Georgia finished with 58% possession and nine corners, but neither side scored before the interval, with the score 0-0 at half-time. At 45', Georgia brought on Giorgi Chakvetadze for Saba Kharebashvili.
At 64', VAR awarded Georgia a penalty. Daniel Ballard was booked in the same minute, and Ciaron Brown received a yellow card at 67'. The score remained 0-0.
Northern Ireland made three changes in quick succession: Josh Magennis replaced Jamie Donley at 72', then Brodie Spencer and Ruairi McConville came on for Patrick Kelly and Ciaron Brown at 73'. Georgia responded at 77', introducing Otar Kiteishvili and Zuriko Davitashvili for Anzor Mekvabishvili and Giorgi Kvernadze.
Georgia sent on Ilia Beriashvili at 85' and Jemal Tabidze at 86'; Northern Ireland brought on Ceadach Liam O'Neill at 86'. At 90+5', Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Justin Devenny were booked, before Paddy McNair replaced Daniel Ballard.
Northern Ireland finally broke through at 90+9': Shea Charles scored from Trai Hume’s assist to make it 0-1. VAR confirmed the goal at 90+11'. Georgia had five shots on target, but Northern Ireland’s late finish proved decisive.
| Metric | Georgia | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots | 8 | 13 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 6 |
| Shots off target | 1 | 3 |
| Corners | 9 | 1 |
| Fouls | 17 | 7 |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 3 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 0 | 3 |
| Goalkeeper saves | 5 | 4 |