Northern Ireland U19s exited the UEFA U19 European Championship after going down to a goal in each half to Norway at Seaview.
Competition
UEFA U19 European Championship Group A
Scoreline
Northern Ireland U19s 0 Norway U19s 2
Scorers
Norway: Daniel Braut (33', 65')
Venue
Seaview, Belfast
Date
21 July 2024
Team News
U19s boss Gareth McAuley made four changes to the starting XI that lost to Italy on Thursday night, with Tom Atcheson, Braiden Graham, Sam Glenfield and Aodhan Doherty all making their return.
St Mirren midfielder Gallagher Lennon retained the captain's armband.
How it happened
A brisk, fast paced start to the game saw lots of endeavour from both sides, albeit without that cutting edge in front of goal.
Indeed it took until around the quarter-of-an-hour mark for the first effort of note to be created when Jack Doherty was afforded some time and space down the right at the end of an impressive flowing move only to blast his shot into the side netting.
Then, a few minutes after that, Northern Ireland's energy took apart the Norway defence with Sam Glenfield teeing up Dylan Stitt but his effort was well saved by keeper Martin Børsheim.
However, somewhat against the run of play, it fell to Norway to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark when Bork Bang-Kittilsen touched the ball on for Aleksander Andresen who, in turn, played it across the area for Daniel Braut to scramble over the line after the defence failed to clear their lines.
And Norway might have doubled their advantage just before the break after Simen Vatne Haram rose highest to meet Sondre Granaas' corner but his powerful header went over the top.
Half-time: Northern Ireland U19s 0 Norway U19s 1
McAuley's side came out after the break in determined mood, and might have levelled early on but Sam Glenfield's low shot from distance was gathered by the keeper at the near post.
Play switched quickly to the other end but Gallagher Lennon was on hand to head clear a Bang-Kittilsen shot which was indicative of the well marshalled Northern Ireland defence that dealt well with the considerable periods of pressure forced upon them.
But the defence was unlocked on 65 minutes after a Benjamin Faraas ball from the right reached Braut on the edge of the six-yard box and he doubled his tally for the evening despite Pierce Charles' best efforts in getting a hand to the ball.
Braut almost laid claim to the match ball with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining with a shot against the crossbar, subsequently cleared by Lennon, and followed by another shot from outside the area which Charles saved well.
The 19-year-old Sandnes Ulf midfielder was then thwarted by the woodwork again on 81 minutes after winning possession in the middle of the park and having a go from distance.
Northern Ireland's efforts throughout the game - and indeed the tournament - deserved a goal, and they almost got it soon after when substitutes Aodhan Doherty and Lewis Trickett combined down the left for the latter to test the keeper at the near post.
Another substitute, Kieran Morrison, then displayed some great skill to bring the ball into the right side of the area to force a great one-handed save from Børsheim with Braiden Graham's follow-up header desperately cleared.
This attacking intent continued into stoppage time as the impressive Morrison weaved through the defence only to see his effort from the right curl over the far post while, moments after that, Conor Barr's low drive from outside the area took a deflection before being gathered.
In the other Group A game, played simultaneously at Inver Park, Ukraine defeated Italy 3-2 - a result that was enough for both to qualify for the semi-finals.
Full-time: Northern Ireland U19s 0 Norway U19s 2
Line-ups
Northern Ireland U19s: Pierce Charles, Conor Barr, Joshua Briggs, Tom Atcheson, Joel Thompson, Jack Doherty, Gallagher Lennon, Dylan Stitt, Braiden Graham, Sam Glenfield, Aodhan Doherty.
Substitutes: (used) Reece Evans, Kieran Morrison, Lewis Trickett, Corey Smith; (unused) Mason Munn, George Goodman, Jack Hamilton, Daithi McCallion.
Norway U19s: Martin Børsheim, Filip Loftesnes-Bjune, Rasmus Holten, Simen Vatne Haram, Aleksander Andresen, Eivind Helland, Benjamin Faraas, Travis Hernes, Sondre Granaas, Bork Bang-Kittilsen, Daniel Braut.
Substitutes: (used) Edwin Austbø, Sander Kilen, Kristoffer Steinset, Vetle Auklend, Håkon Røsten; (unused) Sander Østraat, Julian Gonstad, Aleksander Kjelsen, Mats Pedersen.
