Shea Charles' late strike caps Northern Ireland's dramatic win in Tbilisi

Northern Ireland opened their Nations League campaign with a 1‑0 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi after Shea Charles netted a last‑gasp winner, sealing a dramatic away triumph in the competition.

Early chances and defensive solidity

Trai Hume made an early statement with a sliding tackle on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, while Isaac Price and Shea Charles began to threaten the Georgian defence. Pierce Charles launched a long free‑kick into the box, which Mamardashvili punched to Shea, whose first‑time effort was blocked by Lasha Dvali as the goalkeeper stood out of position.

Georgia did not register a shot until the 38th minute, when a corner from Kvaratskhelia found Giorgi Kvernadze unmarked at the back post; Hume hacked the ball off the line to keep the score level.

Decisive moments and late drama

In the second half, Georges Mikautadze found space on the edge of the six‑yard box, but Pierce Charles adjusted superbly to turn the ball over. Twelve minutes later he celebrated denying Kvaratskhelia from the spot after the Georgian captain’s run‑up was hampered.

At the 65th minute, Pierce guessed right to keep out a poor penalty from Paris St Germain’s Ballon d’Or contender Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, having already saved Mikautadze’s close‑range effort earlier. A nervous VAR check for offside followed the penalty, but the decision stood and Shea Charles prepared for the final blow.

In the ninth minute of added time, a long throw from Georgia was met by a Trai Hume cross; Shea scrambled home the ball to secure Northern Ireland’s first ever away win in this competition.

Michael O’Neill expressed frustration with several decisions by referee Orel Grinfeeld, particularly the penalty that followed a tussle between Dan Ballard and Luka Locoshvili. In stoppage time, Ballard limped off clutching a hamstring, delivering a late blow to the visitors.

The match unfolded inside the 54,000‑capacity Boris Paichadze National Stadium, officially behind closed doors due to sanctions on the Georgian FA. More than 6,000 schoolchildren with vuvuzelas were admitted, drowning out the roughly 60 Northern Ireland fans who had booked travel before the ban.