Northern Ireland were held to a 0-0 draw by Georgia in the UEFA Nations League on Monday night after Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Isaac Price's 84th-minute penalty at Windsor Park in Belfast. Despite the frustration, Northern Ireland remain unbeaten and top of League B Group B2.
The late drama
With the match still goalless in the closing stages, Northern Ireland thought they had their breakthrough when a goalmouth scramble saw Ruairi McConville's header strike the crossbar. After a VAR review, Austrian referee Sebastian Gishamer awarded a penalty, ruling that a combination of Nodar Lominadze and Saba Sazonov had fouled McConville in the scramble.
Price stepped up — days after scoring his first goal in 10 internationals against Ukraine the previous Friday — but Mamardashvili, Georgia's Liverpool goalkeeper, guessed right and made what was described as a comfortable save.
Defensive record intact
The draw keeps Northern Ireland's remarkable defensive record alive. They are still the only side yet to concede in this season's Nations League, and the goalless draw means four consecutive competitive clean sheets — the first time they have managed that since 2017.
Goalkeeper Pierce Charles, 21, played his part with big saves from Zuriko Davitashvili and Giorgi Tsitaishvili. The clean sheet was his seventh in nine competitive appearances for his country.
Group picture
Northern Ireland stay top of Group B2 but their lead is now down to a single point after Hungary's 2-1 win over Ukraine on the same night.
For Georgia, the wait goes on. They are still yet to score in this season's Nations League, and interim coach Ramaz Svanadze is still awaiting his first win in charge after taking over following the sacking of Willy Sagnol — dismissed after Georgia lost 1-0 to Northern Ireland in Tbilisi 11 days earlier. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a reported Ballon d'Or nominee, showed flashes of quality but could not find a way through.
Sources: Nations League: Italy go second with Turkey as Northern Ireland held but remain top; Mamardashvili's late penalty save denies Northern Ireland win vs Georgia; Northern Ireland rue Isaac Price penalty miss as they draw with Georgia
The late drama
With the match still goalless in the closing stages, Northern Ireland thought they had their breakthrough when a goalmouth scramble saw Ruairi McConville's header strike the crossbar. After a VAR review, Austrian referee Sebastian Gishamer awarded a penalty, ruling that a combination of Nodar Lominadze and Saba Sazonov had fouled McConville in the scramble.
Price stepped up — days after scoring his first goal in 10 internationals against Ukraine the previous Friday — but Mamardashvili, Georgia's Liverpool goalkeeper, guessed right and made what was described as a comfortable save.
Defensive record intact
The draw keeps Northern Ireland's remarkable defensive record alive. They are still the only side yet to concede in this season's Nations League, and the goalless draw means four consecutive competitive clean sheets — the first time they have managed that since 2017.
Goalkeeper Pierce Charles, 21, played his part with big saves from Zuriko Davitashvili and Giorgi Tsitaishvili. The clean sheet was his seventh in nine competitive appearances for his country.
Group picture
Northern Ireland stay top of Group B2 but their lead is now down to a single point after Hungary's 2-1 win over Ukraine on the same night.
For Georgia, the wait goes on. They are still yet to score in this season's Nations League, and interim coach Ramaz Svanadze is still awaiting his first win in charge after taking over following the sacking of Willy Sagnol — dismissed after Georgia lost 1-0 to Northern Ireland in Tbilisi 11 days earlier. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a reported Ballon d'Or nominee, showed flashes of quality but could not find a way through.
Sources: Nations League: Italy go second with Turkey as Northern Ireland held but remain top; Mamardashvili's late penalty save denies Northern Ireland win vs Georgia; Northern Ireland rue Isaac Price penalty miss as they draw with Georgia
