Northern Ireland earned promotion to League B of the UEFA Nations League following a 2-2 draw against Luxembourg tonight.
Michael O’Neill’s side were in control of the UNL League C Group 3 match at the Stade de Luxembourg for long spells.
They went two up in the game and were looking comfortable before two goals in quick succession by the home side earned both teams a point.
Northern Ireland only needed a draw against Luxembourg to top UNL League C Group 3and earn promotion to League B for the fifth edition of the Nations League.
Over 1000 Northern Ireland fans were among the 6870 in attendance at the Stade de Luxembourg for the final C3 game for both nations.
The Northern Ireland boss made two changes to the team that started the 2-0 win over Belarus in Belfast on Friday.
Central defender Ruairi McConville came in for his first start, following his debut late on against the Belarusians. He replaced the suspended Ciaron Brown.
Midfielder Ethan Galbraith was also brought in to the starting 11, while Paul Smyth dropped to the bench.
A long ball from Pierce Charles was latched onto by Dion Charles, however the striker was stopped in his tracks by Seid Korac as he bore down on goal.
The first decent chance of the game fell to Luxembourg striker Gerson Rodrigues, however he could only guide his shot wide.
Then Galbraith almost found the onrushing Isaac Price with a low cross across the face of goal.
In the 19th minute Northern Ireland opened the scoring with a well worked goal. Shea Charles threaded a pass towards Dion Charles, who stepped over the ball and let it run to Price and he curled it into the bottom corner. It was a lovely finish.
Northern Ireland captain Shea Charles fired over the top as the visitors threatened again.
On 28 minutes a Rodrigues piledriver flashed past the upright, while Price’s low curling effort was gathered in by Luxembourg keeper Tiago Pereira.
As half-time approached a clever Conor Bradley cut-back found Price in space, but his shot sailed over the top.
Northern Ireland extended their lead in the 50th minute. Price fired a cross to the back post where Bradley nodded it home with a little help from the keeper’s chest.
McConville then headed over the top from a Shea Charles corner as the visitors oozed confidence.
Another sweeping move saw Price ping a cross to the back post where Bradley steered the ball just past the post.
Luxembourg pulled a goal back on 72 minutes against the run of play. Danel Sinani whipped a free-kick into the danger zone and Korac was on hand to slot it into the net.
It was 2-2 just three minutes later. A headed clearance by Daniel Ballard fell to Rodrigues and he controlled the ball on his chest before smashing a half-volley into the top corner from 14 yards.
Substitute goalkeeper Ralph Schon pushed out a stinging drive from Galbraith as Northern Ireland tried to bounce back.
In added time Bradley superbly worked his way into the area, however his low cross went agonisingly wide of the far post.
Midfielder Justin Devenny then made his senior debut for Northern Ireland as the game drew to a close.
Northern Ireland topped the C3 group with 11 points from six games, while Bulgaria finished second with nine points after drawing 1-1 with Belarus at home tonight. Belarus were third with seven points and Luxembourg registered three points.
Luxembourg: Tiago Pereira, Florian Bohnhert, Laurent Jans (captain), Seid Korac, Dirk Carlson, Tomas Moreira, Christopher Martins, Leandro Barreiro, Danel Sinani, Gerson Rodrigues, Michael Pinto.
Substitutes: (used) Enes Mahmutovic, Mathias Olesen, Ralph Schon (GK), Alessio Curci, Marvin Martins; (unused) Lucas Fox (GK), Lars Gerson, Michael Omosanya, Kevin D’Anzico, Eldin Dzogovic, Timothe Rupil, Sebastien Thill.
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Trai Hume, Brodie Spencer, Daniel Ballard, Ruairi McConville, Alistair McCann, Ethan Galbraith, Conor Bradley, Dion Charles, Shea Charles (captain), Isaac Price.
Substitutes: (used) Jamie Reid, George Saville, Paul Smyth, Justin Devenny; (unused) Bailey Peacock-Farrell (GK), Luke Southwood (GK), Josh Magennis, Brad Lyons, Kofi Balmer, Callum Marshall, Jordan Thompson, Lee Bonis.
Action from Stade de Luxembourg
