“Georgia made a double substitution, bringing on Giorgi Chakvetadze and Nodar Lominadze to freshen up their attacking options and try to relieve pressure.”
“Northern Ireland responded with their own triple change, introducing Josh Magennis and Kieran Morrison to add fresh legs up front as they searched for a breakthrough.”
“Irakli Yegoian picked up a yellow card for arguing with officials as tempers flared in the chaotic closing stages, moments after Georgia had made further changes to see out the result.”
Northern Ireland
Georgia
Outstanding performance
Georgia•GoalkeeperNorthern Ireland dominated the underlying numbers - 15 shots to 7, 62 dangerous attacks to 28, and eight corners - but couldn't find a breakthrough against a well-organized Georgian side happy to sit back on just 38% possession. Georgia's shape held firm even as the hosts created two big chances, with five saves from the away goalkeeper proving decisive in preserving the stalemate. The match came alive in the final half-hour as both managers emptied their benches, with Northern Ireland throwing on Callum Marshall, Paddy McNair and Josh Magennis in search of a late winner while Georgia matched them change for change to shore things up. Four late yellow cards, including one for dissent, capped off a tense finish, but neither side could turn pressure into a goal, leaving Northern Ireland top of their group on points but without the win their performance perhaps deserved.
How entertaining was this match?
Attempt missed by Shea Charles of Northern Ireland, who took a left-footed shot from outside the box.
Northern Ireland is awarded a corner after Nodar Lominadze concedes.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 5 minutes of added time.
Attempt missed. Ciaron Brown from Northern Ireland has a left-footed shot from the center of the box that goes wide to the right. He was assisted by Brodie Spencer, who provided a headed pass after a set piece situation.
Giorgi TsitaishviliYellow CardGiorgi Tsitaishvili of Georgia receives a yellow card for a foul.
Shea Charles from Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Giorgi Tsitaishvili of Georgia.
Northern Ireland is awarded a corner after Irakli Yegoian concedes.
Substitution for Northern Ireland: Paddy McNair comes on for Tom Atcheson.
Substitution for Northern Ireland: Callum Marshall comes on for Isaac Price.
Irakli YegoianYellow CardIrakli Yegoian from Georgia receives a yellow card.
Substitution for Georgia: Georges Mikautadze comes on for Budu Zivzivadze.
Penalty saved! Isaac Price from Northern Ireland had his right-footed shot stopped in the bottom left corner by Giorgi Mamardashvili of Georgia.
Nodar LominadzeYellow CardNodar Lominadze from Georgia receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
VAR decision results in a penalty for Northern Ireland.
Penalty awarded to Northern Ireland as Ruairi McConville is fouled in the penalty area.
Tom Atcheson from Northern Ireland misses a header from the right side of the six-yard box, sending the ball to the left. He was assisted by Justin Devenny, who delivered a cross after a corner.
Nodar Lominadze of Georgia concedes a penalty due to a foul in the penalty area.
Northern Ireland is awarded a corner after Giorgi Mamardashvili concedes.
Attempt saved. Josh Magennis from Northern Ireland has his right-footed shot from the center of the box saved in the bottom right corner by Giorgi Mamardashvili of Georgia. The assist came from Shea Charles.
Attempt missed. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Georgia takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes high and wide to the right. Irakli Yegoian provided the assist.
Brodie Spencer from Northern Ireland wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Giorgi Chakvetadze of Georgia.
Attempt missed. Tom Atcheson from Northern Ireland takes a left-footed shot from the center of the box but misses to the left.
Substitution for Northern Ireland: Josh Magennis comes on for Jamie Donley.
Substitution for Northern Ireland: Kieran Morrison comes on for Patrick Kelly.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Substitution for Georgia: Irakli Yegoian comes on for Gizo Mamageishvili due to an injury.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Gizo Mamageishvili from Georgia.
Attempt blocked. Giorgi Chakvetadze's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Nodar Lominadze provided the assist.
Corner awarded to Georgia after a concession by Justin Devenny.
Foul committed by Ruairi McConville of Northern Ireland.
Budu Zivzivadze from Georgia is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Tom Atcheson of Northern Ireland.
Gizo Mamageishvili from Georgia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution for Georgia: Giorgi Chakvetadze comes on for Zuriko Davitashvili.
Substitution for Georgia: Nodar Lominadze comes on for Anzor Mekvabishvili.
Substitution for Northern Ireland: Brodie Spencer comes on for Ethan Galbraith.
Lasha Dvali's header from the center of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's cross.
Corner awarded to Georgia after Ruairi McConville concedes.
Budu Zivzivadze's header from the center of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Otar Kakabadze's cross.
Ethan Galbraith commits a foul for Northern Ireland.
Giorgi Tsitaishvili from Georgia is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Isaac Price from Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Saba Sazonov of Georgia.
Attempt saved. Giorgi Tsitaishvili from Georgia has his left-footed shot from the right side of the box saved in the top right corner by Pierce Charles of Northern Ireland. The shot was assisted by Zuriko Davitashvili.
Attempt saved. Ruairi McConville's header from the center of the box is saved in the top right corner by Giorgi Mamardashvili. The assist came from Pierce Charles.
Foul committed by Ruairi McConville of Northern Ireland.
Budu Zivzivadze from Georgia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Ciaron Brown from Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Anzor Mekvabishvili of Georgia.
Attempt missed by Jamie Donley of Northern Ireland, who took a left-footed shot from a tough angle on the left but missed to the left. Ethan Galbraith provided the assist.
Jamie Donley's left-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Justin Devenny.
Attempt missed. Jamie Donley from Northern Ireland shoots with his left foot from the center of the box, but it goes too high. Ciaron Brown assisted with a headed pass after a set piece situation.
Shea Charles from Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Budu Zivzivadze commits a foul for Georgia.
The second half begins with the score at Northern Ireland 0, Georgia 0.
Substitution for Georgia: Giorgi Tsitaishvili comes on for Giorgi Kochorashvili.
First half ends with the score at Northern Ireland 0, Georgia 0.
Isaac Price from Northern Ireland misses a right-footed shot from outside the box, sending the ball to the right after a direct free kick.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 1 minute of added time.
Jamie Donley from Northern Ireland wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Giorgi Kochorashvili of Georgia.
Saba Sazonov from Georgia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Tom Atcheson of Northern Ireland.
Foul committed by Jamie Donley of Northern Ireland.
Anzor Mekvabishvili from Georgia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Shea Charles from Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Georgia.
Giorgi Kochorashvili from Georgia is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Patrick Kelly of Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland wins a corner after Lasha Dvali concedes.
Tom Atcheson from Northern Ireland misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it just a bit too high. Shea Charles provided the assist with a cross after a corner.
Attempt saved. Jamie Donley from Northern Ireland has a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it's saved in the top right corner by Giorgi Mamardashvili of Georgia.
Northern Ireland is awarded a corner after Budu Zivzivadze concedes it.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Saba Sazonov from Georgia.
Attempt saved. Zuriko Davitashvili from Georgia has his right-footed shot from the center of the box saved in the bottom right corner by Pierce Charles of Northern Ireland. The shot was assisted by Gizo Mamageishvili.
Attempt missed. Ruairi McConville's header from the center of the box goes to the right. Ethan Galbraith provided the assist with a cross after a corner.
Northern Ireland is awarded a corner after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia concedes.
Northern Ireland wins a corner after Saba Sazonov concedes.
Attempt saved. Ruairi McConville's header from the center of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Giorgi Mamardashvili. The assist came from Justin Devenny's cross.
Corner awarded to Northern Ireland after Saba Sazonov concedes.
Attempt missed. Budu Zivzivadze from Georgia heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes to the left. He was assisted by Lasha Dvali, who provided a headed pass after a set piece situation.
Shea Charles from Northern Ireland commits a foul.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Georgia wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Giorgi Kochorashvili commits a foul for Georgia.
Giorgi KochorashviliYellow CardGiorgi Kochorashvili from Georgia receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Shea Charles from Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Justin Devenny of Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Giorgi Kochorashvili of Georgia.
Offside called against Northern Ireland. Patrick Kelly is caught offside.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Georgia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Patrick Kelly of Northern Ireland.
Justin Devenny from Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Giorgi Kochorashvili of Georgia.
Jamie Donley from Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Lasha Dvali commits a foul for Georgia.
Offside called against Northern Ireland. Patrick Kelly is caught offside.
Luka Lochoshvili commits a foul for Georgia.
Shea Charles of Northern Ireland is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Budu Zivzivadze commits a foul for Georgia.
Pierce Charles from Northern Ireland wins a free kick in the defensive half.
First half begins.
Northern Ireland, unbeaten and flying high atop Group B2, host a Georgia side in freefall after a managerial sacking and a prolonged scoring drought. Having already beaten Georgia 1-0 in Tbilisi, Michael O'Neill's men look to pile on the misery and cement their grip on the group at Windsor Park.
