it should leave us excited for the future. Who knows? Maybe even a few lads kick on late in their domestic seasons, and we have another breakout star to watch for in the summer friendlies squad. Either way, we Ireland fans will be following with much anticipation.