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Bulgaria end wait for victory

Bulgaria 2-0 Republic of Ireland
Bulgaria climbed off the foot of Group 3 after beating their closest rivals thanks to goals from Atanas Kurdov and Momchil Tsvetanov.

Momchil Tsvetanov scored one and created another
Momchil Tsvetanov scored one and created another ©Sportsfile

Final fixtures
Bulgaria had won just one match going into tonight's fixture at the
Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Sofia – 1-0 against high-flying Portugal last October – but triumphed thanks to goals from Atanas Kurdov and Momchil Tsvetanov either side of half-time. Bulgaria have six points going into their final match in Montenegro on Tuesday, when Ireland (four points) travel to Portugal needing to win to prevent a bottom-placed finish.

Searing heat
Despite the searing heat in the capital, the Irish started well and looked comfortable without creating a real opening. Bulgaria's chances had also been of the half variety before they broke the deadlock moments before the interval, Tsvetanov crossing from the left for Kurdov to finish adroitly beyond Shane Redmond. The goalkeeper was beaten again in the 77th minute as Tsvetanov drove the ball low in the visitors' net to end an eleven-month wait for victory.