Charles seals Northern Ireland's 99th-minute win over Georgia

Derek Foss · 2026-09-25T23:20:32.938Z

That penalty save by Pierce Charles was huge and set up the whole win for Northern Ireland.

Charles seals Northern Ireland's 99th-minute win over Georgia — Photo: Franco Monsalvo / Wikimedia Commons (Pexels)

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Northern Ireland beat Georgia 1-0 in Tbilisi on 25 September 2026 in their Nations League opener. Pierce Charles saved a 65th-minute penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Brother Shea Charles scored in the 99th minute from Trai Hume's cross after a VAR offside check. It was Northern Ireland's first away win in the competition. Shea Charles had joined Fulham from Southampton for £30 million. Georgia had no shot on goal until the 38th minute. Earlier, Hume made a sliding tackle on Kvaratskhelia and cleared off the line after a corner found an unmarked attacker. Pierce Charles turned over Georges Mikautadze's shot on the edge of the six-yard box. Kvaratskhelia staggered his penalty run-up. Mamardashvili smothered a Shea Charles counterattack effort. Ceadach O'Neill won his third cap off the bench. Michael O'Neill was frustrated with referee Orel Grinfeeld's decisions, including the penalty after Ballard and Luka Locoshvili tussled. Dan Ballard later suffered a suspected hamstring injury. The 54,000-capacity stadium was officially behind closed doors under sanctions; more than 6,000 schoolchildren and about 60 Northern Ireland fans attended. Contested facts between outlets: none found in the record. The sole center-rated headline focused on late drama and the Shea Charles winner.

Charles seals Northern Ireland's 99th-minute win over Georgia

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