Shea Charles watched goalkeeper brother Pierce produce a second-half penalty save – only to steal the glory with a last-gasp goal in Georgia on a landmark night for Northern Ireland.

With 99 minutes on the clock, frustration for Michael O’Neill’s men over a number of decisions by the match officials turned to delight as Charles got a decisive touch after captain Trai Hume lifted the ball back into the danger area for a 1-0 win.

Pierce Charles proved to be Northern Ireland’s early second-half hero with a stunning save from PSG superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty.

Picking up victories on the road is one of the most difficult tasks in international football – Northern Ireland have now won three of 16 away matches since the start of 2024 thanks to a big moment by the most expensive transfer in our country’s history.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland goalscorer Shea Charles with a big smile and hug for goalkeeper brother Pierce after a dramatic 1-0 win over Georgia in Tbilisi to kick off the UEFA Nations League group stages. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili)

Georgia talisman Kvaratskhelia’s first real influence on the game helped create a controversial second-half penalty with Dan Ballard adjudged to have dragged down Luka Lochoshvili inside the box.

The spot-kick was awarded after a VAR review.

However, goalkeeper Charles was more than a match for two-time Champions League winner Kvaratskhelia, diving out excellently to his left to deny the 25-year-old.

Northern Ireland, in particular, finished frustrated at a number of rejected away spot-kick appeals.

Played ‘behind closed doors’ officially – 6,000 local school kids and 60 Northern Ireland fans were in attendance at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium.

Northern Ireland created their first chance of note after 25 minutes when Isaac Price lofted in a pinpoint delivery which Charles met, but his header sailed harmlessly wide.

Some slick passing from the visitors resulted in Price and Jamie Donley unleashing efforts on goal as Northern Ireland settled in.

Northern Ireland had a scare before half-time when an unmarked Giorgi Kvernadze’s goalbound header from Kvaratskhelia’s corner was cleared off the line by Hume.

Moments after the break, Georgia made a crucial block of their own as Charles’ effort was stopped from troubling the goal following Giorgi Mamardashvili’s punch.

Charles, who returned to Manchester City this summer before joining Queens Park Rangers on loan, kept his side level with a fine save after 54 minutes, denying Georges Mikautadze from close range.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper was called into action once again 11 minutes later, stretching out to deny Kvaratskhelia.

Charles’ older brother had a prime opportunity late on but Mamardashvili produced a fine save.

However, the midfield ace had the final say deep into added time for a dream start to the Nations League campaign ahead of Northern Ireland hosting Hungary on Monday at the National Stadium in Belfast.

NORTHERN IRELAND: P.Charles, Hume, Atcheson (O’Neill, 86), Ballard (McNair, 95), Brown (McConville, 72), Devenny, S.Charles, Kelly (Spencer, 73), Galbraith, Price, Donley (Magennis, 72). Subs (not used): Hazard, Peacock-Farrell, Devlin, Thompson, Marshall, Smyth, Morrison.