Northern Ireland got their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign off to a fine start with a 3-1 win away to Luxembourg tonight.
An early goal from Jamie Reid and second half goals from Shea Charles and Justin Devenny eased them to victory in their Group A opener.
Michael O’Neill’s team started strongly in rainy conditions in front of 9200 fans at Stade de Luxembourg, including around 1100 members of the Green and White Army.
Northern Ireland had the first attempt on goal after just two minutes. Midfielder Ali McCann picked up a loose ball just outside the area but fired his shot straight at Luxembourg keeper Anthony Moris.
It was not long until the visitors took the lead. Luxembourg defender Seid Korac slipped and handled the ball as he tussled with Jamie Reid just inside the penalty area. Following a VAR review, referee Andris Treimanis awarded a spot kick.
Isaac Price stepped up to take the penalty in the seventh minute. However, Moris pushed out his effort only for Reid to react quickest and hammer the loose ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
Luxembourg midfielder Mathias Olesen put a long-range effort wide and then he fired a free-kick over the top.
Conor Bradley produced a great, crunching tackle to stop Dirk Carlson in his tracks as he sped down the left flank.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who was winning his 49th cap, was called into action on 26 minutes. He got down well to push out a header from Olesen.
Luxembourg, who had been pushing forward, equalised on the half-hour mark. Striker Aiman Dardari ran at the Northern Ireland defence and found space to fire a low shot into the corner of the net from 18 yards.
In added time in the first half Devenny smashed a free-kick against the crossbar. It was a great effort.
Just after the restart Northern Ireland regained the lead. Bradley’s cross was cleared to the edge of the box where Charles struck the ball first time and it whizzed into the back of the net. His slightly deflected strike was a lovely effort for his first senior international goal.
Isaac Price cleverly turned away from his marker on the edge of the area but his shot drifted wide of the far post.
Bradley fired another dangerous cross into the area, however Eoin Toal could only guide his header straight at the keeper.
On 66 minutes Luxembourg were reduced to 10 men when Korac received a second yellow card for a foul on Reid. And it was confirmed following a VAR check.
In the 70th minute Devenny made it 3-1 to Northern Ireland. A headed clearance by a Luxembourg defender fell to him eight yards out and he smashed the ball home. It was also his first senior international goal.
The home side tried to bounce back quickly, however a shot from substitute Yvandro Borges Sanches was easily gathered in by Peacock-Farrell.
Man of the match Ethan Galbraith had an effort blocked by Luxembourg’s Florian Bohnert before substitute Callum Marshall had a shot blocked, after racing from his own half, as Northern Ireland went in search of a fourth.
Luxembourg had a couple of attempts late on, although the Northern Ireland defence comfortably held firm.
Next up for Michael O’Neill’s side is a trip to Koln (Cologne) to face Germany, who lost 2-0 to Slovakia tonight in their opening Group A qualifier. That game takes place at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion on Sunday (7.45pm start BST).
Luxembourg: Anthony Moris, Dirk Carlson, Laurent Jans (captain), Seid Korac, Enes Mahmutovic, Tomas Moreira, Mathias Olesen, Leandro Barreiro, Aiman Dardari, Danel Sinani, Florian Bohnert.
Substitutes: (used) Yvandro Borges Sanches, Edvin Muratovic, Michael Pinto, Enzo Duarte; (unused)Tiago Pereira (GK), Lucas Fox (GK), Alessio Curci, Eric Veiga, Olivier Thill, Eldin Dzogovic, Vahid Selimovic, Marvin Martins.
Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Bradley, Justin Devenny, Trai Hume (captain), Paddy McNair, Eoin Toal, Ethan Galbraith, Shea Charles, Jamie Reid, Isaac Price, Alistair McCann.
Substitutes: (used) Callum Marshall, Jamie Donley, Ruairi McConville, Dion Charles, George Saville; (unused)Luke Southwood (GK), Stephen McMullan (GK), Ryan Johnson, Terry Devlin, Jamie McDonnell, Ronan Hale, Dale Taylor.
Action from Luxembourg
