Shea Charles strikes at 99 minutes as Northern Ireland win in Georgia
Shea Charles scored in the 99th minute to give Northern Ireland a 1-0 win over Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday, 25 September. It was Northern Ireland's first away win in the Nations League. Goalkeeper Pierce Charles kept them in it with a penalty save from Georgia captain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. BBC Sport
The game was Northern Ireland's opener in League B Group 2 of the Nations League, Europe's international league competition played between major tournaments. It is their first campaign in League B after promotion from League C last time. Kick-off was 5pm BST, in a tie that had been scheduled to be played behind closed doors. Irish FA
Manager Michael O'Neill had warned before the game that Georgia's star man needed close attention. He said Northern Ireland would keep a close eye on Kvaratskhelia. His goalkeeper did the rest.
Georgia's big chance came in the 65th minute. Israeli referee Orel Grinfeeld awarded a penalty after a VAR check, the video review system, judged that Daniel Ballard fouled Luka Lochoshvili while challenging for a cross. Pierce Charles stood firm and saved Kvaratskhelia's spot-kick to keep it 0-0.
Northern Ireland had their own frustration in the 88th minute. Shea Charles went down in the box and the penalty appeal was waved away. Late on, substitute Ceadach O'Neill was brought down and no free-kick was given. O'Neill said afterwards he was "baffled" by some of the decisions.
There was a cost to that late passage of play. Ballard injured his hamstring in the move that followed the challenge on O'Neill. He will now miss the next three games against Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia.
There was better news for O'Neill. It was Ceadach O'Neill's third appearance, known as a cap, as a substitute. That third competitive cap ties him to Northern Ireland for three years.
What makes this stand out is the timing and the nerve. A saved penalty, two waved-away shouts, then a winner nine minutes into added time. O'Neill has said this young side is still not near its peak. On this evidence, they are learning fast.
