Tonight’s UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualifier between Northern Ireland and England is being streamed live.
The game at Goodison Park in Liverpool is scheduled to kick off at 7.45 and it is set to be streamed on the FA’s official England YouTube channel.
Northern Ireland U21s boss Tommy Wright is delighted the game is being streamed.
He pointed out: “We know the enormity of the game but we have prepared well for it.
“We also know that Northern Ireland teams have a history of doing well against big nations and hopefully we can do that tonight.
“I am pleased that our fans will be able to watch the game from the comfort of their homes.”
Wright has a 26-strong panel to choose from for the qualifier against the Group F top seeds at the home of Everton FC, including West Ham United defender Michael Forbes and Portsmouth midfielder Terry Devlin, who joined up with the U21s over the weekend after travelling to Finland last week with Michael O’Neill’s senior squad.
Lee Carsley’s England team currently lie second in the group on nine points, with three wins out of four, while Northern Ireland have three points from their four matches to date. Ukraine top the table with four wins out of four.
Meanwhile, Tommy Wright has also done an interview for the FA’s matchday programme for the game.
In the article the former Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City goalkeeper points out: “I spent 15 and a half years in England so it’s always great to come back. I don’t think I played a competitive game at Goodison but I do remember playing a reserve game there once.
“Judging by the crowd they (England) had at the City Ground, it’s going to be another big night and a great experience for our players.
“The majority of U21 games unfortunately don’t attract big crowds so we’re looking forward to it. Everyone is aware of the history of this ground, it’s a great stadium.”
He also says his team can’t wait to test themselves against the current European champions.
Wright explains: “It’s something we’ll embrace and look forward to. Any game against England is a special one. There’s always a home nations rivalry but England are the team that everybody wants to beat.”
The England squad features the likes of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, Liverpool attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott, Chelsea forward Noni Madueke, Juventus forward Samuel Iling-Junior and striker Liam Delap, who is currently at Hull City on loan from Manchester City.
In the programme Wright further points out: “They’ve an excellent side. You look at their squad and it’s just filled with outstanding players. The majority are playing in the Premiership, the Championship or abroad so we know how difficult a task it’s going to be.”
The former St Johnstone and Kilmarnock manager also says tonight’s game will provide the biggest test for his team in the group.
And he adds: “The majority of our players are playing Under-21 football in PL2. We’ve got one in Scotland and a couple playing in League Two and League One.
"We don’t have that big pool of players. We are a young team, probably the youngest squad in the whole competition. This is another step in their development.”
