Substitute Coran Madden struck late on to help Northern Ireland’s Under-19s defeat Azerbaijan 2-1 in a Euro qualifier staged in Lithuania.
Competition
U19 Euro 2027 Qualifiers Round 1
Scoreline
Northern Ireland U19s 2-1 Azerbaijan U19s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Shea McGarry (48’), Coran Madden (84’)
Azerbaijan: Tunjay Ahmadov (25’)
Venue
Raudondvario Stadionas, Raudondvaris
Date
28 March 2026
Team News
A change in format by UEFA means two Northern Ireland U19 teams are currently competing in Euro qualifiers.
Gareth McAuley’s U19 side are in Romania taking part in elite round qualifiers for U19 Euro 2026, while Kris Lindsay has taken charge of a U19 team who are in Lithuania competing in the first round of qualifiers for U19 Euro 2027.
Lindsay has chosen a 20-strong panel for the three-team League B Group 6 mini tournament in Lithuania. His squad mainly features U18 players along with a handful of U17 players.
How it happened
Following a cagey start, Northern Ireland had the first chance of the game when attacker Kalum Thompson steered an effort wide.
Ibrahim Babayev was also off target for Azerbaijan before they took the lead on 25 minutes through captain Tunjay Ahmadov.
Alex Watson failed to convert an opportunity and then Northern Ireland goalkeeper Finn McDonnell saved an effort from Azerbaijan striker Nijat Narimanov, who had provided the assist for the opening goal.
In the 39th minute defender Paul Stanfield’s attempt was off target and four minutes later Azerbaijan keeper Rauf Ayyubov saved a Watson effort.
Half-time: Northern Ireland U19s 0-1 Azerbaijan U19s
Northern Ireland drew level just after the restart when Shea McGarry found the back of the net.
Luke McGerrigan had a shot blocked as Northern Ireland upped the tempo, although McDonnell had to be alert to thwart attempts from Nadir Nasibli and Narimanov.
Then midfielder Ali Gazibayov missed an opportunity, while Northern Ireland striker Sidney Eldred sent an effort wide.
Both substitute Ali Aliyev and Thompson had chances and Northern Ireland captain Troy Savage had a shot blocked.
In the 82nd minute substitute Coran Madden forced a save out of Ayyubov, however two minutes later the Azerbaijan keeper was beaten by him. Eldred teed Madden up to score what proved to be the winner.
In the closing stages substitute Brandon Downey steered an effort wide before Eldred hit the woodwork in added time.
Lindsay’s side will be back at the same venue in central Lithuania on Tuesday (31 March) to take on hosts Lithuania. That game has a 4pm start BST.
Full-time: Northern Ireland U19s 2-1 Azerbaijan U19s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland: Finn McDonnell, Paul Stanfield, Oisin Gamble, Noah McDonnell, Shea McGarry, Troy Savage (captain), Luke McGerrigan, Matthew Burns, Sidney Eldred, Kalum Thompson, Alex Watson.
Substitutes: (used) Brandon Downey, Coran Madden; (unused) Matthew Belshaw (GK), Calum Anderson, Alfie McIlroy, Zachary Sutton, Josef Orpwood, Callum Downey.
Azerbaijan: Rauf Ayyubov, Hazrat Samadov, Murad Gurbanov, Tunjay Ahmadov (captain), Mahammadali Mammadov, Abdulaziz Jabbarli, Nadir Nasibli, Ali Gazibayov, Nijat Narimanov, Islam Hasanov, Ibrahim Babayev.
Substitutes: (used) Ali Aliyev, Ahmad Valiyev, Nurlan Zeynalli, Nijat Maharramov; (unused) Mahdi Hasanov (GK), Ali Ibrahim, Ilkin Hazizada, Tunar Muradov.
