Northern Ireland beat Georgia late as Ballard suffers hamstring injury

Northern Ireland secured their first away victory in the Nations League with a 1-0 win over Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday, but lost defender Daniel Ballard to a hamstring injury. According to BBC Sport NI's report, Shea Charles scored in the 99th minute after his brother Pierce had kept the visitors level by saving a penalty from Georgia captain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

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The decisive goal followed a second half in which Northern Ireland faced increased pressure from the hosts. Manager Michael O'Neill told BBC Sport NI that Georgia had brought Kvaratskhelia into the game more effectively after the interval. He praised his players for their resilience, while expressing frustration with several decisions made by referee Orel Grinfeeld during a match that remained goalless until the closing moments.

Georgia's penalty came after a VAR review in the 65th minute. Ballard was judged to have fouled Luka Lochoshvili while contesting a cross, giving Kvaratskhelia an opportunity to put the home side ahead. Pierce Charles saved the Paris St-Germain winger's spot-kick. O'Neill questioned the award afterwards, although he acknowledged that he had not watched the incident back when discussing it with the BBC.

Northern Ireland then had their own penalty appeal turned down in the 88th minute, when Shea Charles appeared to have been caught inside the area. O'Neill also objected to the lack of a free-kick after substitute Ceadach O'Neill was brought down late in the game. His complaints concerned both the penalty decisions and the passage of play that preceded Ballard's injury.

Ballard pulled up while pursuing a loose ball as Georgia counter-attacked following that challenge on Ceadach O'Neill. The manager identified the Sunderland defender's injury as a hamstring problem and said a scan was planned for Saturday. He ruled Ballard out of Northern Ireland's next three matches in the international window, against Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia, without giving a longer-term recovery date.

Shea Charles ultimately settled the contest with his late winner, completing a night in which both brothers made decisive contributions. The result delivered a Nations League milestone for Northern Ireland, while Ballard's absence leaves O'Neill without a key defender for the remaining three fixtures of the window.