Stadion Hristov Botev played host to the first leg of the UEFA Nations League B/C Playoff Qualification matchup between Bulgaria and Ireland.
The visiting Boys in Green only managed one away victory in their UEFA Nations League group, coming against Finland in October of last year.
The hosts have four wins in their last twenty-one outings in the UEFA nations league with one coming against Ireland's neighbours, Northern Ireland.
It was an eventful start to the first half with Ireland having the better sequences of play in the opening stages however it was the hosts who struck first.
A well worked passage of play was finished off well by attacker Marin Petkov. Unfortunately for the hosts their lead was short lived as Finn Azaz headed home the equaliser after a quick and smart bit of play by the visitors.
Seasoned Ireland international Matt Doherty gave his nation the lead shortly before halftime. A combination of a brave run and some poor goalkeeping again were the main factors in the boys in green grabbing their second goal.
After his error and collision, Bulgarian keeper Dimitar Mitov was subbed at the beginning of the second part of play, a night to forget for him.
The second passage of football did not offer much in terms of entertainment. The hosts were tentative, never really threating the Irish going forward.
Debuts were given to Rocco Vata and Mark Skyes of Ireland.
Story of the match
Ireland had the opening chance of the game when Ryan Manning got on the end of lofted cross by team mate Finn Azaz, However, Manning who was unmarked could only head the ball into the keepers hands.
Moments after Bulgaria opening the scoring, a lovely frequence of play and a smart pass by Filip Krastev to his fellow countryman Petkov, the winger managed to create space between him and his defender and slot to ball of the inside of the post, beating the outstretched Caoimhin Kelleher.
Just fifteen minutes after conceding, the boys in green scored to make it 1-1. A quick free kick by Doherty was floated over to Robbie Brady on the left wing.
His whipped cross into the box found AZ Alkmaar forward Troy Parrott. Whose gentle touch set up Azaz, and the inform Middlesbrough man bagged his first Ireland goal with a header into an empty net.
Doherty heads Ireland into the lead
A floated ball from Josh Cullen found the darting run of fullback Matt Doherty, he broke through the Bulgaria defence and beat keeper Dimitar Mitov to give Ireland their second goal. The visitors went into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
It was a quiet start to the second half as neither team had any clear cut chances but, the game quickly turned scrappy as the referee handed out four yellow cards within the first twenty minutes of the half.
One comes at a cost for Bulgaria as centre-half Zhivko Atanasov picked up a yellow, meaning he will miss the return leg in Dublin.
The home nation failed to put together any sort of real attacking threat during the second right of play. Ireland were comfortable for the majority of the second half, only having some half chances from set pieces.
Two first-time debuts for the Ireland international team tonight as Watford winger Rocco Vata and Bristol City man Mark Skyes were introduced as substitutes in the second half.
On loan West Ham forward Evan Ferguson was also a second-half substitute. The Irishman's form has dipped significantly over the last couple of years due to injury and falling down the pecking order at Brighton. His loan move to the London Stadium has not been successful so far.
An away victory will delight the travelling Irish support and put them in a strong position for the second leg of the tie, which will be played at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday the 23rd.
Player of the match - Josh Cullen
photo courtesy of Stephen McCarthy
Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen was the player of the match. The 28-year-old was solid in the centre of the park tonight, setting up what would be the winner for Ireland with a beautiful assist to Matt Doherty.
The burnley man was excelled in the defensive side of the match, stats such as three clearances, four interceptions, seven recoveries and four out of six ground duels tells how important he was to manager Heimir Hallgrimsson in his team's victory tonight.
