Northern Ireland saved their best until last as they ended a miserable Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on a high note with a 2-0 win over Group H winners Denmark.
Second-half goals from Isaac Price and Dion Charles got Windsor Park roaring again as Northern Ireland recorded only their third win of the year, and the first against anyone other than San Marino.
The match was effectively a dead rubber – Northern Ireland’s hopes of progressing to next summer’s finals were over by the summer while Denmark booked their ticket with a 2-1 win over Slovenia on Friday night – but this was a much-needed win for Michael O’Neill’s men after a testing few months.
🤩🤩💚💚pic.twitter.com/mK8AcTzlPj
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) November 20, 2023
The injury problems that have plagued them from the very start continued to the bitter end with Daniel Ballard ruled out of this one, but the young players O’Neill has had to lean on so heavily should take great encouragement from a win over the top-ranked nation in Group H.
Victory came thanks to two fine goals. On the hour, Jamal Lewis spun away from his man and ran down the left, playing the ball inside to Dion Charles who shuffled it on to Shea Charles. The Southampton man then saw the run of Price, whose shot beat Kasper Schmeichel at his near post.
Then with nine minutes left Conor McMenamin, just on as a substitute, burst down the left, beat Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen and played a low ball across goal for Dion Charles to sweep home.
At the other end, it was a good night too for Conor Hazard. O’Neill had been unhappy with how the Plymouth goalkeeper had conceded the second goal in Friday’s 4-0 loss to Finland, but the stand-in stopper came up with two big saves in the first half here, then another in stoppage time.
O’Neill had made three changes from Friday’s heavy defeat. Ciaron Brown replaced the injured Ballard, Dale Taylor came in for Ross McCausland and Shea Charles returned from suspension at the expense of Jordan Thompson.
As they did in Helsinki, Northern Ireland began well, and they were gifted a golden opportunity eight minutes in when Rasmus Kristensen’s poor header fell into the path of Dion Charles only for the Bolton striker to see his shot rattle the far post.
Eoin Toal then headed wide from a deep cross, but gradually Denmark, sporting seven changes from Friday’s win as Kasper Hjulmand assessed some of his squad players, began to exert control and the spark went out of Northern Ireland’s performance.
Hazard watched Morten Hjulmand’s half-volley fly over the crossbar before Mohamed Daramy cut in from the left to hit a shot which perhaps struck Paddy McNair on the arm although the Middlesbrough man, wearing the captain’s armband, had his hands across his chest.
Hazard made a reaction save to deny Andersen from a corner, and then used less orthodox methods to keep out a long-range effort from ex-Chelsea man Andreas Christiansen, diving to his right and then kicking it clear after it took a deflection off Toal.
💚🤩👊 #GAWA
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) November 20, 2023
The crowd had gone quiet as Denmark bossed play, but it all changed in the second half.
Toal had headed narrowly wide from a Lewis cross just before Price finished off Northern Ireland’s best move of the night, perhaps of the entire campaign, to wake Windsor Park from its slumbers.
Denmark substitute Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg blasted a shot wide soon after, but McMenamin then came off the bench to tee up the decisive second.
After Hazard made another good save to deny Jonas Wind, the match-winner in Copenhagen back in June, in stoppage time the final whistle was greeted with a huge cheer as the frustrations of a long campaign were expunged.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Who remembers this shirt? Since Arteta played for Arsenal Maresca: Do you want something good? Man Utd and Hojlund Paul Pogba will sign for Monaco until 2027, reports Fabrizio Romano POGBACK 10 years ago, Liverpool signed Firmino. Eight years later, he left a legend Lionel Messi turns 38 The man who's won it all has got a new gift on his mind right now... Chel...
Chelsea are reportedly hopeful of reaching an agreement over a £45m transfer deal for Borussia Dortmund left winger Jamie Gittens.The 20-year-old has shown himself to be an exciting young talent with his performances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League in recent times.Chelsea are now seemingly ready to make a third bid for Gittens as they hope to get the deal done for around £45m,...
Man Utd are reportedly on the brink of offloading Jadon Sancho with the help of a former manager.Jadon Sancho is reportedly nearing Fenerbahce.Jadon Sancho has reached an agreement on personal terms with Fenerbahce in a significant step towards a Manchester United exit, according to reports. The 25-year-old is claimed to be nearing a permanent departure, spelling the end of a failed £73millio...
Liverpool have made a centre-back signing their next priority in the transfer market.Liverpool are keeping tabs on Crystal Palace captain Marc GuehiLiverpool reportedly have other centre-backs on their radar despite being heavily linked with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. The Reds have an established partnership between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the centre of their defence, but a ...
Marcus Rashford is likely to leave Manchester United this summer.Marcus Rashford's dream move is reportedly to BarcelonaMarcus Rashford’s dream move to Barcelona FC could be back on with the La Liga club reportedly exploring a loan move for the Manchester United outcast. A move to Catalonia is widely reported to be Rashford’s preferred destination following his temporary spell at Aston...
Newcastle to smash wage structure to make Isak highest-paid player everPer The Times, Newcastle are determined to retain Alexander Isak's services beyond this summer and the officials are set to initiate talks with the player over a new and improved contract, which could potentially fend off interest from the Gunners and Reds. The Magpies are ready to offer a salary beyond £150,000 a week, wh...
Alexander IsakNewcastle United are set to offer a new lucrative contract to Alexander Isak that will make the striker the club's highest-paid player ever.WHAT HAPPENED?Isak had a terrific outing for the Magpies in the 2024-25 campaign as he scored 23 league goals and helped the club secure a Champions League slot. He also played a key role in Eddie Howe's side ending the club's trophy drought with...
Marcus Rashford Man Utd Barcelona 2025Barcelona are keen on a loan deal for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford as they weigh up a permanent move for Nico Williams.WHAT HAPPENED?The reigning La Liga champions are keen to add to their attacking options this summer, with a move for Rashford now back on the table, as first reported by The Sun. The club's unhealthy financial situation means a lo...
Chelsea making new offer for Borussia Dortmund winger GittensChelsea are closing on an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for winger Jamie Gittens.The England U21 international saw a move to Chelsea collapse on the Club World Cup transfer deadline day, leaving the youngster frustrated.However, the move now appears to be back on, with claims an agreement is close to being struck.The Athletic says Che...
Real Madrid set 377M price tag for Rodrygo as Arsenal deal draws closerArsenal have targeted Real Madrid star Rodrygo this summer but will have to pay a hefty price tag to secure his services.The 24-year-old has been linked with a lucrative move to the Gunners this summer after he felt like he was underappreciated in a side that includes some of the best players in the world, including Kylian Mbap...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 7 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 8 Liverpool cult hero waves goodbye as transfer is confirmed: It’s been an absolute honour
- 9 Marcus Rashford to Barcelona is back ON! La Liga champions ready to sanction loan deal for Man Utd outcast amid Nico Williams pursuit
- 10 Barcelona announce Garrido departure