Northern Ireland v Romania

On the half-hour mark Stuart Dallas blocked a goalbound shot from Robert Mak, while a McNair shot down the other end was blocked by Tomas Hubocan. Towards the end of the half Northern Ireland pushed forward. Dallas screwed a shot well wide of the target and then McGinn fired an effort over the bar from just inside the area. After the restart Baraclough’s boys continued to press. McNair and McGinn both produced inviting crosses before Saville steered an effort wide of the upright. McGinn played in Washington but he shot straight at the keeper. Kucka fizzed a shot wide and then for a lengthy spell Slovakia soaked up pressure through quick passing and good distribution from the back, especially from Milan Skriniar and Lubomir Satka, while Northern Ireland’s final ball again too often let them down. The fans made plenty of noise as the home side tried to find a breakthrough but the Slovakian back line stood firm. Strikes from Jamal Lewis, substitute Kyle Lafferty and McNair were blocked before substitute Jordan Thompson dragged a shot wide.

In the 87th minute Northern Ireland’s persistence paid off and they levelled through a Skriniar own goal. McNair exchanged passes with substitute Gavin Whyte before his running power took him to the byline and his cutback was turned into his own net by the defender. Two minutes later Whyte fed Lafferty, who evaded his markers before smashing a shot against the post. It was so, so close. Northern Ireland withstood some late Slovakian pressure before the game entered extra time. The first effort on target in the extra period saw Lafferty’s scooped shot easily collected by Rodak before Slovakian playmaker Marek Hamsik’s tame effort nestled in Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s arms. Slovakia took the lead again on 110 minutes when a long ball hit Jonny Evans’ thigh and substitute Michal Duris picked up the loose ball before slipping past Evans and netting with a crisp low shot. It proved to be the winner. Right at the death Thompson swung in a cross which was met by Evans but Rodak was equal to his header and that was the last meaningful action of the match.

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