Wales and Northern Ireland shared a 1-1 friendly draw at Cardiff City Stadium as they tried to get World Cup heartbreak out of their system. Jamie Donley raised hopes of a first Northern Ireland victory in this fixture since Noel Brotherston's winner at Ninian Park 46 years ago. Northern Ireland were almost punished by another lapse inside seven minutes after Koumas seized on Isaac Price's wayward pass and warmed the hands of Hazard. But Wales levelled within seconds of the restart, with half-time substitute Charles' first task to pick the ball out of the Northern Ireland net. Wilson fired just wide from 18 yards as Wales probed for a winner, but Northern Ireland almost snatched it the death as Callum Marshall's header cleared the crossbar.

Source: Irish Examiner April 01, 2026 09:32 UTC