It set up a tense finish at the Stade de Luxembourg but Northern Ireland hung on and the point, coupled with a 1-1 draw between Bulgaria and Belarus, saw them top the group by two points. It was almost a repeat a minute later as Northern Ireland got their goal. Five minutes into the second half Northern Ireland were celebrating again, thanks in large part to a howler from goalkeeper Tiago Pereira. Bradley’s header from Price’s cross should have been routine for the goalkeeper but Pereira somehow let it squirm past him – giving Bradley the 100th Northern Ireland goal of O’Neill’s two spells in charge. Schon was stretching moments later to keep out Galbraith’s shot as the game opened up, but it stayed level and Northern Ireland hung on.

Source: The Herald November 18, 2024 22:13 UTC