Northern Ireland v Bulgaria

Words Nigel Tilson

NORTHERN IRELAND LOSE 2-1 TO USA IN CHALLENGE MATCH Northern Ireland were defeated 2-1 by United States of America in a challenge match in Belfast on Sunday.

Goals from American strikers Giovanni Reyna and Christian Pulisic (penalty) secured the victory for the visitors, with Northern Ireland pulling one back late on thanks to a superb strike from substitute Niall McGinn. The game at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park was the first meeting between the two countries at senior international level and it was a pretty lively encounter. Only one of the Northern Ireland players who started against Italy in a World Cup qualifier last Thursday were in the starting eleven, while regular captain Steven Davis and vice captain Jonny Evans were left out of Ian Baraclough’s squad. The Americans, by contrast, fielded a strong starting eleven peppered with players who play for big European clubs. The first clearcut chance of the game fell to Kyle Lafferty, who was captaining Northern Ireland and earning his 81st cap for his country. George Saville’s slick pass put the striker clear of the American defence but he pulled his shot wide of the post. Then Corry Evans produced a decent strike as the American defence cleared a corner, however his rising effort flew just over the top.

Northern Ireland had a flurry of set-pieces but the US defence held firm, with Matthew Miazga imperious, and then USA took the lead against the run of play through Reyna on 29 minutes. Tim Ream slipped the ball to the unmarked Reyna who let fly from 22 yards. His shot deflected off Ciaron Brown and looped over Conor Hazard’s head into the net. In the 37th minute Shayne Lavery, who was full of running, produced a clever low drive which was palmed away by US keeper Zack Steffen. Just after the break Brown thwarted Reyna as he bore down on goal, although the Americans doubled their lead on 59 minutes when Pulisic scored from the spot. The penalty was awarded when Ballard was adjudged to have scythed down Pulisic inside the area. Dion Charles, one of four Northern Ireland subs introduced just after Pulisic’s goal, had his first strike at international level five minutes later. Lafferty teed him up just outside the area and Charles curled his shot inches wide of the upright. McGinn pounced in the 88th minute to blast the ball home from a tight angle. It was a lovely half-volley finish as he got on the end of a Lafferty flick-on.

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