Northern Ireland remain top of League B2 after a 0-0 draw against Georgia at Windsor Park, Belfast, in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.
Isaac Price wasted a late chance to win the tie for Northern Ireland as his penalty was saved after Budu Zivizivadze kicked Ruairi McConville in the head.
Northern Ireland remain top of League B2 on eight points but their lead was trimmed down to a single point after Hungary beat Ukraine 2-1 to go second, whilst Georgia remain bottom of the group.
With the reverse fixture in Georgia having been fiery fought, it was little surprise that this clash began in similar scrappy fashion as Northern Ireland had to wait until the 25th minute for McConville to put a header on goal which was flapped away by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Zuriko Davitashvili produced Georgia’s best chance of the first half in the 28th minute with a shot towards the right corner, which Pierce Charles saved with a left-handed touch.
Northern Ireland however almost took a 47th-minute lead after Ciaron Brown’s knockdown header was volleyed over by Jamie Donley, before Shea Charles’ effort towards the right corner was saved by Mamardashvili.
Georgia’s best chance of the second half came in the 56th minute as Giorgi Tsitaishvili’s shot towards the top right corner was saved by Charles.
The contest soon became end-to-end and substitute, Josh Magennis saw a 81st-minute shot saved by Mamardashvili, but a penalty was soon given after McConville was kicked in the head by Budu Zivizivadze.
Isaac Price stepped up in the 84th minute but his penalty to the bottom left corner was saved by Mamardashvili as neither team found a late winner.
What’s Next?
Northern Ireland host Ukraine at Windsor Park in their penultimate match of the campaign on Saturday 14 November at 7:45pm GMT, followed by a trip to Hungary on Tuesday 17 November at 8:45pm CET (7:45pm GMT)
Georgia host Hungary in Tbilisi on 14 November at 5pm CET before their campaign concludes against Ukraine in Trnava, Slovakia, on 17 November at 8:45pm CET.
Teams
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Tom Atcheson, Ruairi McConville, Ciaron Brown, Trai Hume, Shea Charles, Ethan Galbraith (Spencer 65′), Justin Devenny, Patrick Kelly (Morrison 74′), Jamie Donley (Magennis 74′), Isaac Price (Marshall 86′)
Substitutes: Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin, Conor Hazard, Josh Magennis, Callum Marshall, Kieran Morrison, Ceadach O’Neill, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Paul Smyth, Brodie Spencer, Jordan Thompson, Eoin Toal
Georgia: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Saba Sazonov, Lasha Dvali, Luka Lochoshvili, Otar Kakabadze, Anzor Mekvabishvili (Lominadze 65′), Giorgi Kochorashvili (Tsitaishvili 46′), Gizo Mamageishvili (Yegoian 74′), Zuriko Davitashvili (Chakvetadze 65′), Budu Zivizivadze (Mikautadze 86′), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Substitutes: Giorgi Chakvetadze, Giorgi Gagua, Saba Goglichidze, Luka Gugeshashvili, Davit Kereselidze, Saba Kharebashvili, Giorgi Kvernadze, Saba Lobjanidze, Nodar Lominadze, Georges Mikautadze, Giorgi Tsitaishvili, Irakli Yegoian
Referee – Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
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