Northern Ireland’s Under-19s reached the elite round of the U19 Euro 2026 qualifiers with a game to spare following a 1-0 win against Azerbaijan.
Competition
U19 Euro 2026 Qualifying Round (Group 13)
Scoreline
Northern Ireland U19s 1-0 Azerbaijan U19s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Braiden Graham (pictured) (33’)
Venue
Centenary Stadium, Ta’Qali
Date
15 November 2025
Team News
The U19s are competing in four-team Group 13 in the qualifying round for UEFA U19 Euro 2026 this month, with the games being staged in Malta.
Northern Ireland defeated the hosts 1-0 in their first game.
For game number two, against Azerbaijan, Under-19s boss Gareth McAuley made two changes to the team that started against the Maltese.
Defender Callum Leacock and midfielder Joe Sheridan were promoted from the bench. They replaced defender Luke Matykiewicz and attacker Paul McGovern.
How it happened
Northern Ireland had the first attempt of the game, with Callum Burnside missing the target.
Joe Sheridan then had a chance before a shot from striker Braiden Graham was blocked.
On the half-hour mark Northern Ireland captain Blaine McClure fired in a free-kick which was met by defender James Simpson and he forced a save out of Azerbaijan keeper Habib Hushanov.
In the 33rd minute Northern Ireland took the lead, Burnside finding Graham, who applied the finish.
In the closing stages of the half Graham and Ceadach O’Neill both had efforts blocked and a Burnside attempt was off target.
Half-time: Northern Ireland U19s 1-0 Azerbaijan U19s
Northern Ireland keeper Josh Gracey, who had mainly been a spectator in the first half, was called into action on 48 minutes to thwart midfielder Mehdi Mutallimli. And Azerbaijan striker Shahismayil Jafarov had an effort blocked.
The game was scrappy until O’Neill put an effort wide on 75 minutes. After that chances were few and far between until Graham’s attempt in added time went wide.
The victory meant Northern Ireland will finish at least second in their group, earning a place in the elite round.
The top two teams in 13 groups as well as the best third-placed team will join top seeds Spain in the elite round draw on 10 December. The elite round in spring 2026 will produce the seven nations joining hosts Wales in the finals scheduled from 28 June to 11 July next year.
Czechia, who hammered Azerbaijan in their opening game, drew 2-2 with Malta today to reach four points.
Northern Ireland’s final game in the mini tournament is against the Czechs and if McAuley’s side avoid defeat they will top the group.
That game is due to be played on Tuesday (18 November) and will once again be staged at Ta’Qali (10am GMT start).
Full-time: Northern Ireland U19s 1-0 Azerbaijan U19s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland: Josh Gracey, James Simpson, Keevan Hawthorne,Callum Leacock,Broghan Sewell, Callum Burnside, Joe Sheridan, Blaine McClure (captain), Braiden Graham, George Feeney, Ceadach O’Neill.
Substitutes: (used) Brandon Downey, Dylan Stitt, Kalum Thompson, Paul McGovern; (unused) Will Murdock (GK), Jack Doherty, Luke Matykiewicz, Alfie Friars, Coist Walker.
Azerbaijan: Habib Hushanov, Nadir Orujov, Vusal Pashayev (captain), Omar Hasanli, Tunjay Ahmadov, Mehdi Mutallimli, Ziya Shakarkhanov, Aliakbar Rzazada, Shahismayil Jafarov, Eltun Babazada, Shahin Ibrahimov.
Substitutes: (used) Rauf Gafarov, Anar Huseynov, Nihad Orujali, Masud Alishanli; (unused) Aykhan Abbaszada (GK), Seydi Danziyev, Javid Malikov, Rashad Alishov.
