World Cup 2018: Northern Ireland 2-0 Czech Republic

Jonny Evans headed Northern Ireland into the lead with only his second international goal

Northern Ireland secured second place in Group C and took a huge step towards a World Cup play-off place by beating the Czech Republic at Windsor Park.

Defender Jonny Evans headed the hosts in front before his West Bromwich Albion team-mate Chris Brunt fired in a superb free-kick before the interval.

Northern Ireland, who have now won five matches in a row for the first time, still have to face Germany and Norway.

Eight of the nine European group runners-up will make the play-offs.

Germany in charge of Group C

Northern Ireland have won five matches in a row and kept five clean sheets

Leaders Germany look almost certain to top Group C after hammering Norway 6-0, and their goal difference means they could only surrender top spot if they lose their last two games to Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.

Michael O'Neill's side are five points behind the world champions but in a good position to progress to the November play-offs.

This victory could also prove crucial in maintaining a high position in the October Fifa rankings, which will decide the four highest-ranked second-placed teams who will be kept apart in the play-off draw.

Northern Ireland are aiming to reach their first World Cup finals since 1986 and compete in successive major tournaments for the first time in their history.

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Euro 2016 appearance no fluke

O'Neill's men are well on the way to proving their appearance at the Euro 2016 finals in France was no fluke but represented a genuine sustained upturn in their fortunes.

The last three World Cup qualifying meetings between these sides failed to yield a goal, including a 0-0 draw in Prague in the first match of this campaign.

The Czechs enjoyed the better of the possession in the opening quarter but were unable to fashion any clear cut chances and paid the penalty as a double salvo from Evans and Brunt ensured that the home team made it five qualifying wins in a row.

Evans, the subject of interest from Manchester City, Arsenal and Leicester during the summer transfer window, opened the scoring with his second international goal - eight-and-a-half years after his first - in the 28th minute.

Oliver Norwood headed the ball into the area after a corner and with Theodor Gebre Selassie playing Evans onside, the defender beat goalkeeper Tomas Baclik with a backward header.

Chris Brunt's 41st-minute free-kick beat Czech Republic goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik

Evans, more often eulogised as a defensive mainstay, had only made his first competitive appearance of the season against San Marino on Friday, having missed the start of the Premier League season with a hamstring injury.

Brunt made it 2-0 with a stunning 25-yard free-kick which curled round the defensive wall and into the bottom corner, his third international strike and second of the qualifiers.

The left-sided player has more reason than most to hope that his side can qualify for Russia, having missed Euro 2016 with injury.

Two down at the interval, the Czechs were unable to find any inspiration to turn things round in the second half and are now out of contention for World Cup qualification, having not made the finals since 2006.

Northern Ireland retain their proud home record of not having lost a competitive home fixture in Belfast since going down to Portugal in September 2013.

O'Neill's men, who only required a point to clinch second spot, have conceded only two goals in eight matches in this campaign, both away to Germany last year.

No team has scored against the men in green in a home qualifier since Greece were dispatched 3-1 in October 2015 in the match which secured Euro 2016 qualification.

Man of the match - Jonny Evans (Northern Ireland)

The West Brom skipper was outstanding again, adding a rare but precious goal to his customary assured defensive display

What's next

Germany can confirm their automatic qualification by avoiding defeat against Northern Ireland in Belfast on Thursday, 5 October while Michael O'Neill's men wrap up their Group C fixtures away to Norway three days later.