This was a rollercoaster ride of a football match with Michael O’Neill’s boys seemingly cruising to their first away win of the campaign thanks to goals from Isaac Price and Conor Bradley.
With 20 minutes left the visitors were in complete then two Luxembourg goals in three minutes changed everything.
Highs and lows but ultimately the 2-2 draw was more than enough to top the group and secure promotion to League B because Bulgaria drew 1-1 with Belarus.
Even a defeat here in Luxembourg would have seen O’Neill’s side finish in first place but that would have been a travesty given how well the visitors played for most of the match.
After convincing home victories over Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Belarus this year, this was a mature and at times exhilarating display on the road until things became shaky I the closing stages.
Bear in mind though this was Northern Ireland’s youngest starting XI since World War II with an average age of 22.2!
All over the pitch there were impressive performances none more so than from the excellent Ethan Galbraith in his first start at this level replacing Paul Smyth from Friday’s 2-0 win against Belarus.
Northern Ireland’s Isaac Price celebrates scoring against Luxembourg during Monday night’s UEFA Nations League game at the Stade de Luxembourg. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
Without the suspended Ciaron Brown plus the injured Paddy McNair and Eoin Toal, O’Neill started with a new three man back line of Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard and Ruairi McConville with the Brighton teenager also making his first start.
Pierce Charles was given the nod in goal for his fourth game in a row with Conor Bradley and Brodie Spencer again out wide and captain Shea Charles linking up with Ali McCann in midfield. Up front Dion Charles was supported by Isaac Price and Galbraith.
Early on the visitors were confident enough to ping the ball around though it was a long pass from Pierce Charles that led to the first opening with namesake Dion Charles spinning away and racing clear. With the Bolton hotshot preparing to pull the trigger Luxembourg’s Seid Korac made an excellent tackle and celebrated like he had just scored the winner in the World Cup final!
The next home defender to get excited – having cleared the ball from the advancing Conor Bradley – was Dirk Carlson showing how fired up Luxembourg were.
Within moments at either end Gerson Rodrigues struck wide and Galbraith, who had started well, crossed just too far ahead of Price.
The Standard Liege star was in prime position on 19 minutes though to give O’Neill’s team the lead. Bradley won the ball in the opposition half and then Shea Charles glided forward and when his cross was cleverly left by Dion Charles, former Everton player Price was as cool as the Luxembourg weather to sweep the ball into the net with his right foot. It was a classy finish in the area from the 21-year-old who netted a wonderful hat-trick versus Bulgaria earlier in the campaign.
That’s six international goals now for Price who has come on leaps and bounds under O’Neill.
He tried to make it seven not long after with Luxembourg goalkeeper Tiago Pereira fumbling his effort before collecting the ball. Seconds before the break Price blazed over from inside the area when he would have expected to hit the target. Both opportunities came from Bradley’s industry and quality.
Northern Ireland’s Conor Bradley celebrates scoring against Luxembourg during Monday night’s UEFA Nations League game
The Liverpool star showed his eye for goal 50 minutes in doubling the lead with a header at the back post from Price’s searching cross.
Bradley’s desire to win the ball ahead of his marker was evident and the flailing attempt from the Luxembourg goalkeeper Tiago Pereira was never going to be enough to stop the Tyrone man from grabbing his fourth international goal of the year.
How he enjoyed celebrating with the 1000 strong Green and White Army going buck daft in a corner of the Stade de Luxembourg.
Bradley was within inches of scoring another on 65 after a surging run from Shea Charles and inviting cross courtesy of Price.
That would have killed the game. Seven minutes later the hosts were back in it when Kovac stretched at the far post to turn in a set piece past Pierce Charles who couldn’t keep it out and conceded his first goal in international football.
On 75 minutes somehow the scores were level at 2-2 with Luxembourg’s record goalscorer Gerson Rodrigues smashing in a stormer after collecting the ball just inside the box from a clearing header.
What a turnaround.
At this stage O’Neill must have been fearing another 3-2 defeat in Luxembourg just the shock loss back in 2013 in a World Cup qualifier.
Northern Ireland weren’t settling for a draw with Galbraith smacking in a shot from distance which was well turned away by substitute goalkeeper Ralph Schon and then Bradley’s super cross found no one on the end of it.
George Saville, Jamie Reid and Smyth came on for latter stages and Justin Devenny made his debut in injury time having earned his first Premier League start for Crystal Palace earlier this month.
When the final whistle blew everyone could take a breath and we should appreciate this is quite the achievement for a young group who Northern Ireland fans can be proud of.
Great boys off the pitch they give their all on it.
Winning the group doesn’t just mean promotion to League B of the Nations League it may possibly provide entry into the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup though that depends on a host of Nations League group winners from sections A, B and C finishing in the top two of their World Cup groups.
Time will tell on that. What we know for sure is that under O’Neill this team is improving and while they have much to learn they are willing to work hard and do just that.
It was exactly 43 years ago today that Northern Ireland, through a Gerry Armstrong goal, beat Israel 1-0 at Windsor Park to qualify for the 1982 World Cup.
Obviously drawing Luxembourg doesn’t match that glorious unforgettable night but for this group of players it was the icing on the cake of a sweet campaign.
The good news is this is only the start.
Luxembourg
2
:
2
NI
Stick with us to read Steven Beacom’s match report from the Stade de Luxembourg on a dramatic night for Northern Ireland.
Not that it really matters anymore, but Bulgaria and Belarus finished 1-1. That means Northern Ireland won the group by two points.
It’s a big achievement considering where Northern Ireland where 18 months ago
Injury time in injury time
Pierce Charles is in no rush to take this goal kick…
Isaac Price off, it’s an international debut for Crystal Palace man Justin Devenny.
Ooof. Chance to win it for Northern Ireland. Conor Bradley cuts it across goal, but Ruairi McConville can’t connect.
Three minutes of added time
Shea Charles pings the free-kick into the box. It’s half cleared by Luxembourg. Conor Bradley wins a corner down by the corner flag.
Brodie Spencer wins a free-kick on the halfway line. That will take some pressure off
It should be said, Galbraith was excellent.
This game is frantic now. The Luxembourg goalkeeper just made a tackle 40 yards off his goal line to deny Jamie Reid a free run at goal.
Brodie Spencer makes a great tackle to stop a Luxembourg attack down the right flank
Through ball from Luxembourg. Pierce Charles races off the line and claims it. Relief.
Northern Ireland are clearly quite nervous. They could do with getting the ball down and enjoying a spell of controlled possession. Easier said than done, I know.
It’s all a bit tetchy out there. Niggly fouls and a bit of pushing and shoving.
Luxembourg also changed keeper in the middle of all that.
Ethan Gailbraith unleashes a lethal left boot volley – it’s well saved.