Northern Ireland defeated Georgia in Tbilisi tonight thanks to a fantastic last gasp injury time winner from Shea Charles.
The midfielder superbly volleyed the ball into the top corner to secure an historic 1-0 win against the Georgians at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium (Dinamo Arena) in UEFA Nations League B Group 2.
It was Northern Ireland’s first ever away win in the Nations League and also their first victory at League B level - at the 11th attempt.
Michael O’Neill’s side had to dig deep at times but the win was fully deserved following a gritty, resilient performance in balmy conditions. And goalkeeper Pierce Charles also managed to save a penalty from Georgia’s star player, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The game, which was the B2 opener for both sides, was played in front of 6000 Georgian schoolchildren after UEFA imposed a stadium ban on the Georgian Football Federation stemming from spectator trouble and regulation breaches during a match against Armenia. There were also 60 Northern Ireland fans in the stadium.
Isaac Price’s low shot after 10 minutes was the first effort on goal, although the flag was raised after Georgia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili smothered the ball. Jamie Donley was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.
Fifteen minutes later Donley set Price free down the left flank and his cross into the area was met by Shea Charles, but unfortunately his header was well off target.
A low free-kick from Price was blocked before Ethan Galbraith’s follow-up effort was also snuffed out.
Then Price had another shot blocked before Donley curled the ball past the post.
On 37 minutes Georgia produced their first clearcut opportunity. Captain Kvaratskhelia delivered a corner into the box where fellow attacker Giorgi Kvernadze powerfully headed the ball towards goal, however Hume was on hand to clear it off the line.
At the start of the second half a goal-bound long range Shea Charles shot was headed clear by Georgia defender Lasha Dvali.
After that the home side upped the ante and in the 53rd minute Pierce Charles produced a superb save to keep Georgia out. Substitute Giorgi Chakvetadze found striker Georges Mikautadze and his close range shot was tipped over the bar by Charles.
Then Northern Ireland captain Trai Hume’s low shot from distance was gathered in by the Georgian keeper.
On 62 minutes Daniel Ballard was harshly adjudged to have fouled Luka Lochoshvili in the penalty area. Following a VAR review a penalty was awarded by referee Orel Grinfeeld.
Kvaratskhelia stepped up to take the spot kick and his strike was brilliantly kept out by Charles.
Down the other end Price cut inside and let fly from outside the area, however his low shot was comfortably dealt with by Mamardashvili.
In the 76th minute substitute Josh Magennis occupied a couple of Georgian defenders up top. A loose clearance found fellow sub Brodie Spencer who squared the ball to the advancing Charles inside the area, however the Georgian keeper did well to save his low drive with his feet.
Two minutes later Pierce Charles had to be on his toes again to push out an effort from Otar Kiteishvili.
Price strode forward and rode a couple of tackles before the ball was eventually cleared by Georgia on the edge of the area.
Substitute Ceadach O’Neill, just seconds after his introduction, slipped the ball to Justin Devenny who squared it to Charles but he could only guide his shot past the post.
Shea Charles appeared to be upended in the penalty area, however the referee waved play on.
Ballard produced a superb clearance as the Georgians poured forward in injury time. Then he appeared to pull his hamstring as he battled to get a ball to safety.
And substitute Ruairi McConville got up superbly to head the ball clear as Georgia fired in a corner.
Then came Northern Ireland’s sensational winner – in the 99th minute.
Hume’s long throw was headed back to him by the Georgia defence. The captain then lofted the ball into the area where Charles was on hand to smash it into the top corner from six yards. Mamardashvili got a hand to the ball but was beaten by the sheer power of the strike. It was a classy finish.
There was still time for one more opportunity for Georgia, however Mikautadze headed well wide.
Next up for Northern Ireland in B2 is a home game against top seeds Hungary on Monday (7.45pm kick-off).
Georgia: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Otar Kakabadze, Lasha Dvali, Luka Lochoshvili, Saba Goglichidze, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (captain), Anzor Mekvabishvili, Georges Mikautadze, Giorgi Kvernadze, Saba Kharebashvili.
Substitutes: (used) Giorgi Chakvetadze, Otar Kiteishvili, Zuriko Davitashvili, Jemal Tabidze, Ilia Beriashvili; (unused) Davit Kereselidze (GK), Luka Gugeshashvili (GK), Budu Zivzivadze, Gizo Mamageishvili, Irakli Egoyan, Giorgi Tsitaishvili, Giorgi Gagua.
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Trai Hume (captain), Daniel Ballard, Tom Atcheson, Ciaron Brown, Justin Devenny, Ethan Galbraith, Shea Charles, Patrick Kelly, Jamie Donley, Isaac Price.
Substitutes: (used) Ruairi McConville, Brodie Spencer, Josh Magennis, Ceadach O’Neill, Paddy McNair; (unused) Conor Hazard, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Terry Devlin, Jordan Thompson, Callum Marshall, Paul Smyth, Kieran Morrison.
Action from Tbilisi
