UEFA Nations League Group B promotion/relegation play-off
Sunday, 23 March
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
TV/Player
Watch live build-up and coverage of the match on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm.
Radio
Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra.
Online
There will be a live blog on rte.ie/sport, the RTÉ News app, as well as updates and goals on RTÉ Sport on X and RTÉ Sport Facebook.
Weather
Mainly dry and cloudy with some patchy rain in the east at first, becoming drier through the morning. Highest temperatures tomorrow of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds.
Job (half) done
Thursday's Nations League play-off first leg wasn't a perfect performance from Ireland but a win's a win. And nor was it a true tale of two halves.
The Boys in Green were the better team in the first half against Bulgaria and emerged from that period with a 2-1 advantage, having recovered from the concession of a fifth-minute goal which was a tad too easily given away. But it was a mixed bag collectively and individually with some guilty of over-playing at the back at times and occasional sense of being disjointed going forward given that with injuries and numerous personnel changes and tactical tweaks, cohesion wouldn't be at an ideal point.
The second half which remained scoreless was far more scrappy and bitty, with Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson suggesting that his team "got too passive", although he walked back an aspect of those remarks citing the emotions of the immediate post-match.
With a one-goal advantage, Ireland will now look to finish the job in the second leg from within the familiar surroundings of the Aviva Stadium and ensure survival in second tier League B.
Given the pre-match suggestions that Bulgaria fall into the 'no great shakes category' - although teams that fit that profile have proved more than troublesome in the not-so-distant past - Ilian Iliev's side didn't do anything to completely dispel notions that they are not a potent force and will continue to be underdogs in Dublin on Sunday.
However, Hallgrimsson did warn that there could be a sting in the tail: "I think now it's a different scenario, they need to come to Dublin, win the game and score goals. Now it’s their turn, they need to do something different, because they need to win."
Individuals put their hands up
The player ratings will give a full indication of first-leg performances. A number of players did impress on Thursday.
Finn Azaz on his fifth cap demonstrated his ability to float between the lines and break the box as he did to good effect for Ireland's equaliser when he was on hand to nod in Troy Parrott's ball across into the empty net.
Parrott may not have found the net himself but the in-form AZ Alkmaar striker did impact the game. Having been the subject of debate about whether he or Evan Ferguson deserved to start, the Dubliner won that battle, although if he keeps his place on Sunday will be interesting with Ferguson having brought energy in the closing stages after coming on.
Matt Doherty has been under scrutiny over recent months but the Wolves defender put in one of his better Irish displays from right back, weighing in with the crucial winner as he made a clever run to get his head onto Josh Cullen's lofted pass.
Rocco Vata also made his debut off the bench which was more notable for an almost immediate booking but now that is out of the way, will be able to settle into things if called upon again.
Ireland have a clean bill of health for Sunday and in the name of continuity, Hallgrimsson may stick with most of the starting line-up from Plovdiv, with other fringe players potentially getting an opportunity if the Boys in Green are out of sight on aggregate as the game wears on.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary on Radio 1 Extra
