Northern Ireland stay top after Mamardashvili saves Price penalty

Northern Ireland remained top of Nations League Group B2 after a 0-0 draw with Georgia at Windsor Park on Monday, with Giorgi Mamardashvili saving a late Isaac Price penalty. Michael O’Neill’s team finished the four-match international window unbeaten, taking eight points and keeping a clean sheet in every game, BBC Sport reported.

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The Irish FA’s match report confirmed that Northern Ireland lead Hungary by one point, with Ukraine on four points and Georgia on two. The hosts had opportunities to turn the draw into a victory but were repeatedly denied by Mamardashvili, including a save from substitute Josh Magennis shortly before the penalty incident.

From the corner that followed Magennis’s effort, Ruairi McConville headed against the crossbar while being kicked in the face. After a video review, referee Sebastian Gishamer awarded a penalty and booked Georgia substitute Nodar Lominadze. Mamardashvili then stopped Price’s low spot-kick, preserving the visitors’ chance of taking a point from Belfast.

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles also made important saves, stopping Zuriko Davitashvili in the first half and a deflected effort from Giorgi Tsitaishvili after the break. Georgia captain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia later shot over. At the other end, Ciaron Brown missed the target from a Shea Charles free-kick as the home side continued seeking a winner.

The draw followed away victories over Georgia and Ukraine and another goalless home match against Hungary. BBC Sport reported that Northern Ireland had never previously won an away Nations League game before this window. Their 3-0 victory against Ukraine was played in Slovakia, and the four results brought eight points in 11 days.

O’Neill used only 15 different starters across the four matches, according to the BBC. Conor Bradley and Ali McCann were unavailable at the outset, while Daniel Ballard suffered a hamstring injury after the opening game. The manager praised his players’ application and desire to succeed, describing the period as among his most enjoyable in international management.

Northern Ireland’s remaining group fixtures are against Ukraine in Belfast and Hungary in Budapest next month. They approach those matches with their group lead intact after two wins and two draws.