Northern Ireland’s joy at reaching the play-offs was tempered by Chris Brunt’s wild own goal in Norway ensuring the likes of Portugal could stand between them and a place in Russia next summer.
Michael O’Neill’s players knew their place in November’s play-offs was guaranteed less than an hour before kick-off in Oslo as Scotland’s draw with Slovenia guaranteed the Northern Irish one of the play-off berths on offer.
A victory over Norway was still important if they wanted to stand a chance of being seeded for that draw, yet Brunt’s bizarre own goal 19 minutes from time, in which he hacked an attempted left-footed clearance into his net, essentially scuppered those hopes as they lost 1-0.
The dream continues… ???? pic.twitter.com/Ra3x1CJ8Fv
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) October 8, 2017
What they said
Northern Ireland confirmed in play-offs ahead of kick-off tonight. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/aAdvTepHkf
— European Qualifiers (@EuroQualifiers) October 8, 2017
Northern Ireland boss O’Neill: “I’m not sure being a seeded team will be a huge advantage, we will have to see the outcome of the games over the next 48 hours. I think we can be a threat. We know what we are, we’re a difficult team to beat, there’s no huge stars, we’ve made up of players who predominantly play their football outside the top divisions – they are well organised, play for each other and the shirt. We will aim to make life extremely difficult for whoever we get in the play-offs and know we are capable of doing that.”
Norway coach Lars Lagerback: “If you play one of the top teams of course it is difficult. But I would never count out Northern Ireland. I think they have a fair and realistic chance to beat anyone.”
Tweet of the match
Surely explanation of why the NIR own-goal occurred comes down to Brunt using his left foot instead of his right – as opposed to blaming GK?
— Paul Lake (@Paul_Lake) October 8, 2017
Star man – Alexander Sorloth
⚽️ RESULTS ⚽️
QUALIFIED: Poland seal @FIFAWorldCup spot! ????????
PLAY-OFFS: Denmark + Northern Ireland ????
Details ???? https://t.co/e0Gx91rHrp pic.twitter.com/HQr7xq8kU1— European Qualifiers (@EuroQualifiers) October 8, 2017
The lively FC Midtjylland forward stretched Northern Ireland’s back-line, saw an effort ruled out for offside and had a hand in the move which led to the only goal of the night.
Moment of the match
???????? GOAL | Own goal by Chris Brunt after a dangerous ball comes into the box from Norway ???? #GAWA #NORNIR
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) October 8, 2017
Brunt’s bizarre own goal was one of the few moments of note in an uneventful Oslo encounter. After goalkeeper Michael McGovern had flapped at Stefan Johansen’s left-wing centre, West Brom left-back Brunt inexplicably lashed the ball high into the net from a couple of yards out under very little pressure.
View from the bench
FULL TIME | Slovenia 2 – 2 Scotland. Slovakia's win over Malta means it is the end to Scotland's World Cup hopes #SVNSCO pic.twitter.com/AdXabRk717
— Scotland (@ScottishFA) October 8, 2017
O’Neill’s men knew they could relax slightly going into this final qualifier after Scotland’s earlier draw ensured Northern Ireland a place in the play-offs. The biggest concern for the manager was perhaps the prospect of one of his players picking up a suspension, but all six men who were one booking away from a ban – captain Steven Davis, defender Jonny Evans, midfielders Corry Evans and Oliver Norwood, forward Josh Magennis and winger Stuart Dallas – came through unscathed.
Ratings
Northern Ireland: Michael McGovern: 6, Conor McLaughlin: 6, Gareth McAuley: 5, Jonny Evans: 7, Chris Brunt: 4, Steven Davis: 6, Corry Evans: 7, Oliver Norwood: 7, Josh Magennis: 5, Conor Washington: 6, Stuart Dallas: 6. Substitutes: George Saville (on for Norwood, 46): 7, Kyle Lafferty (on for Washington, 69): 6, Shane Ferguson (on for Corry Evans, 79): 6.
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