Northern Ireland’s Under-21s completed their UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualification campaign with a draw against Luxembourg tonight.
After an emphatic 5-0 win over Azerbaijan in their penultimate qualifier on Saturday, Tommy Wright’s side had to settle for a goalless draw at the Emile Mayrisch Stadium in Esch-sur-Alzette in south-western Luxembourg.
It was another good performance from the U21s, who deserved more than a point for their efforts.
Wright made just one change from the team that defeated Azerbaijan in Ballymena. Michael Forbes slotted into the backline, with Sean Stewart missing out.
The result means Northern Ireland have finished fourth in Group F of the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualifiers on 11 points, ahead of Luxembourg (eight points) and Azerbaijan (three points).
Serbia (16 points) upset the apple cart tonight by defeating pacesetters Ukraine (24 points) by a goal to nil, allowing England (25 points) to top the group thanks to a 7-0 win over Azerbaijan. Both reigning U21 European champions England and Ukraine, as one of the three best runners-up, have qualified automatically for next summer’s finals in Slovakia.
After a cagey start in the Emile Mayrisch Stadium, Wright’s side began to enjoy good possession.
Midfielder Justin Devenny fired in a free-kick on 12 minutes which was blocked. Then Luxembourg keeper Eldin Latik made a couple of saves in quick succession from midfielder Charlie Allen and striker Dale Taylor.
In the 21st minute Allen got on the end of a long pass from defender Aaron Donnelly and blasted the ball against the woodwork as Northern Ireland pressed.
The game then became a bit scrappy before Luxembourg striker Jayson Videira put an effort wide.
As half-time approached Latik saved another drive from Taylor before attacker JJ McKiernan steered a shot wide.
Just after the break Allen tested Latik once more before missing the target with another effort.
Around the hour mark Luxembourg had a couple of opportunities, however both right-back Yohann Torres and midfielder Fabio Lohie guided their attempts wide of the target. Defender Miguel Goncalves also missed a chance as the home side pushed forward.
Allen was given his marching orders in the 72nd minute for a second bookable offence.
Two Northern Ireland substitutes combined well on 85 minutes. Terry Devlin fed Makenzie Kirk and the striker’s shot was well saved by the Luxembourg keeper.
Afterwards Tommy Wright said: “It wasn’t the win that we wanted. We had lots of chances in the first half. At times it was scrappy, which suited them more than us.
“The players dug deep. We had to play 20 minutes with 10 men. It was difficult but it showed the character of the players.
“I think the game tonight summed up our whole campaign. There were real moments of quality, there were times when we should have made more of the opportunities that we had, but the one thing about the performance tonight was the determination of the players to not lose a game.
“Overall we should have won the game. We had the better chances. I was happy with the point considering how the game went.”
Reflecting on the campaign, he added: “I am really, really pleased with the progress the team and the players have made over the course of the campaign.”
Luxembourg: Eldin Latik, Yohann Torres, Franz Sinner (captain), Massimo Agostinelli, Miguel Goncalves, Sofiane Ikene, Fabio Lohei, Clayton Irigoyen, Jayson Videira, David Jonathans, Ivan Englaro.
Substitutes: (used) Leon Elshan, Aiman Dardari, Adulai Djabi Embalo, Tim Flick; (unused) Fabian Heck (GK), Denis Ahmetxheka, Lenny Correia, Taylan Lionel Amou, Cedric Baiverlin.
Northern Ireland: Stephen McMullan, Aaron Donnelly, Ruairi McConville, Michael Forbes, Tommy Fogarty, Justin Devenny, Carl Johnston (captain), Patrick Kelly, Dale Taylor, Charlie Allen, JJ McKiernan.
Substitutes: (used) Terry Devlin, Makenzie Kirk, Darren Robinson, Dylan Sloan; (unused) Josh Clarke (GK), Sean Stewart, Jamie McDonnell, Matty Lusty, Shea Kearney.
