Northern Ireland defeated Iceland tonight – and they had to do it the hard way after being reduced to 10 men with a third of the game remaining.
Another wonder goal from Isaac Price was the difference between the two sides in an international challenge match at the Clearer Twist Stadium at Windsor Park.
Iceland enjoyed a 3-1 victory in a friendly against Scotland at Hampden Park on Friday, while Northern Ireland lost 2-1 to Denmark in Copenhagen the following night.
But Northern Ireland bounced back in front of just over 18,000 spectators to secure a 1-0 victory.
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill made five changes to the team that started against Denmark on Saturday.
He gave a debut to Ross County striker Ronan Hale, while Pierce Charles replaced the injured Conor Hazard in nets.
Brodie Spencer, Paul Smyth and George Saville also came in to the starting eleven, with Ruairi McConville, Alistair McCann, Ethan Galbraith and Dion Charles dropping to the bench.
The match got off to a cagey start. Both teams saw plenty of the ball but lacked penetration, although Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson worked hard to get on the ball for the visitors and run at the Northern Ireland defence.
Shea Charles had an effort blocked, while Iceland midfielder Arnór Traustason also had a shot blocked, as did Price.
On 23 minutes Thorsteinsson curled a shot wide of the post after finding space inside the penalty area.
Around the half-hour mark Conor Bradley had a couple of efforts blocked in quick succession.
In the 36th minute Northern Ireland took the lead when Price produced a stunning goal. Bradley won the ball and fed Saville who then slipped the ball to the attacking midfielder just outside the area and he curled it superbly into the bottom corner from 21 yards.
Shortly after that a loose pass from Saville was intercepted by Iceland captain Hákon Haraldsson, however his low drive was easily gathered in by Pierce Charles.
On 42 minutes a Shea Charles corner evaded the Iceland defence but bounced off Price at the back post to safety.
In added time a Justin Devenny cross was flicked on by captain Trai Hume who found Hale at the back post and his volley smashed off the woodwork. The ball was then recycled to Price who fired over the top.
In the 56th minute Shea Charles whipped in a free-kick which was met by substitute Ethan Galbraith and his clever glancing header screwed past the far post.
Moments later Hale was forced out wide by Iceland keeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson as he looked to get a shot away but he still managed to fire a cross into the danger area. Unfortunately there was no-one in a green shirt there to meet it.
On 57 minutes Brodie Spencer was shown a straight red card by Danish referee Morten Krogh after getting in a tangle with Haraldsson as he sped towards the penalty area after latching on to a ball over the top.
Iceland quickly tried to make the extra man count. The Northern Ireland defence had to be on their toes to block a couple of efforts, while Price cleared an Andri Gudjohnsen diving header off the line.
Down the other end Hume whipped in an excellent cross which was met by defensive partner Daniel Ballard, however he could only guide his header over the bar.
Iceland continued to push forward and substitute Kristian Hlynsson drilled a shot just wide of the post.
Bradley played a wonderful ball into the feet of Northern Ireland substitute Lee Bonis, however covering Iceland defender Ísak Bergmann Johannesson managed to clear the danger.
The closing stages were pretty scrappy, although Pierce Charles was called into action to push away a Johannesson strike, while Gudjohnsen steered an effort off target. But Iceland could not find an equaliser.
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Conor Bradley, Justin Devenny, Brodie Spencer, Daniel Ballard, Trai Hume (captain), George Saville, Shea Charles, Ronan Hale, Isaac Price, Paul Smyth.
Substitutes: (used) Ethan Galbraith, Lee Bonis, Ruairi McConville, Terry Devlin, Brad Lyons; (unused) Luke Southwood, Stephen McMullan, Callum Marshall, Dion Charles, Jamie Donley, Alistair McCann, Caolan Boyd-Munce, Aaron Donnelly, Dale Taylor.
Iceland: Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, Victor Palsson, Logi Tomasson, Daniel Leo Gretarsson, Sverir Ingason, Albert Gudmundsson, Arnor Ingvi Trautason, Willum Thor Willumsson, Andri Gudjohnsen, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (captain), Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.
Substitutes: (used) Isak Bergmann Johannesson, Kristian Hlynsson, Mikael Anderson, Thorir Johann Helgason, Saevar Atli Magnusson, Stefan Teitur Thordarson; (unused) Elias Rafn Olafsson (GK), Anton Einarsson (GK), Aron Gunnarsson, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Hordur Magnusson, Mikael Egill Ellertsson.
Action from the National Stadium
