BulgariavsNorthern Ireland

Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland: head-to-head stats

Since 1972

Bulgaria

wins

draws

11 meetings

Northern Ireland

wins

Bulgaria and Northern Ireland have met 11 times since 1972: Bulgaria won 6, Northern Ireland 3, and 2 matches were drawn. Bulgaria lead the head-to-head by 3 wins. Goals: Bulgaria 12, Northern Ireland 13. Last meeting: Bulgaria 0–5 Northern Ireland (UEFA Nations League, Oct 15, 2024).

First meeting: Bulgaria 3–0 Northern Ireland; Oct 18, 1972 · FIFA World Cup qualification
Last meeting: Bulgaria 0–5 Northern Ireland; Oct 15, 2024 · UEFA Nations League
Biggest Bulgaria win: Bulgaria 3–0 Northern Ireland; Oct 18, 1972 · FIFA World Cup qualification
Biggest Northern Ireland win: Bulgaria 0–5 Northern Ireland; Oct 15, 2024 · UEFA Nations League

The rivalry, match by match

11 meetings since 1972. Hover or tap a match for the details.

Bulgaria win
Draw
Northern Ireland win
World Cup or continental finals
Bigger = wider margin

↑ Bulgaria win↓ Northern Ireland win

BUL=NIR

1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020

All-time balanceWins difference after every meeting

BUL +32001 · BUL ahead1979 · NIR ahead

Goals per decade

↑ BULNIR ↓

1970s: Bulgaria 3 goals, Northern Ireland 4 goals
1980s: Bulgaria 0 goals, Northern Ireland 0 goals
1990s: Bulgaria 0 goals, Northern Ireland 0 goals
2000s: Bulgaria 6 goals, Northern Ireland 3 goals
2010s: Bulgaria 0 goals, Northern Ireland 0 goals
2020s: Bulgaria 3 goals, Northern Ireland 6 goals

By competition

Competition	P	BUL W	D	NIR W
FIFA World Cup qualification	6	4	2	0
UEFA Euro qualification	2	0	0	2
UEFA Nations League	2	1	0	1
Friendly	1	1	0	0

All meetings

11 matches, newest first, with goalscorers where recorded.

LOct 15, 20240–5AUEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League
Bulgaria: —
Northern Ireland: Isaac Price 15', Isaac Price 29', Dimitar Mitov 32' (OG), Isaac Price 81', Josh Magennis 89'
WSep 8, 20241–0HUEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League
Bulgaria: Kiril Despodov 40'
Northern Ireland: —
WOct 12, 20212–1HFIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
Bulgaria: Todor Nedelev 53', Todor Nedelev 63'
Northern Ireland: Conor Washington 37'
DMar 31, 20210–0AFIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
WFeb 6, 20081–0AFriendly
Friendly
WJun 2, 20011–0AFIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
Bulgaria: Georgi Ivanov 52'
Northern Ireland: —
WMar 28, 20014–3HFIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
Bulgaria: Krasimir Balakov 7' (pen.), Martin Petrov 17', Krassimir Chomakov 72', Martin Petrov 78'
Northern Ireland: Mark Williams 15', Stuart Elliott 84', David Healy 90' (pen.)
LMay 2, 19790–2AUEFA Euro qualification
UEFA Euro qualification
Bulgaria: —
Northern Ireland: Chris Nicholl 16', Gerry Armstrong 30'
LNov 29, 19780–2HUEFA Euro qualification
UEFA Euro qualification
Bulgaria: —
Northern Ireland: Gerry Armstrong 17', Billy Caskey 83'
DSep 26, 19730–0NFIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification

Show all 11 meetings

WOct 18, 19723–0HFIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
Bulgaria: Hristo Bonev 18' (pen.), Bozhil Kolev 53', Hristo Bonev 85' (pen.)
Northern Ireland: —

Sources: martj42/international_results (international matches since 1872, MIT-licensed open dataset) and ESPN for the latest results and fixtures. Predecessor teams follow FIFA attribution (Yugoslavia → Serbia, Czechoslovakia → Czechia).